YOUNG, James, capitalist, was born at Swatara Hill, near Middletown, Pa., July 25,1820, descended on both sides from ancestors of means and prominence in pre-revolutionary times. His paternal grandfather appears in colonial records as "Peter Young, Gentleman," and resided during the revolutionary war near Sinking Springs, Berks county, Pa., and, was an active patriot, whose services were recognized by the Continental authorities. He was commissioned, Dec. 14, 1776, second lieutenant in the 3d battalion of Berks county militia, and on May 17, 1777, by the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, second lieutenant in a company of foot, forming part of the 4th battalion of Berks county militia, and May 10, 1780, lieutenant in the 6th battalion of Berks county militia. His maternal grandfather, David Ettla, came to America from Germany about 1756, settled at Middletown, and was one of three commissioners appointed by the king of England to raise the necessary funds for building St. Peter's Lutheran church, at Middletown. The son, James, received a common-school education, and helped his father in the task of hotel-keeping. He was a willing boy, shrewd and ambitious. The little money he earned he saved. With his first hundred dollars he purchased a horse and ran a hack between Hummelstown and Middletown. About that time excitement ran high in state politics, and, being bantered, young James wagered his horse and all that he had on the result of the gubernatorial election. He won the wager, and established a line of two horses and a hack, which he diligently used. After acquiring a few hundred dollars he went to Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pa., and applied for admission as a student. After two weeks he relinquished his studies and returned home. At the age of nineteen years he invested his savings in the purchase of a canal-boat. and employed a captain to run it; but the plan was not found to work well, and before the season closed he took charge of the boat in person, following the business with success, and running for nearly a year between Hollidaysburg and Philadelphia. Upon quitting this enterprise he opened a lumber yard at Middletown, to which he added a coal yard. Soon after engaging in the lumber business, Gen. Simon Cameron, then a banker in Middletown, said to him on one occasion: "I notice you have quite an account in bank, and you seem to be a prosperous young man. If you want any aid at any time I will cheerfully extend it." Not long after this Gen. Cameron resumed the conversation, and said: "I infer that you do not want anything. If you will go to Mr. Nissley's sale and buy ten shares of stock I will make you a director in our bank." This Mr. Young did, was made a director, and remained so for more than thirty years. These incidents illustrate that, although just entering manhood, he had a wise head on young shoulders, and perceived opportunities of which he quickly availed himself. Several business opportunities were offered him in connection with the work of building railroads, extensively prosecuted at that time. During the construction of the Pennsylvania railroad he did a large business in furnishing supplies. For eight years (part of the time being the period of the civil war) he furnished all the ties and wood used by the Pennsylvania railroad company between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. He also furnished all the wood and ties to the Northern central railway company for ten years, before and during the war. When the increased demands upon the facilities growing out of the exigencies of the civil war made a second track on the Pennsylvania road necessary, he took a contract for laying a portion of it, and was engaged during a large part of that struggle. Giving up his lumber and coal business, Mr. Young purchased, in 1859, a limestone quarry at Leaman place, Lancaster county, Pa., and from it supplied a large amount of stone for the bridges and abutments of the Pennsylvania railroad. This quarry was operated continuously for more than twenty-five years, and yielded a handsome revenue. It was finally sold by him in 1886. For many years Mr. Young has been a prudent investor in real estate, and thereby became the owner of much valuable property. In the disastrous panic of 1857 he was interested in the bank at Lebanon, and was a heavy loser. He resolved that if he ever got through without losing everything, he would thereafter be found, when panics came, the owner of real estate. He then purchased his first farm, against the advice of older heads. One day an incredulous friend observed that a new barn had been constructed, and expressed a desire to see it. On visiting the place he said, "Young, how much do you owe on this?" "Not one cent," was the reply. "Well," said the friend, "you have done well." Ever afterward he was one of the warmest admirers of Mr. Young's farming projects. As early as 1858 he purchased 200 acres of land situated near Middletown. To this tract he added, year after year, until his farming property exceeded 1,400 acres, exclusive of 400 acres of pasture laud, his main farming tracts comprising land formerly occupied by thirteen farms, which had all been highly cultivated. Mr. Young has given much attention to the breeding of fine cattle. His herd of Jerseys is reputed one of the finest. He is a heavy stockholder in the American tube and iron company, of which he is also president. It was through his efforts that the works of the corporation were re-established at Middletown. During his active career he has been a director of the Lochiel rolling-mill company for more than thirty years; a director of the Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount Joy and Lancaster railroad company; a director of the Farmers' bank of Middletown, and a director of the First national bank of Lebanon. He was one of the incorporators, and is a director in, the First national bank of Steelton; also of the Merchants' national bank of Harrisburg; a director of the Harrisburg rolling-mill company of Lochiel, and president of the Cameron furnace company; a stockholder in the Pennsylvania steel works; a director of the Lancaster city electric railway, and the Harrisburg, Steelton and Middletown electric railroad. In financial circles Mr. Young is regarded as a man of sound judgment and the strictest probity. Quick to perceive the merits of an enterprise, whatever its character, he has lent valuable assistance by advice and money, which has proved of incalculable advantage in the development of the wealth of his state. While carefully guarding his large interests, he is a man of generous heart and marked public spirit, freely aiding the deserving and never withholding liberal support from prominent enterprises in the hands of capable men. He is a member of the state board of agriculture, to which he was appointed by Gov. Hartranft in 1877, when the board was organized. Mr. Young is a hard worker, and, although more than three score and ten, is indefatigable in whatever he undertakes.
Source: James Terry White. The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography: Being the History of the United States, v. 4, New York: James T. White & Co., 1895, p. 72.
Contributed by: Nancy.