Rev. David G. Young, born in New York in 1829 and orphaned as a young boy, today enlists in Company D, Eighty-first Regiment Illinois Infantry. During his service he spends time in Confederate prisons and falls victim to yellow fever. Yet he survives the war, in the post-war era serving for a number of years in the Northern Baptist ministry.
Rev. David G. Young, ex-circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder of Dade County, Mo., now residing one and a half miles north of Greenfield, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., in 1829, and is the son of Uriah and Phoebe (Gregory) Young. David G. Young was left an orphan when a small boy, and he was then taken by his uncle, William B. Young, who had married a sister of Phoebe (Gregory) Young. About 1836 David Young went to Genesee County, Mich., and it was here he grew to manhood. In 1855 he married Miss Margaret Pratt, who was born in Shiawassee County, Mich., in 1831, and to this union was born one child, Margaret, who is now the wife of Milton Holly, of Millbrook, Mich. After one year of married life Mr. Young was left a widower, and, in 1857, he engaged in the teacher’s profession, which he continued for some time in Williamson County, Ill. In 1861 he married Miss. Amanda E. Roberts, who was born in Williamson County, Ill. Nine children were the fruits of this union, seven now living: Emily, John C., William E., Susie, James, Clarence and Ida. August 12, 1862, Mr. Young enlisted in Company D, Eighty-first Regiment Illinois Infantry, and was in the fight at Port Gibson, Raymond, Vicksburg; was in the Red River expedition, and was in the fight at Guntown. At the last mentioned action he was captured, was in the prison at Macon, Ga., for six weeks, Savannah six weeks, was at Charleston, S. C. one month; and, while at the last-mentioned place, had the yellow fever. During the winter of 1864-65 he was at Columbia, and, in March of the last-mentioned year, he was exchanged, sent to Annapolis, Md., and was granted leave of absence. He then went to St. Louis, where he was discharged. In the battle of Raymond he was wounded in the left leg by a minie ball, and was disabled for some time. He at first entered the service as a private, but was promoted through all the different ranks to that of captain, being commissioned such May 22, 1863. In 1865 he was elected county superintendent of schools of Williamson County, and served four years. In 1870 he removed to Dade County, Mo., settling in Cedar Township, and, in 1874, was elected circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder. In 1878 he was re-elected, and served in all eight years. At the age of eighteen he was converted, and in 1859 he was licensed to preach the missionary doctrine. He had charge of four churches in Williamson County, erected the Baptist Church in Marion, Ill., and was pastor of that church when he came to Dade County. He has had charge of five churches in Dade County, and organized the Baptist Church at Greenfield. Rev. David G. Young is one of Dade County’s most highly esteemed citizens. He is the owner of 200 acres of land, and is a well-to-do farmer. In politics he is a Greenback-Prohibitionist. His official and private life has been one of purity and above reproach.
Source: History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties, Missouri, Chicago: Goodspeed, 1889; pgs. 847-848 (link)
