Y Biographies, Tazewell County, IL Genealogy Trails

Charles Young, a Justice of the Peace in Pekin, was born at Athol Mass., Dec 4 1818. His ancestors were natives of the same state, and, like most of the loyal sons of that grand old common-wealth, fought in the Revolution. Both of his grandfathers, electrified by the burning words and matchless eloquence of the immortal Patrick Henry, sprang to arms at the first call for troops, and fought tell the close of the war. Charles was sent to Brattleboro, Vt., where he received an academic education. We next find him in New York, where is 1841, he united his destiny with the accomplished Miss Read, who, however, lived but a few years. About 1840, Mr. Young joined the New York Malitia, where, for his commanding presence and military bearing, he was commissioned by Wm. H. Seward, a Lieutenant in the Light Artillery. Leaving New York, he went South, where he traveled extensively, and at the beginning of the war in 1860, he left New Orleans and came to Pekin. He was married in 1852 to Henrietta Hanaghan, who died in 1872, and who was the mother of his six children.

(Charles wife’s name was Henrietta Monaghan.)

Theodore S. Young, constable, Pekin, was born in Elm Grove Township, Tazewell County, November 14, 1846, the son of John S. and Margaret L. (Wilson) Young. The former was born in Athol Mass, November 10, 1816 and the latter, in Ohio, January 14, 1818. The mother came to Illinois with her parents in 1820, the country at that time being monopolized by the Indians, and her family were the first white people to locate in that section of the State. Her father, Seth Wilson, made a journey on horseback from the Tazewell County to Ohio that he might bring sprouts to his home in the wilderness for the planting of a fruit orchard.

Theodore S. Young received as good an education as the pioneer schools of that early day afforded, and remained on the parental homestead until he was twenty-four years of age, when he married Stella E Richardson, by whom he had one child, William T., born Nov. 28 1873. Mrs. Young died December 27, 1887, and on May 30, 1889, Mr. Young married, as his second wife, Miss Lena Brower, who was born in Pekin, Ill., June 30, 1870; of this union there is one child, Anna Bell, born March 13, 1891. In 1873 Mr. Young removed to Pekin where for ten years he was engaged in the teaming and express business but later he disposed of the bus and express line, and for four years, devoted his attention entirely to teaming. This also he was obliged to relinquish, as he sustained a serous injury in a runaway accident. In political sentiment Mr. Young is a Democrat; has served as Alderman one term, and was elected Constable in 1892, holding the latter position continuous to the present time (1904).