John Young (pioneer)

John Young (March 8, 1764 – 1825) was an American surveyor and pioneer. He is best known as the founder of Youngstown, Ohio, a village that eventually became one of the nation's largest steel producers.[1]

For other people with the same name, see John Young (disambiguation).
John Young
John Young
Born(1764-03-08)March 8, 1764
Peterborough, New Hampshire
Died1825 (aged 60–61)
NationalityAmerican
Occupationsurveyor
Known forFounder of Youngstown, Ohio

Early years

John Young was born in Peterborough, New Hampshire and moved to Whitestown, New York, where he married Mary Stone White, the daughter of Whitestown's founder, Hugh White. In 1796, John Young moved with his wife and their son, John Young Jr. to what would become Ohio while he surveyed the area, and settled there soon after.[1] Also in 1796, Young and a party of surveyors made their first visit to the future site of Youngstown, Ohio, an area that Young had considered purchasing.[2] On February 9, 1797, he purchased the entire township of 15,560 acres (63 km²) from the Western Reserve Land Company for $16,085 [3] through a land contact, though the official conveyance was not completed until April 9, 1800, as Young and the Western Reserve Land Company were still negotiating.[2] The 1797 establishment of the town was officially recorded on August 19, 1802.[4] Young lived in the area from 1799 to 1803.[1]

Pioneer in Ohio and return to New York State

The Youngs' had their son George during their time in Ohio, but they eventually returned to Whitestown due to Mary's health in 1803.

Death and legacy

Young died in Whitestown in 1825.[5]

The Youngs' had three sons, John Young Jr (1794-1875), who later became a Commodore in the United States Navy, William Clark Young (1799-1893), US Army Colonel and surveyor and George Young (1796-1828).[5]

References
  1. "Builders of Youngstown: John Young". The Youngstown Daily Vindicator. October 13, 1924.
  2. Butler, Joseph G. (1921). History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Ohio. Chicago and New York, American Historical Society. p. 92.
  3. Aley, Howard C. (1975). A Heritage to Share: The Bicentennial History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Youngstown, OH: The Bicentennial Commission of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio. pp. 28–29.
  4. Blue, Frederick J.; et al. (1995). Mahoning Memories: A History of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company. pp. 15–16. ISBN 0-89865-944-2.
  5. "Re: Young founder of Youngstown, Ohio". Genforum.genealogy.com. Retrieved November 30, 2012.


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