Encyclopedia Dubuque
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YOUNG, Alexander
YOUNG, Alexander. (New York, New York, Feb. 24, 1814--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 1, 1880). At the age of twenty, Young came to Galena, Illinois. In 1840 he was elected sheriff of Jo Daviess County and was re-elected in 1842 and 1844. (1) In 1845 he resigned his office and entered the steam boating business between Galena and St. Louis. Later he was involved in the lumber business until 1868 and divided his time between Galena and Dubuque. (2)
Young and his wife settled in Dubuque in 1859 and stayed for many years at the JULIEN HOUSE. They moved to a house on Iowa Street for awhile but then occupied a suite of apartments at the LORIMIER HOUSE. They purchased $4,000 for property on Main Street in July 1877. (3) Construction began and they moved to their elegant mansion on Main Street at the corner of 15th in 1879.
The house was one of the most elegant in Dubuque. The residence contained eight hand-polished imported marble fireplaces with matching Chippendale gilt and exotic wood mirrors. There were original Satsuma china and brass chandeliers, stencil painted ceilings and walls, inlaid wood floors, and wheel cut and etched glass in the interior doors. Former President U. S. Grant may have been entertained at a banquet in his honor at the residence shortly after its completion. Alexander Young died less than one year after taking possession of their home. Ms. Elizabeth (Bates) Young lived in the home until her death on January 14, 1897.
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Source:
1. "Death of Alex. Young," Dubuque Herald, August 3, 1880, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18800803&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. Ibid.
3. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, August 1, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770801&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Also see: ALEXANDER YOUNG--1491 MAIN