Young, William Hamilton Family (Ham)

YOUNG, CUMSTOCK, EDWARDS

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/12/2019 at 08:45:56

BIOGRAPHY ~ WILLIAM HAMILTON "HAM" YOUNG

Reflections of Grand River, Iowa: 1881 - 1981
Clarke Pub. Co. p. 318. Osceola IA. 1981.

Biographical Sketch of William Hamilton Young from the Grand River Local newpaper (sic) dated December 24, 1896.

We have a few facts concerning the life of William Hamilton Young, one of Decatur County's pioneer settlers. Although blind, he has raised a family of four children who are all industrious, hard working citizens.

Ham, as he is commonly called was born in Jackson County, Ind. Nov. 20, 1831. At the age of 12 years, he was seized with num palsy and the physician who attended on him gave him an overdose of Strychnine which came near proving fatal, but after loosing his eyesight he began to get better and was soon enjoying good health with the exception of being blind.

Just after coming to this county, he attended the blind school in Indianapolis for eight months during which time he learned to read and was given instructions in basket and broom making. In the spring of 1852, in company with his father's family, including his brothers, with wagon drawn by oxen, started westward overland to the Hawkeye State. They landed in Decatur City, then the county seat of Decatur County, June the 7th of the same summer. Mr. Young gives a description of Decatur City as follows; "Only one house in the city and that was a log house and was not finished, not even doors or windows in it, and only one man inhabited the town, which was James Briton, the County Surveyor. He had what they called a "wecky up" to live in, with a large box filled with hay for a bed. He also used his saddle for a pillow and blanket for cover." After camping over night there, next morning they moved about ten miles south to what was called "Miller Settlement," where the family remained a few days while Ham's father was looking for a location. He finally purchased claims here in Richland Twp. where they commenced to make their future home. Here they lived and prospered until some of the famiy began to scatter out.

Ham left his father's place when he was 26 years old and went to live with his brother, J.D., and helped him clear and improve his home. Then he began to raise broom corn and make brooms, which he sold all over the county, where there was a demand, at a price which he himself adopted which was $3.00 per dozen, and has maintained up to the present time.

In 1859, he was married to Nancy M. Cumstock (sic), who had a small farm where they moved and began building up their future home. To this union five children were born, three boys and two girls. The boys were named Albert, the eldest son, only lived ten months. The remaining four are still among the living. Mr. Young raised stock, farmed and made brooms, although deprived of his eyesight, and succeeded in raising his family and giving them a common school education.

In 1883, darkness was thrown around the home by the death of Mrs. Young; a kind and loving mother, a model wife and everybody's friend. However, Mr. Young, with the children, continued to prosper till 1892, when again the home was interrupted by the marriage of the youngest daughter who had been their housekeeper for several years. This time Mr. Young secured B. J. Ladd, a steady young man, to live with them. For over two years they batched and run the farm. Mr. YOung says they ate their own cooking, made their own beds and had a splended time, but says that he began thinking that they would enjoy life better if they had a woman to look after the domestic affairs and in Oct. 1894, he married Eliza J. Edwards. They are happily matched and are as well contented as children in a strawberry patch. Mr. Young still makes brooms although the modern improved machinery has changed the style of brooms and made them much harder to make by hand. He makes 15 a day and guarantees them to be as good as any broom on the market.

He relates many instances that occured to him, he never missed attending the Baptist Church each Sunday, using his Bible done in braille, both the Old Testament and New Testament. It seems almost impossible for a blind man to do the different kinds of work that he has done; such as digging wells, cutting wood, teaming and many other things. However, he has neighbors that are witnesses to the facts. He is a man that is known far and near and has the pleasure of being on good terms with everybody he meets. He knows all his neighbors as quick as they speak and enjoys listening to or engaging in coversations on the great political questions of the day as well as any man with good eyesight.

NOTE: Ham young died in 1920. Nancy Melvina (Comstock) Young was born in 1829, and died in 1883. They were interred at Young Cemetery east of Grand River. Photograph from "Reflections of Grand River, Ia. 1881-198"

Copied from "Reflections of Grand River, Ia. 1881-1981" by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
My great great grandfather's older brother.

William Hamilton "Ham" Young family page