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JAMES A. YOUNG, M.D.
Vol. 3, p. 1187

In considering the career and character of Dr. James A. Young, the
impartial observer will be disposed to rank him not only among the
most distinguished members of the Oklahoma medical fraternity, but as
one who is entitled to great consideration for the signal services he
has rendered in the field of education. The worthy motives which have
impelled him through a long and busy life, the skill which he has
brought to a difficult profession, and the profundity of his
knowledge and aptness in imparting instructions, combined with his
earnest and untiring efforts to further the cause of education, all
stamp him as a man of unusual attainments and of great public spirit.

Doctor Young was born January 28, 1863, at Yellville, Marion County,
Arkansas, and is a son of Allen A. and Sarah Jane (ABEE) Young. His
father, a native of Tennessee, removed to Arkansas in 1858, and there
engaged in farming until the beginning of the Civil War, when he
enlisted in the Confederate army and saw some active service. When
his term of enlistment expired he returned to his farm and continued
in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of this active life.
Mrs. Young was of Dutch descent.

James A. Young was given good educational advantages in his youth,
starting in the district schools of Marion County, Arkansas.
Subsequently, he went to the Academy of La Crosse, Arkansas, and then
entered upon his medical studies at the Memphis Hospital College,
Memphis, Tennessee, from which institution he was graduated in 1891,
with his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He at once opened an office
and commenced practice at Yellville, but after two years removed to
Jamestown, Arkansas, where he remained for four years.

In 1898, seeking a wider and more prolific field, he removed to
Paul's Valley, Indian Territory, and there his real career began. A
pioneer of that city, in the years that followed he became probably
its foremost citizen, at least in so far as accomplishing
achievements for his community was concerned, and few men had a
better record for citizenship and efficient public service. A
stalwart democrat, he was the second mayor of Paul's Valley and the
first one elected on party lines, and in that office served two
terms, 1900 and 1901, his administrations being characterized by
advancement and improvement in municipal affairs and along civic
lines. He was also a member of the city council during nearly the
entire period of his residence at Paul's Valley. One of the acts that
stamped him as a man of particular public spirit was his signing,
with other members of the council, a note for $500 to take care of
the small-pox epidemic in 1900.

He was also a prominent man of business at Paul's Valley, but it was
probably his work along educational lines that brought him most
favorably before the public. In 1899, with a few others, he gave a
joint note to raise funds to continue the public school at Paul's
Valley, and graduated the first pupil in the city. He was a member of
the board of education for six years, or from 1902 to 1907,
inclusive, and president of that body in 1902 and 1903.

In March 1911, Doctor Young moved to Oklahoma City to continue his
practice, and here he has continued actively engaged in educational
work, having been a member of the board of education since 1912. He
has taken an active part in the success of the democratic party, and
in the elections of November 1914, was chosen representative of the
Fifth District for the two year term from January 1915 until January
1917. He has continued as an active member of his profession, has
built up a large and representative practice, and is highly regarded
in the ranks of his calling and among his fellow members in the
Oklahoma County medical Society and the Oklahoma State Medical
Society. Fraternally, he is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging
to Valley Lodge No. 6, A. F. & A. M., of Paul's Valley; Paul Valley
Chapter No. 31, R. A. M., and Oklahoma Consistory No. 2, of Guthrie,
and has taken all the Scottish Rite degrees. With his family, he
attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

In 1885, Doctor Young was united in marriage with Miss Fannie L.
WILSON, daughter of Dr. C. N. Wilson, of Yellville, Arkansas, and
five children have come to them: Dortch; Madge who is the wife of
Samuel KENDELL, of Paul's Valley; and Macbeth, Ralph, and Clyde,
living at home. The family residence is at No. 907 North Francis
Street.

Typed for OKGenWeb by Marti Graham, December 1999.