YOUNG, WILLIAM H., a retired farmer living at Cantrall, Ill., has been a resident of Sangamon County for more than forty years. He was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 27, 1840, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Underwood) Young, natives of Nicholas County, W. Va. In 1830 the parents removed to Kentucky and the father carried on farming there several years, then moved to Ohio. Some years later he returned to Kentucky, where he was living at the outbreak of the Civil War, and died during the war. There were four sons and one daughter in the family, and three children now survive: William H., of this sketch; James U., the oldest, a retired farmer of Carter County, Ky.; Mary, widow of John Bloomer, of Marion County, Ind.

The boyhood of William H. Young was spent chiefly in Carter County, Ky., where he received his education, and he worked many years on the farm for his father, then took up the same occupation in his own account. He enlisted and served in the Civil War. In 1868 he came to Edgar County, Ill., and for four years carried on farming there. In 1870 he located on a farm two miles northeast of Cantrall and carried it on twenty-two years, after which he retired form active life. He now owns a home in the village, and property in Athens, Ill. He has the confidence and esteem of his friends and neighbors and for twelve years served as Commissioner of Highways of Fancy Creek Township. He is a member of the Methodist Church and in politics is a Democrat.

Mr. Young was married in Ironton, Ohio, March 16, 1862, to Mary A. Underwood, who was born in Nicholas County, W. Va., April 13, 1844, daughter of James Underwood and wife, natives of the same county, where they spent their entire lives. There were four sons and five daughters in the Underwood family and four children still survive. Two children were born to Mr. Young and wife, namely: Susan, wife of Thomas Mathers, a farmer of Cantrall, and Jennie, wife of Stewart Smith, a farmer living near Cantrall. There are seven grandchildren in the family. Mrs. Young died July 2, 1897, deeply mourned by her family and friends, and sadly missed in the community.