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5
S
PHI OF M EARLY SETTLERS
Sketches of the Lives of Lewis Harvev Young and His Wife,
Mrs. Sarah Young.
5 mvio..., ,i- I.nl.'f ItHsll S. IUiiiM'1'. sslslel by their n. Jhmht M. Vouiml X
DIKD Al his home in
plallsmoulh, Cass fount y,
Nebraska, on November 29,
I'll) 1, at 7 o'clock a. mi., of u
general breaking down of Hie
system. 1 1 m-i 1 1 1 to olil aye,
Lewis Harvey Young, aged 8(1
years 5 1 1 h n 1 1 1 s and 25 days.
for an octogenarian, Mr. Young
ha- always been i paralivcly,
free from sickness until N'ovi m
bcr 19. 1903, while temporarily
visit iitif al Carroll, Wayne county,
Nell., he suffered a stroke oT
paralysis. From this he partial
ly recovered and in February,
lllOi, he was removed lo Plalls
nioull), in the hope of being bene
fitted by a change in medical
treatment. For a I ime bis con
dition improved until lie was able
to walk around. Hut about the
middle of last. November be be
gan to row worse and it was soon
apparent that from Hie effects of
I be paralytic stroke and bis ureal
weight of years, life with him was
only a matter of a few days at
v, ami
City of
o Vera
A I the
most.
- : '': '"-" .
I " - ' , ,
Lewis Harvey Young.
His Early Life.
Lewis II. Young was born in
Floyd county Kentucky, on June
4, 182 i, being the seventh child
of a family of fourteen children.
His father ami mother were
Charles and Margaret Young, ami
bis early ancestors were among
Ibe Hist settlers of Virginia, in
common with others, braving all
the perils and dangers of pioneer
life among wild animals and even
more savage men - the Indians.
Mr. Young; remained in the
county of bis birth until 1811,
when 17 years old. In that year
he accompanied his parents lo
Matte county, Missouri, where the
family settled on land belonging
to what is known as the Plalle
Purchase. Here he remained un
til I In fall of IKti, when, in com
pany with his mother and other
children of the family, he remov
ed to Nodaway county, Missouri,
his father having died where the
family llrsl settled in that slate,
in the fall of I8t:i. At his home
in Nodaway county, on a farm,
Mr. Young remained until the year
1817, when tie enlisted as a
soldier in the war with Mexico and
served until (tie fall of 1818, when
lie was mustered out of the service
at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. He re
turned to Nodaway county, Mis
ftnuri, where he improved and
farmed a valuable Iract of land
near While ('loud.
Affected With Gold Fever.
The California gold fever of
1810 had already affected Hie
astern states, causing many to
lake the overland trip to the
Sacramento valley. II spread
westward to Missouri and in 1850
caught Mr. Young, who, with nn
ox team, crossed the plains and
mountain for the New F.blorado.
It was an all summer's trip, more
than half a century ago, but with
nhl-fashioned. pioneer grit our
subject, after months of "rough
iug it," finally landed on the
golden shores of Hie Pacific in the
early autumn of 1859. Hut the
(fold hope proved ipiite different
from the realistic, and in July,
1851, Mr. Young turned home
ward by sail boat, being on the
ocean some twenty-eight days,
landing at Acapulco, Mexico. Al
this place, with 'thirteen others,
they chartered a pack train, then
the principal meant of convey
ance across rougn cm
went overland to the
Mexico ami from there
Cruz bv freight wagons
latter place Mr. Young, with his
companions, took a sail boat, and
after encountering numerous
storms, dually crossed I he Culf of
Mexico and landed at New Orleans.
From t he latter place our sub
ject traveled iv .steamboat up the
Mississippi and Missouri rivers
and finally arrived al (Ilenwood,
Mills county, Iowa, on November
7, 1 K r, 1 .
I Miring Mr. Young's absence,
bis family, in company with
Isaac K. and Harvey Mcliroom,
bad removed from Nodaway coun
ty, Missouri, and located near
(ilenwood, Iowa. Iuring Mr.
Young's residence al, the latter
place on March 15 and Hi, 1 K r i
the confederate tribes of Indians
Hie Omaha and Otoes ceded to
the United Stales all their lands
west of the Missouri river, except,
a small reservation on the waters
of the l!ig Hliie river. Our sub
ject and his most estimable wife
were present at Mellevue when
Ibis treaty was signed, having
crosed the Missouri river on a Hat,
boat, then owned ami operated by
Peter A. Sarpy, the noted French
Indian trader. After the formal
ities of the treaty were concluded
Mr. Young' and bis wife returned
to their farm near ('ilenwood,
when' they remained until .June of
I he same year 1851. At this
lime Mr. Young recrossed Ho
Missouri river at out Kanostia, a
point a short distance south of
the present village of Hock Bluffs,
n Mil look up a timber claim some
three miles from the river. Dur
ing that summer fifty years ago
--our subject erected a log
cabin and broke out a few acres
of land on bis claim, lie return
ed lo his family in Iowa, where he
remained during the winter of
1851-5, and in March following
1855, removed bis family lo their
new home, when be commenced
improving bis prairie pre-empl ion
claim, known as "pre-emption
certificate No. :t:i.' Upon this
he made permanent settlement
ami improvements, his first house
being constructed of logs, the
windows and doors ami nearly all
the building material being
brought from (Ilenwood, as there
were no saw mills then in opera
lion on the west side of Ibe Mis
souri river.
It was in Ibis pioneer home
one or Hie llrsl in I. ass counlv,
where Mr. Y'oung lived so many
vears and where he reared his
familv, and, in fact, where all ex
cept the two eldest were born and
grew lo manhood and womanhood.
Joseph .Mcliroom, who were
i among the early pioneer settlers
To Ibis marriage seven chil
dren were born Jasper M., born
March IS. 185.1; Myron K., born
November 11, 185 S, both sons
born at (ilenwood. Mills county,
Iowa. Hosa 11., burn September
28. 85ti; Joanna J., (now dead1,
born November 15, 1858; Kddie,
born December 8, 1 K 1 ; Luella A.,
born April ."Ml, 18t'(i; Jennie P.,
' now dead I , born August 23, H7u.
With the exception of tile two
children first named, all the
others were born on the old
pioneer homestead between Hock
Willi's ami the dace for many
years known as "Three droves.'
Itesides the live children nam
ed, Mr. Y'oung left surviving, bis
widow, Mrs, Sarah Young; two
sisters, Mrs. Mary 1 5 u s I of
Franklin. Franklin county, Ne
braska, and Mrs. Clara Campbell
of lllair, Washington county. Ne
braska; ami one brother, Mr.
Francis Young of Murray, Cass
county, Nebraska.
Last Sad Obsequies.
On Thursday, December
tlHli. al 1 1 o clock a. m., al
amily home in Plat t smnul b
ral services were held. Tin
t.
Hi.'
fun-long
resilience ol deceased mi (,ass
county, his extended acquaintance
and the universal esteem in which
he was held, attracted large num
bers, particularly of the old
pioneer settlers, to pay their last
tribute of respect and love to the
honored dead.
The d ased bad been for
many vears a member of the Hen
Franklin post, (irand Army of the
Hepuhlic, at Franklin, Neb., and
Ibe Ilelief Corps sent, most beauti
ful floral tributes.
Services at the house were con
dueled by Hev. Charles W. Savidge
of Omaha of Ibe People's church,
assisted by Hev. David A. Youizy
of the Christian church of Plalts
inoiilh. Hev. Savidge delivered a
most appropriate and instructive
sei
ner tioioe witti li'-i son, liyron K.
Y'oung. al and for some time
pi i.ius to her demise, at Carroll.
Wayne counlv, Nebraska, and al
though .-eve ral years past the
octogenarian period, had general
ly enjoyed fairly g I health until
la-t February, when sin- was
forced to surrender to the in
firmities and weight of years. Hut
with the aid of loving and devoted
children. Mrs. Young was able to
be up and around I be bouse tint il
Auiiii-t I fill. I'M 1. when she was
eon-pel
live days
peacefully
into that
slumber.
to take her bed. where
afterward she calmly.
Ulsseil
and hopefully
mysterious.
e
l III e
I : -. .... .
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families were carefully read by
pan nt and ch'M. the Mcltrooin
fa: i.. i i I . l siei.il a!t .-ntion to
Ihe-e v rv ,n!e l l. ean- of
education, so (bat lh- ehi'dren
had i'i'!v -i h . en ic; : itmal ad
van!. .v--' a- we: e pus -ibie in a
wild, sparsely settled and unde
veo,.i d eoiiiiiry. Hut these limit
ed educational advantages were
well i"-pi-oved by the M'-Hmom
children to (be extent l:iat lln-y
were eon- ider -il f.lirly well
educated. ollsiib-ring Ibejr very
limited advantages. Mrs. Young
particularly showed in conversa
tion how veil sin- bad improved
her very limited educational ad
vantages. She was in. I only a
general reader, but a good n-ason-
ei- ..- -.yell.
Tin- writer recalls with much
pleasure his first aeiuainlauce
with Mr. and Mrs. Young and
Hieir
1 1 1 1 i 1 1
v, lien
.f lb
est imable family. This was
the winter of I8til-ti7.
! v. as -1 . -t 1 1 1 ed as teacher
dist rict si hoot of I In- dis-
Freighter on the Plains.
In 185!) Mr. Young, in company
with a number of other pioneer
settlers, started on a freighting
expedition lo Denver, Colorado,
with horse teams. When llfty
miles beyond old Fort Kearney
less than half wav lo Denver the
freighters became discouraged at
the outlook ahead the ureal
danger of losing freight and
I en ins, as well as lives, by
marauding Indians and returned
home.
During the winter of 1 802-3,
Mr. Young, with others, again at
tempted with horse teams to make
Denver with freight, in which the
parties were successful. Although
hostile Indians were almost daily
committing depredations on
freight trains murdering and
robbing: yet our subject with his
companions, after a number of
bad scares and nn row escanes.
safely completed the round trip of
about 1,200 miles in two months
In the Indian War of 1864.
During the year IRlH, and for
some time previous, the indians
became so dangerous to settlers
and freighters that the First Ne
braska militia was organized for
protection of the frontier. In the
organization of the militia. Com
pany H was made a part thereof
and Isaac Wiles, now residing
near Plattsmonth at the ndvancet
aged of 74, was made its captain
I'mler Captain Wiles our subject
served six months, when the In
ill n n troubles having quieted
down, the militia returned In their
homes.
Marriage.
On May 3. 1819, near Savannah
Missouri, Mr. Young was united
in marriage lo Miss Sarah Mc-
Hroom, daughter of Mr. and Mrs
from Fphesians 5 : 1 (1.
The Methodist choir, composed
of Mrs. Ililt Wescolt, Miss Kdna
Petersen, Messrs. C. S. Polk and
C. C. Wescolt, most louchingly
and impressively rendered the fol
lowing beautiful selections;
"(lather Homeward, One by One,"
"It Is Well With Mv Soul," "1
Love to Tell the Story."
The pall-bearers, consisting of
old-time, intimate and pioneer
friends of deceased, were Messrs.
Hasil S. Hamsey, Solomon Long,
John Cory, Levi Churchill, Wil
liam T. Cole and Columbus C.
Despain, who sadly bore to the
Young: cemetery I he family
burial ground all thai remained
mortal of their old friend.
Here, surrounded by falling
leaf, withered verdure and
autumnal decay, typical of him
w ho had just fallen in I he
shadows of great age, in the pres
ence of a large concourse of
friends of deceased, the last scene
of life closed amid profound
sorrow and falling- tear.
Closing Tribute.
Lewis II. Young: had rounded
out a venerable ag;e. lie had seen
life in many of its various phases.
A child pioneer in the wilds of
Kentucky; a young man pioneer
in Missouri and Iowa, and when
near middle age, a pioneer settler
in Cass county, Nebraska.
A half century ago lie had seen
the council of Omaha and Otoe
Indians at Hellevue, when Ne
braska became the properly of the
pale face. During a half century
he had lived to sec. he "old over
land route to the Pacillc," trans
planted by numerous railway lines
and the old overland trip to the
ocean . of months reduced to a few
hours. He had seen Nebraska or
ganized into territory into state
hood, and Anally developed into
one of the greatest slates in
wealth, intelligence and power in
the American union.
Lewis II. Young; was of a most
genial and social nature, an ideal
husband and father, and a devoted
Mrs. Sirah Young.
Biographical.
Mrs. Sarah Young was born
near I'rcslnuburg', in Floyd coun
lv, Kenluckv. mi February 2 "2 ml,
1825, and her maiden name was
Miss Sarah McHroom.
I!iv father. Joseph McHroom,
was born December 2!Mh, IT'.M. in
Virginia, and died September lllh,
t8.;8. al Cra'-vfordsv ilie. Indiana.
Her mother, Mrs. Phoebe Me
Hroom. was born in Virginia Jan
lar 22nd, 1 7H2, ami died al Ibe
old Lewis Young farm, near Mur-i-iiv,
Cass counly, Nebraska, Feb
ruary !lb, 1805.
In the order of birth, Mrs.
Young's brothers and sisters are
as follows:
William Mc-lti-iiou), born April
28. 1815, and died October 25.
18'.):!, at Danv ille, Illinois.
Hebeeca Young, born September
11, 1817, died al Hie old William
Young farm, near Murray. Cass
county, Nebraska. February 1ft,
18C)5. (Mrs. Hebeeca Young was
the mother of David A. Young,
now living near Murray, Cass
county. Nebraska) .
Andrew McHroom. born Decem
ber i. 1811); died at Fort Larimie,
Wyoming, September 2, 1851.
John McHroom. born July 2(1,
1822; died at Fort Logan, near
Denver, Colorado, January 15,
18111.
Next in order of birth is Mrs.
Sarah Young, the subject of this
sketch.
Isaac McHroom, born April 22,
18.'10, and now resides near Den
ver, Colorado, lie is the only child
of this interesting Kentucky
pioneer family now living.
lames II. McHroom was born
February 18, 1835; died at Fort
Logan, near Denvee, Colorado,
September 18, 1888.
Joseph McHroom and wife, Mrs.
Phoebe McHroom. as slated, wert
natives of Virginia and were born
a few years after the close of the
llevolutionary war. They grew up
among the pioneer settlers of the
dense forests and rugged hills of
Old Virginia.
A new nation the 1'niled
Slates had only been founded on
the great wesiern hemisphere n
few years, but even then, "the star
of empire was moving westward."
Pioneer settlers of western Penn
sylvania and of Virginia wen1
pressing westward into Indiana,
Illinois and Kentucky. The Mc
Hrooins left their pioneer home in
lover of home, and family. As a Virginia, crossed over into eastern
neighbor and friend he was uni
versally respected and loved.
Scrupulously honest in all his
dealings, he commanded implicit
and universal confidence.
Mr. Young was a Christian by
alllliation and profession, as well
as by nature. For more than forty
years he had been an exemplary
and devout member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and
passed into his final rest with
most implicit confidence and faith
in the tenets of that church.
DIKD At Carroll. Wayne
counly, Nebraska, on Wed
nesday, August Ifith, 11)11.
at 8:30 p. m of intlrinities
incident to old age, Mrs.
Sarah Young, aged 8rt years
5 months and 21 davs.
Mrs. Young had been making
Kentucky and settled in Floyd
county. Here the familv located.
braving all the perils ami danger
from wild animals and even wilder
and more bloodthirsty savage In
dians. Here, in the wild, dense
forests of Floyd county. Kentucky
nearly 87 years ago, Mrs. Sarah
Young, Hie Hflti child of a family
oT seven children, tlrsl saw the
light of day, ami where she grew
into that character of attractive
and loveable young womanhood
which, as years passed away, de
veloped into that good and noble
type of mature womanhood which
attracts and makes friends with
everyone.
In her girlhood davs Mrs
Young did not have the advant
ages of an education in the free
public schools. At that time free
public schools in any of the I'nited
State were almost unknown, and
especially in Kentucky. Hut Hie
few books owned by these pioneer
tricl in which Mr. Young had
laker Lis tiiiibe- claim in June,
185 'i, and upon which he bad built
a i - -ufoi'lable pioneer borne ami
win -e de family resided at that
lime.
This oin pioneer home is only
a few miles southeast of Murrav
Cass county. Nebraska, and about
three miles from the old village
of Kenosha, in the same county.
The teacher at that time was
usually paid so much in cash and
"board around" free of charge, or
paid the same price and board
himself. The writer chose the
former, and thus, at P-ast during
the term of school, became a
member of each family In tb dis
trict, and where, wilhoul excep
tion, he was alwavs received and
treated wilh the greatest kindness,
eonrlesv and hospitality.
The home of the Young family
was but a short distance front the
old school bouse, and it is pos
sible that the teacher boarded and
lodged there more than the pro-nnt-t
innate share of this family.
Hut Ibe teacher never beard any
complaints and was always given
a cordial and hearty welcome to
Ibis pioneer home, by both Mr.
and Mrs. Young and the children.
Of the latter. Jasper, Myron, Rosa,
Joanna and Fiblie were at lending
Hie school.
It was in this pioneer home in
Cass counlv, Nebraska. 45 years
ago. that the writer formed an ac-nnaintam-e
and friendship with
this most estimable family that
has remained unbroken, except bv
death. It was in this home that.
Ho writer lirst observed the noble
traits of character, of woman
hood, of wifehood, of motherhood,
which adorned and made beauti
ful Mrs. Sarah Young, the subject
of this sketch. The writer also
recalls Ibe many pleasant even
i igs spent with Mr. and Mrs.
Y'oung during the two winters
18(H')-ti7. 1 8()7-fiK he laugh!
their district school and how he
became deeply interested in
listening lo Mr. and Mrs. Young
lell of their obi respective pioneer
homes in Floyd counly, Kenlucky,
and in Cass county, Nebraska.
Mrs. Young was especially in
teresting, as she seemed lo have
not only a retentive menfory. but
could describe old pioneer life,
with its manv (rials and scenes.
in a way that most deeply in
lerested the listener. Of course,
at Ibis particular lime, Mrs.
Yo'-'ur "as in Hie prime of life.
liein-J1 onlv about It years old, and
her husband a year older.
Marriage.
On May 3. 18111, at the aue of
, Miss Sarah McHroom, near
Savannah, Andrew county, Mis
souri, was united in marirage to
Mr. I.evvis Harvey Y'oung, who was
then 25 years old, ami wim was
also a pioneer of Floyd county,
Kentucky, having been born in
that counly on June 4, 1821.
ro this union seven children
were horn, in ine oruer oi nirui
as follows:
Jasper Marion, born March 19,
1853, near (Ilenwood, Mills coun
ty, Iowa: married Martha K. F.st-
lack and resides at Platlsmouth,
Cass county, Nebraska. No issue.
Hyron F... born November 13,
11151, near (Ilenwood, Mills coun
ty, Iowa; unmarried and resides at
Carroll. Wayne county, Nebraska.
Hosa H.. born September 28,
185(i. on the old Young home
stead, near Murray. Cass county,
Nebraska: marriei' Kdwanl F..
IriOi; married Kuinia Heath and
resides p.l Carroll, Wayne county.
N.-l.. ;..-!;;?. Us,,, . ind Meii-
i -e. who a: tv.i.is; Hernard,
K- nest and Fd;rar.
I. iella A., born April 3o. 1864,
at the old Young home pear Mur
ray; married William H. Olm
slead and resides al Carroll,
W ay in- county . Nebraska. No
issue.
J.-n-'ie P.. born August 23. 1870.
at the old Young home near Mur
ray. I lied :'(! eeiber 11, 1 872.
Funeral Services at Carroll.
On Friday, August 18, 191 '. at
12 o'clock m., short funeral
services were liebl'at the home of
per son. isyroit, ai i.arnui. tiev.
Shacklock of the Methodist
church at that place, delivered an
interesting' and instructive ad
dress on the life and chara'er of
deceased. Tin- singing was by
four little girls from 12 to It)
years oh', and selei lions made by
F.iblie Young and V,r. V. K.
Olmslend. -r:isjsci of "Hock of
Ages" ami "l Is Well Willi My
Soul."
Many "rrowing friends at
tended and beautiful wreaths of
flowers were placed upon the
casket by four ili'Terent lodges,
of which the sons and daughters
of deceased respectively were
members. These lodges were:
The Odd Fellows, Modern Wood
men, Hebeccas and lloyal Neigh
bors. The pall-bearers at Carroll con
sisted of Odd Fellows and per
sonal friends of deceased ami her .
children. They were: John
Keslerson. Hubert Prichard. Wil
liam Jones. Phillip Harris, Cass
Heilford and William Thomas, ami
they conveyed Ibe casket to the
train for shipment to IMatts-
inoulh, and from thence to Mur
ray, Cass counly, Nebraska.
Funeral Services at Murray.
On Saturday, August 11). 1911,
tnderfaker Michael Hild of
Plattsmoulh, and family of de
ceased met the train al Murray,
from which the casket was taken
to the Presbyterian church at that
place for final services over the
loved, cold form of mother, grand
mother, friend.
At 1 1 o'clock a. in. of I bat day
services were conducted by Hev.
W. L. Austin, pastor of the M. E.
church of Plallsinoulh, assisted
by Hev. Williamson, pastor of the
Presbyterian church at Murray.
The addresses of these clergy
men were highly edifying, in
structive and comforting to tlw
sorrowing relatives and friends.
The long, beautiful life-history of
deceased was portrayed in well
chosen words, and many useful
lessons drawn Iherefrom.
A large number altemled the
obseiuies at Murray, among
whom were a number who had
known Mrs. Y'oung since early
settlement on the old Lewis Y'oung
homestead, near Murray.
A quartet composed of Mrs.
James W. Holmes, Mrs. Laura V.
Kennedy and Messrs. O. A. Davis
and Samuel d. Latta. with Mrs.
Dr. (lilmore at the piano, most
beautifully, louchingly and im
pressively, rendered the follow
ing: "Hock of Ages," "Jesus
Lover of My Soul" and "Abide
With Me."
The pall-bearers, selected from
old neighbors and friends, who
had known Mrs. Young for many
years, consisted of Humphrey L.
Oldham, William A. Dull, Oscar
(lupin, Charles II. Hoedeker, Frank
Moore and Henry Creamer.
After the conclusion of the
ceremonies al the church the
funeral cortege slowly moved to
the Young cemetery, near Murray,
where so many of that honored
and pioneer name quietly rest in
that long, dreamless sleep. Here,
beside the husband, Lewis Harvey
Y'oung, who had preceded her to
the (lreat Heyond on November
29, 1901, all that remained mortal
of an aged and noble womanhood,
of a devoted wife, a loved and lov
ing mother and grandmother and
of a true and faithful friend, were
solemnly and sorrowfully laid !o
rest beneath verdure, vine ar.d
flower.
Pipps and resides al Pierce.
Nebraska; Issue
Herbert, I-'va and
Pierce County
(lertie, Harry
l.essie.
Joanna .!.. born November 15,
1858. at II Id Young home near
Murray. Cass county, Nebraska;
married Austin Johnson. Joanna
has but one living child named
Ora, who married Charles Man
ners and resides at Platlsmouth.
Nebraska. Joanna departed this
life September 22. 1903.
Kddie, born at Ibe old Young
home near Muray, on December 8,
Went to Mynard.
A party of ten went to Mynard
yesterday for special services in
the evening at the MethndUt
church. Andy Moore and Jessie
Perry gave a special duet, and
Miss Mollie (ioilwin contributed
several musical numbers, The
others in the party were: Mr. and
Mrs. Trimpc. Miss Kthel Halanee,
Miss Mildred Cook. Miss Amy
Cook. Hugh Cecil and Will Clock.
William Otterstein and son,
Hichard, former residents of this
city, but now residing on a farm
in Kight Mile drove precinct, were
Plattsmonth visitors Saturday.
Mr. Otterstein took time to call at
this' ofllce and renew hi? sub
scription fo the Daily Journal for
a year.
