Aaron Young, a farmer of Mt. Pleasant Township, resident on section 12, was born Aug. 1, 1830 in Benton, Columbia Co., PA and is the son of Abraham and Ann (Peterman) Young. The former was a native of NJ and the latter of PA, where their marriage took place and where they located and reared their family. The father died in the Keystone State, and the mother has never left the place, where all her life has been spent. Their seven children were Thomas W., John K., Amanda, Mercy A., Aaron, Sarah and Abraham P. All attained to adult age.

When he was of age Mr. Young came West. He left his native State in the spring of 1852 and located at Dixon, Lee Co. IL where he remained until his removal from there to Whiteside County, an event which occurred in the spring of 1859. He then engaged in farming and about 1863 he purchased 120 acres of land on section 12, where he established his homestead, and has since maintained his residence there. He has added 53 acres by subsequent purchase, constituting an estate of 173 acres on which he has erected fine farm buildings.

Mr. Young was educated primarily in the common schools of his native county, and also passed nearly two years in study at Rock River Seminary, after coming to Lee County. He taught several terms of school while living at Dixon, and he also worked as a carpenter during his residence there.

He was united in marriage in Sterling IL, April 1, 1858, to Rhoda E. Gardner, and their family of six children are named Lester C., Helen A., Mary E., Dora A., Clara M. and Marcia L. Mrs. Young was born April 4, 1834 in Luzerne Co., PA and is the daughter of Asahel adn Rebecca (Colvin) Gardner, the former a native of Rhode Island, the latter of PA. They had four children - Almira, Adaline, Esther and Rhoda. Mrs. young attended the district schools of her native county until she was 15 years of age and after that she was a student about two years ad Madison Academy in Luzerne County. After completing her education she engaged in teaching, with successful results, and was occupied in that vocation until her marriage. She came to Whiteside County in 1857.

Mr. young affiliates with the Democratic party, and has acted in several official position in his township.

Portrait and Biographical Whiteside Co IL 1885 Pg 469