My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM B. YOUNG has been a resident of Chautauqua county for nearly three-quarters of a century, and his fund of reminiscences, if compiled and placed in book form, would make an interesting volume. He is a son of Charles P. and Rebecca (Higbee) Young, and was born in the town of Chautauqua, Chautauqua county, New York, August 29, 1817. Joseph Young, the grandfather, of subject, was a native of Long Island, this State. He was an accomplished cabinetmaker and joiner, which he followed after his removal to Herkimer county, He was twice married, first to Chloe Griswold, and later to Elizabeth Short, both of whom bore him a total of fourteen children. They have all passed away excepting one, a child by his last wife. All lived to an advanced age, longevity being a family trait. He was a member of the Methodist church and died in 1837. Sylvester Higbee (maternal grandfather) came from Connecticut to the town of Ellery, where he died, was a deacon in the Baptist church and a whig. His wife was Esther Hines, by whom he reared fourteen children. Charles P. Young (father) was born in 1790 at Killingworth, Conn., and after a brief residence in both Herkimer and St. Lawrence counties he came to Chautauqua town in 1812 and settled a short distance from Mayville, but in 1836 he moved over into Westfield, and again, in 1845, into Ripley, where he has since lived. His son, William, bought a farm of seventy one acres, upon which it is supposed an Indian fort had stood. From graves and mounds Mr. Young secured a collection of Indian relics of extraordinary value. He was a democrat and served the town of Chautauqua two terms as justice of the peace. He was a prominent member of the Methodist church, and helped to organize the first M. E. society at Mayville, being the recording steward. He was also a soldier in the War of 1812. He married, first Rebecca Higbee, and had eight children who grew to maturity, but all are now dead, except four: Julia, married Harmon C. Wade, a farmer at Madison, Ohio; Maria L., lives in Ripley, and is the wife of Philip A. Rice, who was formerly a wagon-maker but is now a farmer; Rebecca H., widow of Samuel P. Howard; and William B. For his second wife he united in marriage with Polly Hammond. He died on January 8, 1883.

William B. Young was reared on his father’s farm, and being the oldest son was accorded but poor educational advantages, his services being needed at home. Through many adversities he managed to acquire enough, coupled to his natural bright intellect, to carry him successfully through life, and then learned the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked until 1846. He rebuilt a saw-mill, and operated it for twenty-five years while timber was plentiful, and then disposing of it he engaged in farming and growing grapes which he has since pursued. The property is beautifully located on the shore of Lake Erie, and includes a vineyard of seven and one-half acres.

On December 25, 1846, he married Julia Beadle, a daughter of Hoel Beadle, who was born March 20, 1820, and died May 10, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of three children, one son and two daughters: Julia A., born July 12, 1849, married Edwin M. Conley, who is a prosperous and well-known farmer in the town of Ripley — they have one son, Charles, and two daughters, Bessie and Julia; Mary S., born January 27, 1854; and William A., born June 4, 1859.

W. B. Young has seen many changes in this great county. The first census taken after his advent into the county showed a population of twelve thousand, five hundred and sixty-eight souls; to-day it probably exceeds ten times that number; then the traveler found himself surrounded by almost boundless forests, bumping over rough and muddy roads with only the comforts of an old springless stage-coach; to-day he can glide through the broad acres of fine farms on rails as smooth as a glare of ice, enjoying the luxuries scarcely afforded by the finest palaces. Education has taken the place of ignorance, and many virtues have superseded old-time vices. Mr. Young is a democrat and served as excise commissioner for three years. He is a genial and entertaining old gentleman, and to visit him is a pleasure.