Thomas Young
SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: BYERS, IRWIN, PORTER, YOUNG
THOMAS YOUNG, who is worthily fulfilling his obligations as an honest man and a good citizen, is successfully engaged in farming pursuits, being the proprietor of sixty acres of finely cultivated land on section 21, in Ayers Township. His early home was many leagues from his present one, being County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born Nov. 12, 1823, and which he left in 1848. He is the son of Thomas and Margaret (BYERS) YOUNG, natives of the same county and of pure Scotch ancestry. The father died on the Atlantic Ocean, of cholera, in May, 1855, on the vessel Charles Crockett, while on his way to this country. The mother afterward joined our subject in Hartford, Conn. There he learned the trade of a machinist, at which he worked seventeen years, and the last five of which he spent in the employ of the Government, manufacturing Sharp’s breech-loading rifles.
Thomas Young, the father of our subject, was an expert weaver of linen fabrics of all kinds, turning out some of the most beautiful patterns that were ever known. He possessed but a limited education but more than ordinary ability, and was very intelligent, keeping himself well informed upon current events. Added to this, his industry combined to gain him the respect of all who knew him. The mother survived until 1873, and died in the city of Hartford. The eight children of the parental family were John, Jane, Margaret, Sarah, Thomas, Nancy, Rebecca, and Edward. The latter during the late war enlisted in a Connecticut regiment, and was killed at the battle near Raleigh, N. C., April 13, 1865. He left a wife and one child.
The first wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Hartford, Conn., in November, 1852, was formerly Miss Matilda IRWIN, a native of his own country, born in 1827, and the daughter of Joseph IRWIN, also a native of Ireland, and now deceased. Of this union there were born three children—Irwin, Arabella and Thomas. The mother of these children departed this life in October, 1863, for a residence in a brighter world. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a lady of great kindness of heart, respected by all who knew her.
The present wife of Mr. Young, to whom he was married in August 1864, at Hartford, Conn., was Mrs. Catherine (BYERS) PORTER, born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1838. The one child of this union was a daughter whom they named Katie, and who is now engaged in teaching school. Mr. Young has filled his niche in life worthily and has fully identified himself with American customs and institutions. As soon as invested with the rights of citizenship, he identified himself with the Republican party, of which he has since remained an adherent. He has officiated as School Trustee besides occupying other positions of responsibility. He is straightforward and upright in his business methods, and may be properly classed among the representative men of his township.