JOHN B. YOUNG, M.D., is prominent not only as one of the leading physicians and druggists of Pope County, but as one of its most successful financiers and business men, and as a progressive farmer and dairyman, has done substantial service in promoting the advancement of agriculture in this section, and has acquired a valuable property by masterly management of is affairs and judicious investment of his funds.The Doctor is of Scottish birth and ancestry, born in Aberdeenshire September 7, 1816. His father, John Young, was born in Iverness, and his parents were life-long residents of Scotland, he being the only member of the family who ever came to America. He learned the trade of a baker, and conducted the business in Aberdeen until 1856, when he came to the United States, and locating in Chicago, he pursued his calling in that city for two years. In 1858 he was joined by his family, and coming to Golconda, he purchased a farm near the village, and devoted himself to agriculture until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Helene Brand, and she was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, while her last years were passed in Golconda. They reared four children, namely: John B., Elizabeth M., Helena and George B.

Our subject laid the foundation of a liberal education in the excelent schools of Aberdeen, which he attended steadily from the time he was old enough until he came to this country, in 1858. It was April 14 of that year that he embarked with his mother, brother and sisters at Aberdeen, on the sailing-vessel "Trans-Atlantic," on that memorable voyage across the oceaen that was to convey im to a new home and strange scenes far from the land of his birth. Landing at Quebec six weeks later, the little family group proceeded directly to Chicago by way of the Grand Trunk railway, to be united once more with the hsuband and father, from whom they had been separated for two years. From there they went by rail to Cairo, and thence by steamer to Golconda. From that time until he was sixteen years old our subject assisted his father on the farm, and gained an intelligent insidhgt into all branches of agricutlure, which he has since found very uselful. The young lad had been watching with keen interest the progress of the war, and at the youthful age mentioned determined to enlist under the banner of his adopted country that he might do what he could to help preserve intact the Government, under whose protection he was to pass his remaining days. He entered the army in 1863 as a member of Company K, One Hudnred Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and mere boy as he was, served with credit to his regiment and with the patriotism of a true-born son of the soil during the five months and twenty days of his term of enlistment, and was honorable discharged at the end of that time. After his return home Dr. Young began to learn the trade of a tinsmith, served an apprenticeship of three years, and then bought the business of his employers, conducted it himself for a few years, and then turning his attention to other interests, has since employed a man to manage it. In 1873 he commenced the stufy of medicine, and in the spring of 1875 waas graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, with a comprehensive knowledge of the profession, and in the course of an extensive practive, upon wich he immediately entered, opening his office at Golconda, he had the practical experience that gives added value to the services of a physician, especially, if, like our subject, he keeps himself well informed in regard to the progress made in the medical world and is quick to take advantage of new discoveries and to adop new methods and measure of treatment when he feels assured of their supeiority over the old.The Doctor is a man of inmate force of character and of great versatility, united with rare exceutive ability and excellent judgment, and his energies are by no means confied to the limitations of his professional duties. He has two well-improved and valuable farms a mle from town, which he devotes to general farming and dair purposed, the farms being under his personal supervision. In 1880 he entered the drug business, which he has conducted ever since, and, as we have seen, controls a good business in the tinsmith line. He keeps these varied interests well in hand, derives from them a handsome income, and is one of the solid, monied men of the county. A citizen of his calibre and standing necessarily exerts a wholesome influence inthe community, and his publi spirit may be counted on to further all plans to promote the public weal. The Doctor is well known and popular in social circles as a member of Lodge No. 131, A.F. & A.M.; of Goldconda Chapater No. 162, R.A.M.; and of Golconda Post No. 362, G.A.R. Our subject enjoyes two of life's richest blessings, a pleanst home and an amiable, companionable wife, to who he was united in married in 1869, Mrs. Young was formerly Alice M. Hoffman, and was born in Golconda, a daughter of Jared and Mary (Holland) Hoffman. Four children, two of who are living, were born to her and our subject, Mary E., and Lul, the elder of whom is the wife of Edward D. Clar,, cashier of the Pope County Bank. Mrs. Young is a woman of refined character and true womanly worth, and her namem is associated with the good work of the Presbyterian Church, of which is a member.

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