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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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OTHO YOUNG, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Downs; born in Madison Co., Ohio, April 1, 1839; he is the son of Joseph Young, who was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, May 26, 1813; he married Julia A. Thomas April 15, 1832; she was born in Madison Co., Ohio, April 5, 1812. Mr. Young learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed until his marriage, when he abandoned his trade and followed farming in Ohio until 1849, when he came to Illinois, and, after looking over the country, returned to Ohio and disposed of his property, and, the following year, came by team with his family, and in the fall of 1851 purchased 230 acres upon Sec. 4, Downs Township, upon which he then located and to which he afterward added 30 more and upon which he lived until his decease; they were the parents of five children, of which three are now living, viz.: John, born Jan. 4, 1836, living in Miami Co., Kansas; Otho, April 1, 1839; Emily, May 25, 1843. Mrs. Young died in McLean Co., July 26, 1867. Mr. Young died Feb. 19, 1878. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years previous to their death, and lived and died consistent Christians. The subject of this sketch attended the common school and assisted his father in farming until 21 years of age, when, on the 16th of May, 1859, he was united in marriage with Susan Mannen; she was born in McLean Co., Ill., May 3, 1840; they were the parents of five children, of whom four are now living — Miles K., born Jan. 21, 1861; Charles J., May 11, 1863; William, Oct. 3, 1867; Belle, March 26, 1870, died May 7, 1877, and Harry L., born May 11, 1878. Upon the marriage of Mr. Young, he purchased his present place of eighty acres, upon which he located and where he has since lived. He and his wife have been members of the M. E. Church for a period of twenty years. Mrs. Young was a daughter of Henry and Susannah (Barnett) Mannen; they were born in Kentucky, and emigrated to Illinois, and located in McLean Co. in 1830.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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