Father: Johann Christian Young, b.???? Germany, d.???? Germany.
Mother: Marie von Wingruber, b.???? Germany, d.???? USA.
---
b. Prussia (some sources say, 18th, some say 20th of the month).
---
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: "OTTO YOUNG MERCHANT MILLIONAIRE, By Grace Thane - Nineteen hundred and six closed the life book of a score of men who could not count their wealth in the tens of millions but none is more interesting than the life story of Otto Young. We look upon the lives of rich men with interest - not because of their great wealth, but because we are interested to know how they obtained their wealth. If Otto Young had told any of his friends while clerking back of a cigar counter, at three dollars per week, that some day he would be worth millions they would very likely have rendered his notion as being the usual dream of the young foreign lad who crosses the "big pond" to look for wealth in America. Nevertheless, his aspirations were no lower. He did not worry his friends with his dreams however, but started right to work to gain the height of his ambition. He believed that "Actions speak louder than words", and he worked hard and conscientiously to have his actions prove the quality of his thoughts. His parents were poor, and in his struggles to gain an education, the lad learned the value of money from his daily experiences. At the age of fourteen, Otto Young left home and sailed for New York, where he was cared for by relatives. It was here, while attending school, that he realized every one of his hours must be used in a profitable way. He knew that his future depended largely upon these very school days, and in these years, he developed the good sound judgment that can only be gained by those who are left upon their own responsibilities and must either profit or lose by their experiences. Much to his regret, he found that circumstances would not permit him further schooling, and at the end of eighteen months, he left school to go to work. On leaving school however, he did not leave his studies, he improved every minute of his spare time with books. In his first position though, he felt dissatisfied behind a cigar counter, he never shirked his work. He was conscientious and sincere in everything he undertook, always watching a chance for financial betterment. Quite unexpectedly, he was offered the position of traveling salesman. This he willingly accepted, for he realized besides gaining a business experience, he would have an opportunity to become better acquainted with the country. It was on one of the business trips for his firm that he chanced to come to Chicago. A few years later, gaining considerable knowledge of the jewelry business from a firm in New York, in which he had a partial interest, he started a business of his own in Chicago. His first interest, little store on Washington St., was the nucleus of what was later known as the large wholesale jewelry concern of Otto Young & Co. One of Mr. Young's best customers was E.J. Lehman, who had opened a little store on the corner of State and Adams Sts. One day, Lehman approached Mr. Young on the subject of shares and suggested his desire to have Mr. Young buy an interest in his store. After a few days of thoughtful meditation, Otto Young became a partner in Mr. Lehman's business, and until a year ago, held half interest, in what proved to be one of the largest department stores in the world. Mr. Young's income from this interest alone was over one million a year. While he was very serious in all his transactions, he had an optimistic nature and was always pleasant in his dealings with other people. He dealt very largely in real estate. In fact, it is said that he was gifted in foresight in real estate investments. The latter part of his life was spent entirely in the investment of real estate. Mr. Otto Young was a man of noble character. He was a home man in every sense of the word, and cared nothing for society. He spent his money unsparingly upon his home and his family. His pleasures of later years were wrapt in his little grandchildren. Up to the last few weeks of his death, he was a robust man enjoying good health. Heart failure claimed him in this his sixty-second year, Nov. 30, 1906, at his Geneva home. In the success of Otto Young lies the proof of what can be derived by good hard study and conscientious work, and it behooves every one to try. Success does not come in a day or a week. Start now in order that these days may be worth much to you in the future."
SOURCE (Google Books) Common Sense, Volumes 6-7, page 45, by William Neill Slocum, April 1906.
Source [link]: http://books.google.com/books?id=ELQRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA45&
---
OBITUARY - "Otto Young Dead - the Well-Known German-American Capitalist Died at His Country Estate" - After a sickness of only two weeks the well-known Chicago Merchant Prince, Otto Young died yesterday at his country home in Lake Geneva. His death came unexpectedly even to his nearest relatives, although Mr. Young was ailing for several years already. His wife and his daughters, Mrs. Byron F. Hobart, Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth, Mrs. S. K. Martin and Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann were at his death-bed. The funeral will be held Monday at the Oakwoods Cemetery and will be held privately Rev. W. O. Waters will hold a mourning service at the residence, 2032 Calumet Avenue. Otto Young was born in Elberfeld on December 20th, 1844, and died when nearly 62 years old. As a five-year old boy he lost his father who was an architect, and a few years later his mother died. The fourteen year old Otto was sent to relatives in New York and attended first, for one year, the Military School in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson. He then returned to New York where he worked in a cigar store for $3.00 a week. By his economy he saved from these small wages a small sum that enabled him to start in 1861 a jewelry business. He developed the business and sold it after six years profitably and became a traveling salesman for a New York firm. At the time of the great fire he came to Chicago. His sharp eye recognized at once the great possibilities of this city as an industrial center and so he founded in the building at 149 - 151 State Street, a jewelry wholesale house. When in 1885 the Fair was incorporated Mr. Young bought for $100,000 one half of the stock and took over personally the management of this enterprise, which grew under his able hand to its present height. About a year ago he retired from business. Mr. Young left a large fortune, which is estimated at $20,000,000 and consists in a large part of real estate in the city. Since the death of his son Otto, Mr. Young gave great care to welfare institutions. In memory of his son he erected for $100,000 an addition to 3the Home for Incurables at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue, and has since paid for the upkeep of this department. Also for other welfare institutions and purposes he had an open hand. Mr. Young married his wife in 1867 in New Orleans. Her maiden name was Murphy and she came from Virginia. During the last years he spent much of his time in Lake Geneva. Last year he sold his interest in the Fair to Mrs. Auguste Lehmann. He belonged to the Directors of the First National Bank and the Chicago City Railway Company.
SOURCE: "Abendpost - December 01, 1906" (original text was in German language).
Source [link]: http://flps.newberry.org/article/5418474_11_1516
---
WIKI (extract): Otto Young was born in Elberfeld, Prussia. His father and grandfather were architects, and Young initially studied the same trade. He also attended school at the local Roman Catholic Church. When Young was ten, his father died. His mother immigrated to the United States three or four years later, leaving Young in Düsseldorf. Although Young was instructed to follow her when he had the means, he instead moved to London, England, living on Threadneedle Street. However, he soon ran out of money and struggled to find enough food to eat. While working a temporary job on a dock, Young decided to follow his mother to the United States. He boarded the SS Great Eastern, arriving in New York City. There, he noticed a particularly successful toy store on Broadway. He purchased a supply of toys from a wholesaler and peddled them on the street. After a week, he had saved up enough money to return to his mother. She encouraged him to attend a school, where he studied for eight months. Young then ran away and took a job as a clerk of a cigar store in New York City. In the early 1860s, Young used his savings from the cigar store to found a jewelry house. The store was very successful and he sold it in 1867 to establish a new store, intending to open it elsewhere in New York. In the meantime, however, he did some work for another New York trading house. This work took him to Chicago, Illinois in 1871 during the Great Chicago Fire. Young saw potential in the regrowth of the city and established a wholesale jewelry house the next year as Otto Young & Co. Younglands, the Otto Young estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1886, Young purchased a half interest in the The Fair Store, a department store founded by Ernst J. Lehman, upon its incorporation. The store's value quintupled from $200,000 to $1 million by 1890. By 1901, the company employed over 3,000 people. Young was also on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Chicago and the Chicago City Railway. In 1901, his vast estate, Younglands, was completed in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Renaissance Revival mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Young was also active in Chicago real estate. His largest holding was the Heyworth Building, designed by D. H. Burnham & Company. He also held portions of land under the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building and the Auditorium Building. In declining health, Young sold his portion of The Fair in 1903. He intended to build a large hotel near the Auditorium Building. Young married Ann Elizabeth Murphy in 1867. They had four daughters and a son that died young. In his son's memory, Young funded an addition to the Chicago Home for Incurables. He was a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. He enjoyed collecting rugs, and his Persian collection in Lake Geneva was thought to be worth over $150,000. Young died on November 30, 1906, at his Lake Geneva estate and was buried in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery. He was thought to be worth about $20 million at the time of his death; $460,000 was donated to charity in his will, mainly to the Home for Incurables.
The "WIKI" text was sourced from the: Chicago Daily Tribune, 9 Jun 1907, Sun, Page 46 (see images at right).
---
MARRIAGE:
m.1867 - Ann Elizabeth Murphy (~1846-????, d. after 1906)
-ooOoo-
CHILDREN:
i. John W. Young, b.~1873 IL., d.???? IL. (died young).
ii. Selma Young, b.~1876 IL, d.????
iii. Mary Young, b.~1878 IL., d.????
iv. Catherine Young, b.~1880 IL., d.????
v. Laura Young, b.~1882 IL., d.????
Married names of the four daughters:
- Mrs. Byron F. Hobart
- Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth
- Mrs. S. K. Martin
- Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann
---
TIME-LINE & RESIDENCES (of the subject, and family):
1844 - Birth of Otto Young, in Elberfeld, Prussia, on December 20th, 1844.
1854 - Father died (in Prussia).
1857 - Mother immigrated to USA (1857/8), left him in Düsseldorf.
1857 - Moved to “Threadneedle Street”, London, England.
1858 - Summer, he too immigrated to the USA on board the “SS Great Eastern”, arrived NYC.
1858 - Attended military school in, Cornwall-on-the-Hudson (for about 18 months).
1859 - His mother died.
1859 - Sent to live with relatives in New York.
1860 - Ran away and took a job as a clerk in a cigar store for $3 per week.
1861 - Started a jewelry business.
1867 - Sold that first jewelry business, and became a traveling salesman for a NY firm.
1867 - Mar. Ann Elizabeth Murphy (of VA.), New Orleans, LA.
1872 - Located in Chicago.
1872 - Founded business 149-151 St. Str., Chic., IL. (jewelry wholesale house).
1873 - Birth of son, John W. Young.
1876 - Birth of daughter, Selma Young.
1878 - Birth of daughter, Mary Young.
1880 - Birth of daughter, Catherine Young.
1882 - Birth of daughter, Laura Young
1885 - The “Fair Store” was incorporated.
1886 - Bought ½ of stock, “Fair Store” (from E.J. Lehman).
1888 - His Capital Stock in store was increased to $500K.
1890 - Store quintupled in value (from $200K to $1 Million).
1901 - Store had over 3,000 employees.
1901 - Resided 2032 Calumet, Chicago, IL.
1901 - Younglands completed by Geneva Lake.
1903 - Sold interest in “The Fair Store” to Mrs. A. Lehman.
1905 - Retired from business (net worth, est. $20 Million).
1906 - Death of Otto, at Geneva Lake home, 30-Nov- 1906.
---
"WI CENSUS 1905"
Name: Otto Young
Residence Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Age (Original): 60y
Birth Year (Estimated): Abt 1845
Birthplace: Germany
Relationship to Head of Household (Original Language): Head
Race: White
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Parent 1 Birthplace: Germany
Parent 2 Birthplace: Germany
Otto Young Head M 60y Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 50y Virginia
John A Rauber Servant M 30y Switzerland
Carrie Lewis Servant F 40y Norway
Frank H Herrick Servant M 34y Michigan
Johana Erickson Servant F 38y Sweden
Ida J Johnson Servant F 28y Sweden
SOURCE: Wisconsin State Census, 1905.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMQD-JDR
---
"US CENSUS 1900"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1900
Event Place Precinct 10 South Town Chicago city Ward 2, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 55
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Years Married 33
Birth Date Dec 1845
Birthplace Germany
Marriage Year (Estimated) 1867
Immigration Year 1860
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Otto Young Head M 55 Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 53 Virginia
Catherine Young Daughter F 20 Illinois
Laura Young Daughter F 18 Illinois
Mathilde Stoll Servant F 24 France
May Mc Carthy Servant F 37 Ireland
Mary T Bohn Servant F 22 Germany
Rosa Richardson Servant F 48 Germany
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1900.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSSK-SSG
---
"US CENSUS 1880"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1880
Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 35
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Occupation Wholesale Jeweler
Relationship to Head of Household Self
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Self
Birth Year (Estimated) 1845
Birthplace Germany
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Affiliate Name The U.S. (NARA)
Otto Young Self M 35 Germany
Elizebeth Young Wife F 33 Virginia [sic] {Elizabeth}
John W Young Son M 7 Illinois
Selma Young Daughter F 4 Illinois
Mary Young Daughter F 2 Illinois
Lizzie Witt Other F 17 Germany
Julius Snearing Other M 29 Germany
Jennie Burns Other F 18 Illinois
Nora Barrell Other F 20 Pennsylvania
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1880.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXJQ-Q16
---
"Wisconsin Death Index 1820-1907"
Name: Otto Young
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 1906
Event Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Residence Place: Chicago, Ill.
Gender: Male
Age: 61
Marital Status: Married
Race: white
Occupation: Merchant
Birth Date: 20 Dec 1844
Birth Year (Estimated): 1845
Birthplace: Elberfeld
Burial Place: Chicago
Cemetery: Oakwoods Cemetery
Father's Name: Johan Christinn
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Name: Marie Von Wingruber
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Spouse's Name: Ann Elizabeth
SOURCE: Wisconsin, Death Index 1820-1907
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2B4-N9F
---
"NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES"
“Younglands” was added in 1979 (#81000063). Also known as the, “Stone Manor”, at 880 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin.
•Title: Younglands
•National Register Information System ID: 79000116
•Applicable Criteria: ARCHITECTURE / ENGINEERING / PERSON
•Architectural Styles: RENAISSANCE / OTHER
•Architects: Gay, Henry Lord
•Areas Of Significance: COMMERCE / ARCHITECTURE
•Periods Of Significance: 1900-1924; 1875-1899
•Significant Years: 1899; 1901
•Significant Names: Young,Otto
•Resource Type: BUILDING
•Related Collections: National Reg of Hist Places Collection
•Resource Format: pdf
•File Size (bytes): 22151
•Date Published: 9/18/1979
•Parks: National Register of Historic Places
•Locations: State of Wisconsin
•County: Walworth County
•Lake Geneva: 880 Lake Shore Dr.
•WISCONSIN: Walworth Co.; Lake Geneva
•Asset ID: 5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
SOURCE: listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
Source [link]: http://focus.nps.gov/AssetDetail?assetID=5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
Mother: Marie von Wingruber, b.???? Germany, d.???? USA.
---
b. Prussia (some sources say, 18th, some say 20th of the month).
---
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: "OTTO YOUNG MERCHANT MILLIONAIRE, By Grace Thane - Nineteen hundred and six closed the life book of a score of men who could not count their wealth in the tens of millions but none is more interesting than the life story of Otto Young. We look upon the lives of rich men with interest - not because of their great wealth, but because we are interested to know how they obtained their wealth. If Otto Young had told any of his friends while clerking back of a cigar counter, at three dollars per week, that some day he would be worth millions they would very likely have rendered his notion as being the usual dream of the young foreign lad who crosses the "big pond" to look for wealth in America. Nevertheless, his aspirations were no lower. He did not worry his friends with his dreams however, but started right to work to gain the height of his ambition. He believed that "Actions speak louder than words", and he worked hard and conscientiously to have his actions prove the quality of his thoughts. His parents were poor, and in his struggles to gain an education, the lad learned the value of money from his daily experiences. At the age of fourteen, Otto Young left home and sailed for New York, where he was cared for by relatives. It was here, while attending school, that he realized every one of his hours must be used in a profitable way. He knew that his future depended largely upon these very school days, and in these years, he developed the good sound judgment that can only be gained by those who are left upon their own responsibilities and must either profit or lose by their experiences. Much to his regret, he found that circumstances would not permit him further schooling, and at the end of eighteen months, he left school to go to work. On leaving school however, he did not leave his studies, he improved every minute of his spare time with books. In his first position though, he felt dissatisfied behind a cigar counter, he never shirked his work. He was conscientious and sincere in everything he undertook, always watching a chance for financial betterment. Quite unexpectedly, he was offered the position of traveling salesman. This he willingly accepted, for he realized besides gaining a business experience, he would have an opportunity to become better acquainted with the country. It was on one of the business trips for his firm that he chanced to come to Chicago. A few years later, gaining considerable knowledge of the jewelry business from a firm in New York, in which he had a partial interest, he started a business of his own in Chicago. His first interest, little store on Washington St., was the nucleus of what was later known as the large wholesale jewelry concern of Otto Young & Co. One of Mr. Young's best customers was E.J. Lehman, who had opened a little store on the corner of State and Adams Sts. One day, Lehman approached Mr. Young on the subject of shares and suggested his desire to have Mr. Young buy an interest in his store. After a few days of thoughtful meditation, Otto Young became a partner in Mr. Lehman's business, and until a year ago, held half interest, in what proved to be one of the largest department stores in the world. Mr. Young's income from this interest alone was over one million a year. While he was very serious in all his transactions, he had an optimistic nature and was always pleasant in his dealings with other people. He dealt very largely in real estate. In fact, it is said that he was gifted in foresight in real estate investments. The latter part of his life was spent entirely in the investment of real estate. Mr. Otto Young was a man of noble character. He was a home man in every sense of the word, and cared nothing for society. He spent his money unsparingly upon his home and his family. His pleasures of later years were wrapt in his little grandchildren. Up to the last few weeks of his death, he was a robust man enjoying good health. Heart failure claimed him in this his sixty-second year, Nov. 30, 1906, at his Geneva home. In the success of Otto Young lies the proof of what can be derived by good hard study and conscientious work, and it behooves every one to try. Success does not come in a day or a week. Start now in order that these days may be worth much to you in the future."
SOURCE (Google Books) Common Sense, Volumes 6-7, page 45, by William Neill Slocum, April 1906.
Source [link]: http://books.google.com/books?id=ELQRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA45&
---
OBITUARY - "Otto Young Dead - the Well-Known German-American Capitalist Died at His Country Estate" - After a sickness of only two weeks the well-known Chicago Merchant Prince, Otto Young died yesterday at his country home in Lake Geneva. His death came unexpectedly even to his nearest relatives, although Mr. Young was ailing for several years already. His wife and his daughters, Mrs. Byron F. Hobart, Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth, Mrs. S. K. Martin and Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann were at his death-bed. The funeral will be held Monday at the Oakwoods Cemetery and will be held privately Rev. W. O. Waters will hold a mourning service at the residence, 2032 Calumet Avenue. Otto Young was born in Elberfeld on December 20th, 1844, and died when nearly 62 years old. As a five-year old boy he lost his father who was an architect, and a few years later his mother died. The fourteen year old Otto was sent to relatives in New York and attended first, for one year, the Military School in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson. He then returned to New York where he worked in a cigar store for $3.00 a week. By his economy he saved from these small wages a small sum that enabled him to start in 1861 a jewelry business. He developed the business and sold it after six years profitably and became a traveling salesman for a New York firm. At the time of the great fire he came to Chicago. His sharp eye recognized at once the great possibilities of this city as an industrial center and so he founded in the building at 149 - 151 State Street, a jewelry wholesale house. When in 1885 the Fair was incorporated Mr. Young bought for $100,000 one half of the stock and took over personally the management of this enterprise, which grew under his able hand to its present height. About a year ago he retired from business. Mr. Young left a large fortune, which is estimated at $20,000,000 and consists in a large part of real estate in the city. Since the death of his son Otto, Mr. Young gave great care to welfare institutions. In memory of his son he erected for $100,000 an addition to 3the Home for Incurables at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue, and has since paid for the upkeep of this department. Also for other welfare institutions and purposes he had an open hand. Mr. Young married his wife in 1867 in New Orleans. Her maiden name was Murphy and she came from Virginia. During the last years he spent much of his time in Lake Geneva. Last year he sold his interest in the Fair to Mrs. Auguste Lehmann. He belonged to the Directors of the First National Bank and the Chicago City Railway Company.
SOURCE: "Abendpost - December 01, 1906" (original text was in German language).
Source [link]: http://flps.newberry.org/article/5418474_11_1516
---
WIKI (extract): Otto Young was born in Elberfeld, Prussia. His father and grandfather were architects, and Young initially studied the same trade. He also attended school at the local Roman Catholic Church. When Young was ten, his father died. His mother immigrated to the United States three or four years later, leaving Young in Düsseldorf. Although Young was instructed to follow her when he had the means, he instead moved to London, England, living on Threadneedle Street. However, he soon ran out of money and struggled to find enough food to eat. While working a temporary job on a dock, Young decided to follow his mother to the United States. He boarded the SS Great Eastern, arriving in New York City. There, he noticed a particularly successful toy store on Broadway. He purchased a supply of toys from a wholesaler and peddled them on the street. After a week, he had saved up enough money to return to his mother. She encouraged him to attend a school, where he studied for eight months. Young then ran away and took a job as a clerk of a cigar store in New York City. In the early 1860s, Young used his savings from the cigar store to found a jewelry house. The store was very successful and he sold it in 1867 to establish a new store, intending to open it elsewhere in New York. In the meantime, however, he did some work for another New York trading house. This work took him to Chicago, Illinois in 1871 during the Great Chicago Fire. Young saw potential in the regrowth of the city and established a wholesale jewelry house the next year as Otto Young & Co. Younglands, the Otto Young estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1886, Young purchased a half interest in the The Fair Store, a department store founded by Ernst J. Lehman, upon its incorporation. The store's value quintupled from $200,000 to $1 million by 1890. By 1901, the company employed over 3,000 people. Young was also on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Chicago and the Chicago City Railway. In 1901, his vast estate, Younglands, was completed in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Renaissance Revival mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Young was also active in Chicago real estate. His largest holding was the Heyworth Building, designed by D. H. Burnham & Company. He also held portions of land under the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building and the Auditorium Building. In declining health, Young sold his portion of The Fair in 1903. He intended to build a large hotel near the Auditorium Building. Young married Ann Elizabeth Murphy in 1867. They had four daughters and a son that died young. In his son's memory, Young funded an addition to the Chicago Home for Incurables. He was a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. He enjoyed collecting rugs, and his Persian collection in Lake Geneva was thought to be worth over $150,000. Young died on November 30, 1906, at his Lake Geneva estate and was buried in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery. He was thought to be worth about $20 million at the time of his death; $460,000 was donated to charity in his will, mainly to the Home for Incurables.
The "WIKI" text was sourced from the: Chicago Daily Tribune, 9 Jun 1907, Sun, Page 46 (see images at right).
---
MARRIAGE:
m.1867 - Ann Elizabeth Murphy (~1846-????, d. after 1906)
-ooOoo-
CHILDREN:
i. John W. Young, b.~1873 IL., d.???? IL. (died young).
ii. Selma Young, b.~1876 IL, d.????
iii. Mary Young, b.~1878 IL., d.????
iv. Catherine Young, b.~1880 IL., d.????
v. Laura Young, b.~1882 IL., d.????
Married names of the four daughters:
- Mrs. Byron F. Hobart
- Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth
- Mrs. S. K. Martin
- Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann
---
TIME-LINE & RESIDENCES (of the subject, and family):
1844 - Birth of Otto Young, in Elberfeld, Prussia, on December 20th, 1844.
1854 - Father died (in Prussia).
1857 - Mother immigrated to USA (1857/8), left him in Düsseldorf.
1857 - Moved to “Threadneedle Street”, London, England.
1858 - Summer, he too immigrated to the USA on board the “SS Great Eastern”, arrived NYC.
1858 - Attended military school in, Cornwall-on-the-Hudson (for about 18 months).
1859 - His mother died.
1859 - Sent to live with relatives in New York.
1860 - Ran away and took a job as a clerk in a cigar store for $3 per week.
1861 - Started a jewelry business.
1867 - Sold that first jewelry business, and became a traveling salesman for a NY firm.
1867 - Mar. Ann Elizabeth Murphy (of VA.), New Orleans, LA.
1872 - Located in Chicago.
1872 - Founded business 149-151 St. Str., Chic., IL. (jewelry wholesale house).
1873 - Birth of son, John W. Young.
1876 - Birth of daughter, Selma Young.
1878 - Birth of daughter, Mary Young.
1880 - Birth of daughter, Catherine Young.
1882 - Birth of daughter, Laura Young
1885 - The “Fair Store” was incorporated.
1886 - Bought ½ of stock, “Fair Store” (from E.J. Lehman).
1888 - His Capital Stock in store was increased to $500K.
1890 - Store quintupled in value (from $200K to $1 Million).
1901 - Store had over 3,000 employees.
1901 - Resided 2032 Calumet, Chicago, IL.
1901 - Younglands completed by Geneva Lake.
1903 - Sold interest in “The Fair Store” to Mrs. A. Lehman.
1905 - Retired from business (net worth, est. $20 Million).
1906 - Death of Otto, at Geneva Lake home, 30-Nov- 1906.
---
"WI CENSUS 1905"
Name: Otto Young
Residence Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Age (Original): 60y
Birth Year (Estimated): Abt 1845
Birthplace: Germany
Relationship to Head of Household (Original Language): Head
Race: White
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Parent 1 Birthplace: Germany
Parent 2 Birthplace: Germany
Otto Young Head M 60y Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 50y Virginia
John A Rauber Servant M 30y Switzerland
Carrie Lewis Servant F 40y Norway
Frank H Herrick Servant M 34y Michigan
Johana Erickson Servant F 38y Sweden
Ida J Johnson Servant F 28y Sweden
SOURCE: Wisconsin State Census, 1905.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMQD-JDR
---
"US CENSUS 1900"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1900
Event Place Precinct 10 South Town Chicago city Ward 2, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 55
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Years Married 33
Birth Date Dec 1845
Birthplace Germany
Marriage Year (Estimated) 1867
Immigration Year 1860
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Otto Young Head M 55 Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 53 Virginia
Catherine Young Daughter F 20 Illinois
Laura Young Daughter F 18 Illinois
Mathilde Stoll Servant F 24 France
May Mc Carthy Servant F 37 Ireland
Mary T Bohn Servant F 22 Germany
Rosa Richardson Servant F 48 Germany
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1900.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSSK-SSG
---
"US CENSUS 1880"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1880
Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 35
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Occupation Wholesale Jeweler
Relationship to Head of Household Self
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Self
Birth Year (Estimated) 1845
Birthplace Germany
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Affiliate Name The U.S. (NARA)
Otto Young Self M 35 Germany
Elizebeth Young Wife F 33 Virginia [sic] {Elizabeth}
John W Young Son M 7 Illinois
Selma Young Daughter F 4 Illinois
Mary Young Daughter F 2 Illinois
Lizzie Witt Other F 17 Germany
Julius Snearing Other M 29 Germany
Jennie Burns Other F 18 Illinois
Nora Barrell Other F 20 Pennsylvania
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1880.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXJQ-Q16
---
"Wisconsin Death Index 1820-1907"
Name: Otto Young
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 1906
Event Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Residence Place: Chicago, Ill.
Gender: Male
Age: 61
Marital Status: Married
Race: white
Occupation: Merchant
Birth Date: 20 Dec 1844
Birth Year (Estimated): 1845
Birthplace: Elberfeld
Burial Place: Chicago
Cemetery: Oakwoods Cemetery
Father's Name: Johan Christinn
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Name: Marie Von Wingruber
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Spouse's Name: Ann Elizabeth
SOURCE: Wisconsin, Death Index 1820-1907
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2B4-N9F
---
"NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES"
“Younglands” was added in 1979 (#81000063). Also known as the, “Stone Manor”, at 880 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin.
•Title: Younglands
•National Register Information System ID: 79000116
•Applicable Criteria: ARCHITECTURE / ENGINEERING / PERSON
•Architectural Styles: RENAISSANCE / OTHER
•Architects: Gay, Henry Lord
•Areas Of Significance: COMMERCE / ARCHITECTURE
•Periods Of Significance: 1900-1924; 1875-1899
•Significant Years: 1899; 1901
•Significant Names: Young,Otto
•Resource Type: BUILDING
•Related Collections: National Reg of Hist Places Collection
•Resource Format: pdf
•File Size (bytes): 22151
•Date Published: 9/18/1979
•Parks: National Register of Historic Places
•Locations: State of Wisconsin
•County: Walworth County
•Lake Geneva: 880 Lake Shore Dr.
•WISCONSIN: Walworth Co.; Lake Geneva
•Asset ID: 5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
SOURCE: listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
Source [link]: http://focus.nps.gov/AssetDetail?assetID=5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
Father: Johann Christian Young, b.???? Germany, d.???? Germany.
Mother: Marie von Wingruber, b.???? Germany, d.???? USA.
---
b. Prussia (some sources say, 18th, some say 20th of the month).
---
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: "OTTO YOUNG MERCHANT MILLIONAIRE, By Grace Thane - Nineteen hundred and six closed the life book of a score of men who could not count their wealth in the tens of millions but none is more interesting than the life story of Otto Young. We look upon the lives of rich men with interest - not because of their great wealth, but because we are interested to know how they obtained their wealth. If Otto Young had told any of his friends while clerking back of a cigar counter, at three dollars per week, that some day he would be worth millions they would very likely have rendered his notion as being the usual dream of the young foreign lad who crosses the "big pond" to look for wealth in America. Nevertheless, his aspirations were no lower. He did not worry his friends with his dreams however, but started right to work to gain the height of his ambition. He believed that "Actions speak louder than words", and he worked hard and conscientiously to have his actions prove the quality of his thoughts. His parents were poor, and in his struggles to gain an education, the lad learned the value of money from his daily experiences. At the age of fourteen, Otto Young left home and sailed for New York, where he was cared for by relatives. It was here, while attending school, that he realized every one of his hours must be used in a profitable way. He knew that his future depended largely upon these very school days, and in these years, he developed the good sound judgment that can only be gained by those who are left upon their own responsibilities and must either profit or lose by their experiences. Much to his regret, he found that circumstances would not permit him further schooling, and at the end of eighteen months, he left school to go to work. On leaving school however, he did not leave his studies, he improved every minute of his spare time with books. In his first position though, he felt dissatisfied behind a cigar counter, he never shirked his work. He was conscientious and sincere in everything he undertook, always watching a chance for financial betterment. Quite unexpectedly, he was offered the position of traveling salesman. This he willingly accepted, for he realized besides gaining a business experience, he would have an opportunity to become better acquainted with the country. It was on one of the business trips for his firm that he chanced to come to Chicago. A few years later, gaining considerable knowledge of the jewelry business from a firm in New York, in which he had a partial interest, he started a business of his own in Chicago. His first interest, little store on Washington St., was the nucleus of what was later known as the large wholesale jewelry concern of Otto Young & Co. One of Mr. Young's best customers was E.J. Lehman, who had opened a little store on the corner of State and Adams Sts. One day, Lehman approached Mr. Young on the subject of shares and suggested his desire to have Mr. Young buy an interest in his store. After a few days of thoughtful meditation, Otto Young became a partner in Mr. Lehman's business, and until a year ago, held half interest, in what proved to be one of the largest department stores in the world. Mr. Young's income from this interest alone was over one million a year. While he was very serious in all his transactions, he had an optimistic nature and was always pleasant in his dealings with other people. He dealt very largely in real estate. In fact, it is said that he was gifted in foresight in real estate investments. The latter part of his life was spent entirely in the investment of real estate. Mr. Otto Young was a man of noble character. He was a home man in every sense of the word, and cared nothing for society. He spent his money unsparingly upon his home and his family. His pleasures of later years were wrapt in his little grandchildren. Up to the last few weeks of his death, he was a robust man enjoying good health. Heart failure claimed him in this his sixty-second year, Nov. 30, 1906, at his Geneva home. In the success of Otto Young lies the proof of what can be derived by good hard study and conscientious work, and it behooves every one to try. Success does not come in a day or a week. Start now in order that these days may be worth much to you in the future."
SOURCE (Google Books) Common Sense, Volumes 6-7, page 45, by William Neill Slocum, April 1906.
Source [link]: http://books.google.com/books?id=ELQRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA45&
---
OBITUARY - "Otto Young Dead - the Well-Known German-American Capitalist Died at His Country Estate" - After a sickness of only two weeks the well-known Chicago Merchant Prince, Otto Young died yesterday at his country home in Lake Geneva. His death came unexpectedly even to his nearest relatives, although Mr. Young was ailing for several years already. His wife and his daughters, Mrs. Byron F. Hobart, Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth, Mrs. S. K. Martin and Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann were at his death-bed. The funeral will be held Monday at the Oakwoods Cemetery and will be held privately Rev. W. O. Waters will hold a mourning service at the residence, 2032 Calumet Avenue. Otto Young was born in Elberfeld on December 20th, 1844, and died when nearly 62 years old. As a five-year old boy he lost his father who was an architect, and a few years later his mother died. The fourteen year old Otto was sent to relatives in New York and attended first, for one year, the Military School in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson. He then returned to New York where he worked in a cigar store for $3.00 a week. By his economy he saved from these small wages a small sum that enabled him to start in 1861 a jewelry business. He developed the business and sold it after six years profitably and became a traveling salesman for a New York firm. At the time of the great fire he came to Chicago. His sharp eye recognized at once the great possibilities of this city as an industrial center and so he founded in the building at 149 - 151 State Street, a jewelry wholesale house. When in 1885 the Fair was incorporated Mr. Young bought for $100,000 one half of the stock and took over personally the management of this enterprise, which grew under his able hand to its present height. About a year ago he retired from business. Mr. Young left a large fortune, which is estimated at $20,000,000 and consists in a large part of real estate in the city. Since the death of his son Otto, Mr. Young gave great care to welfare institutions. In memory of his son he erected for $100,000 an addition to 3the Home for Incurables at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue, and has since paid for the upkeep of this department. Also for other welfare institutions and purposes he had an open hand. Mr. Young married his wife in 1867 in New Orleans. Her maiden name was Murphy and she came from Virginia. During the last years he spent much of his time in Lake Geneva. Last year he sold his interest in the Fair to Mrs. Auguste Lehmann. He belonged to the Directors of the First National Bank and the Chicago City Railway Company.
SOURCE: "Abendpost - December 01, 1906" (original text was in German language).
Source [link]: http://flps.newberry.org/article/5418474_11_1516
---
WIKI (extract): Otto Young was born in Elberfeld, Prussia. His father and grandfather were architects, and Young initially studied the same trade. He also attended school at the local Roman Catholic Church. When Young was ten, his father died. His mother immigrated to the United States three or four years later, leaving Young in Düsseldorf. Although Young was instructed to follow her when he had the means, he instead moved to London, England, living on Threadneedle Street. However, he soon ran out of money and struggled to find enough food to eat. While working a temporary job on a dock, Young decided to follow his mother to the United States. He boarded the SS Great Eastern, arriving in New York City. There, he noticed a particularly successful toy store on Broadway. He purchased a supply of toys from a wholesaler and peddled them on the street. After a week, he had saved up enough money to return to his mother. She encouraged him to attend a school, where he studied for eight months. Young then ran away and took a job as a clerk of a cigar store in New York City. In the early 1860s, Young used his savings from the cigar store to found a jewelry house. The store was very successful and he sold it in 1867 to establish a new store, intending to open it elsewhere in New York. In the meantime, however, he did some work for another New York trading house. This work took him to Chicago, Illinois in 1871 during the Great Chicago Fire. Young saw potential in the regrowth of the city and established a wholesale jewelry house the next year as Otto Young & Co. Younglands, the Otto Young estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1886, Young purchased a half interest in the The Fair Store, a department store founded by Ernst J. Lehman, upon its incorporation. The store's value quintupled from $200,000 to $1 million by 1890. By 1901, the company employed over 3,000 people. Young was also on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Chicago and the Chicago City Railway. In 1901, his vast estate, Younglands, was completed in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Renaissance Revival mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Young was also active in Chicago real estate. His largest holding was the Heyworth Building, designed by D. H. Burnham & Company. He also held portions of land under the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building and the Auditorium Building. In declining health, Young sold his portion of The Fair in 1903. He intended to build a large hotel near the Auditorium Building. Young married Ann Elizabeth Murphy in 1867. They had four daughters and a son that died young. In his son's memory, Young funded an addition to the Chicago Home for Incurables. He was a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. He enjoyed collecting rugs, and his Persian collection in Lake Geneva was thought to be worth over $150,000. Young died on November 30, 1906, at his Lake Geneva estate and was buried in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery. He was thought to be worth about $20 million at the time of his death; $460,000 was donated to charity in his will, mainly to the Home for Incurables.
The "WIKI" text was sourced from the: Chicago Daily Tribune, 9 Jun 1907, Sun, Page 46 (see images at right).
---
MARRIAGE:
m.1867 - Ann Elizabeth Murphy (~1846-????, d. after 1906)
-ooOoo-
CHILDREN:
i. John W. Young, b.~1873 IL., d.???? IL. (died young).
ii. Selma Young, b.~1876 IL, d.????
iii. Mary Young, b.~1878 IL., d.????
iv. Catherine Young, b.~1880 IL., d.????
v. Laura Young, b.~1882 IL., d.????
Married names of the four daughters:
- Mrs. Byron F. Hobart
- Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth
- Mrs. S. K. Martin
- Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann
---
TIME-LINE & RESIDENCES (of the subject, and family):
1844 - Birth of Otto Young, in Elberfeld, Prussia, on December 20th, 1844.
1854 - Father died (in Prussia).
1857 - Mother immigrated to USA (1857/8), left him in Düsseldorf.
1857 - Moved to “Threadneedle Street”, London, England.
1858 - Summer, he too immigrated to the USA on board the “SS Great Eastern”, arrived NYC.
1858 - Attended military school in, Cornwall-on-the-Hudson (for about 18 months).
1859 - His mother died.
1859 - Sent to live with relatives in New York.
1860 - Ran away and took a job as a clerk in a cigar store for $3 per week.
1861 - Started a jewelry business.
1867 - Sold that first jewelry business, and became a traveling salesman for a NY firm.
1867 - Mar. Ann Elizabeth Murphy (of VA.), New Orleans, LA.
1872 - Located in Chicago.
1872 - Founded business 149-151 St. Str., Chic., IL. (jewelry wholesale house).
1873 - Birth of son, John W. Young.
1876 - Birth of daughter, Selma Young.
1878 - Birth of daughter, Mary Young.
1880 - Birth of daughter, Catherine Young.
1882 - Birth of daughter, Laura Young
1885 - The “Fair Store” was incorporated.
1886 - Bought ½ of stock, “Fair Store” (from E.J. Lehman).
1888 - His Capital Stock in store was increased to $500K.
1890 - Store quintupled in value (from $200K to $1 Million).
1901 - Store had over 3,000 employees.
1901 - Resided 2032 Calumet, Chicago, IL.
1901 - Younglands completed by Geneva Lake.
1903 - Sold interest in “The Fair Store” to Mrs. A. Lehman.
1905 - Retired from business (net worth, est. $20 Million).
1906 - Death of Otto, at Geneva Lake home, 30-Nov- 1906.
---
"WI CENSUS 1905"
Name: Otto Young
Residence Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Age (Original): 60y
Birth Year (Estimated): Abt 1845
Birthplace: Germany
Relationship to Head of Household (Original Language): Head
Race: White
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Parent 1 Birthplace: Germany
Parent 2 Birthplace: Germany
Otto Young Head M 60y Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 50y Virginia
John A Rauber Servant M 30y Switzerland
Carrie Lewis Servant F 40y Norway
Frank H Herrick Servant M 34y Michigan
Johana Erickson Servant F 38y Sweden
Ida J Johnson Servant F 28y Sweden
SOURCE: Wisconsin State Census, 1905.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMQD-JDR
---
"US CENSUS 1900"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1900
Event Place Precinct 10 South Town Chicago city Ward 2, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 55
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Years Married 33
Birth Date Dec 1845
Birthplace Germany
Marriage Year (Estimated) 1867
Immigration Year 1860
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Otto Young Head M 55 Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 53 Virginia
Catherine Young Daughter F 20 Illinois
Laura Young Daughter F 18 Illinois
Mathilde Stoll Servant F 24 France
May Mc Carthy Servant F 37 Ireland
Mary T Bohn Servant F 22 Germany
Rosa Richardson Servant F 48 Germany
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1900.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSSK-SSG
---
"US CENSUS 1880"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1880
Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 35
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Occupation Wholesale Jeweler
Relationship to Head of Household Self
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Self
Birth Year (Estimated) 1845
Birthplace Germany
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Affiliate Name The U.S. (NARA)
Otto Young Self M 35 Germany
Elizebeth Young Wife F 33 Virginia [sic] {Elizabeth}
John W Young Son M 7 Illinois
Selma Young Daughter F 4 Illinois
Mary Young Daughter F 2 Illinois
Lizzie Witt Other F 17 Germany
Julius Snearing Other M 29 Germany
Jennie Burns Other F 18 Illinois
Nora Barrell Other F 20 Pennsylvania
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1880.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXJQ-Q16
---
"Wisconsin Death Index 1820-1907"
Name: Otto Young
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 1906
Event Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Residence Place: Chicago, Ill.
Gender: Male
Age: 61
Marital Status: Married
Race: white
Occupation: Merchant
Birth Date: 20 Dec 1844
Birth Year (Estimated): 1845
Birthplace: Elberfeld
Burial Place: Chicago
Cemetery: Oakwoods Cemetery
Father's Name: Johan Christinn
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Name: Marie Von Wingruber
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Spouse's Name: Ann Elizabeth
SOURCE: Wisconsin, Death Index 1820-1907
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2B4-N9F
---
"NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES"
“Younglands” was added in 1979 (#81000063). Also known as the, “Stone Manor”, at 880 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin.
•Title: Younglands
•National Register Information System ID: 79000116
•Applicable Criteria: ARCHITECTURE / ENGINEERING / PERSON
•Architectural Styles: RENAISSANCE / OTHER
•Architects: Gay, Henry Lord
•Areas Of Significance: COMMERCE / ARCHITECTURE
•Periods Of Significance: 1900-1924; 1875-1899
•Significant Years: 1899; 1901
•Significant Names: Young,Otto
•Resource Type: BUILDING
•Related Collections: National Reg of Hist Places Collection
•Resource Format: pdf
•File Size (bytes): 22151
•Date Published: 9/18/1979
•Parks: National Register of Historic Places
•Locations: State of Wisconsin
•County: Walworth County
•Lake Geneva: 880 Lake Shore Dr.
•WISCONSIN: Walworth Co.; Lake Geneva
•Asset ID: 5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
SOURCE: listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
Source [link]: http://focus.nps.gov/AssetDetail?assetID=5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
Mother: Marie von Wingruber, b.???? Germany, d.???? USA.
---
b. Prussia (some sources say, 18th, some say 20th of the month).
---
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: "OTTO YOUNG MERCHANT MILLIONAIRE, By Grace Thane - Nineteen hundred and six closed the life book of a score of men who could not count their wealth in the tens of millions but none is more interesting than the life story of Otto Young. We look upon the lives of rich men with interest - not because of their great wealth, but because we are interested to know how they obtained their wealth. If Otto Young had told any of his friends while clerking back of a cigar counter, at three dollars per week, that some day he would be worth millions they would very likely have rendered his notion as being the usual dream of the young foreign lad who crosses the "big pond" to look for wealth in America. Nevertheless, his aspirations were no lower. He did not worry his friends with his dreams however, but started right to work to gain the height of his ambition. He believed that "Actions speak louder than words", and he worked hard and conscientiously to have his actions prove the quality of his thoughts. His parents were poor, and in his struggles to gain an education, the lad learned the value of money from his daily experiences. At the age of fourteen, Otto Young left home and sailed for New York, where he was cared for by relatives. It was here, while attending school, that he realized every one of his hours must be used in a profitable way. He knew that his future depended largely upon these very school days, and in these years, he developed the good sound judgment that can only be gained by those who are left upon their own responsibilities and must either profit or lose by their experiences. Much to his regret, he found that circumstances would not permit him further schooling, and at the end of eighteen months, he left school to go to work. On leaving school however, he did not leave his studies, he improved every minute of his spare time with books. In his first position though, he felt dissatisfied behind a cigar counter, he never shirked his work. He was conscientious and sincere in everything he undertook, always watching a chance for financial betterment. Quite unexpectedly, he was offered the position of traveling salesman. This he willingly accepted, for he realized besides gaining a business experience, he would have an opportunity to become better acquainted with the country. It was on one of the business trips for his firm that he chanced to come to Chicago. A few years later, gaining considerable knowledge of the jewelry business from a firm in New York, in which he had a partial interest, he started a business of his own in Chicago. His first interest, little store on Washington St., was the nucleus of what was later known as the large wholesale jewelry concern of Otto Young & Co. One of Mr. Young's best customers was E.J. Lehman, who had opened a little store on the corner of State and Adams Sts. One day, Lehman approached Mr. Young on the subject of shares and suggested his desire to have Mr. Young buy an interest in his store. After a few days of thoughtful meditation, Otto Young became a partner in Mr. Lehman's business, and until a year ago, held half interest, in what proved to be one of the largest department stores in the world. Mr. Young's income from this interest alone was over one million a year. While he was very serious in all his transactions, he had an optimistic nature and was always pleasant in his dealings with other people. He dealt very largely in real estate. In fact, it is said that he was gifted in foresight in real estate investments. The latter part of his life was spent entirely in the investment of real estate. Mr. Otto Young was a man of noble character. He was a home man in every sense of the word, and cared nothing for society. He spent his money unsparingly upon his home and his family. His pleasures of later years were wrapt in his little grandchildren. Up to the last few weeks of his death, he was a robust man enjoying good health. Heart failure claimed him in this his sixty-second year, Nov. 30, 1906, at his Geneva home. In the success of Otto Young lies the proof of what can be derived by good hard study and conscientious work, and it behooves every one to try. Success does not come in a day or a week. Start now in order that these days may be worth much to you in the future."
SOURCE (Google Books) Common Sense, Volumes 6-7, page 45, by William Neill Slocum, April 1906.
Source [link]: http://books.google.com/books?id=ELQRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA45&
---
OBITUARY - "Otto Young Dead - the Well-Known German-American Capitalist Died at His Country Estate" - After a sickness of only two weeks the well-known Chicago Merchant Prince, Otto Young died yesterday at his country home in Lake Geneva. His death came unexpectedly even to his nearest relatives, although Mr. Young was ailing for several years already. His wife and his daughters, Mrs. Byron F. Hobart, Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth, Mrs. S. K. Martin and Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann were at his death-bed. The funeral will be held Monday at the Oakwoods Cemetery and will be held privately Rev. W. O. Waters will hold a mourning service at the residence, 2032 Calumet Avenue. Otto Young was born in Elberfeld on December 20th, 1844, and died when nearly 62 years old. As a five-year old boy he lost his father who was an architect, and a few years later his mother died. The fourteen year old Otto was sent to relatives in New York and attended first, for one year, the Military School in Cornwall-on-the-Hudson. He then returned to New York where he worked in a cigar store for $3.00 a week. By his economy he saved from these small wages a small sum that enabled him to start in 1861 a jewelry business. He developed the business and sold it after six years profitably and became a traveling salesman for a New York firm. At the time of the great fire he came to Chicago. His sharp eye recognized at once the great possibilities of this city as an industrial center and so he founded in the building at 149 - 151 State Street, a jewelry wholesale house. When in 1885 the Fair was incorporated Mr. Young bought for $100,000 one half of the stock and took over personally the management of this enterprise, which grew under his able hand to its present height. About a year ago he retired from business. Mr. Young left a large fortune, which is estimated at $20,000,000 and consists in a large part of real estate in the city. Since the death of his son Otto, Mr. Young gave great care to welfare institutions. In memory of his son he erected for $100,000 an addition to 3the Home for Incurables at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue, and has since paid for the upkeep of this department. Also for other welfare institutions and purposes he had an open hand. Mr. Young married his wife in 1867 in New Orleans. Her maiden name was Murphy and she came from Virginia. During the last years he spent much of his time in Lake Geneva. Last year he sold his interest in the Fair to Mrs. Auguste Lehmann. He belonged to the Directors of the First National Bank and the Chicago City Railway Company.
SOURCE: "Abendpost - December 01, 1906" (original text was in German language).
Source [link]: http://flps.newberry.org/article/5418474_11_1516
---
WIKI (extract): Otto Young was born in Elberfeld, Prussia. His father and grandfather were architects, and Young initially studied the same trade. He also attended school at the local Roman Catholic Church. When Young was ten, his father died. His mother immigrated to the United States three or four years later, leaving Young in Düsseldorf. Although Young was instructed to follow her when he had the means, he instead moved to London, England, living on Threadneedle Street. However, he soon ran out of money and struggled to find enough food to eat. While working a temporary job on a dock, Young decided to follow his mother to the United States. He boarded the SS Great Eastern, arriving in New York City. There, he noticed a particularly successful toy store on Broadway. He purchased a supply of toys from a wholesaler and peddled them on the street. After a week, he had saved up enough money to return to his mother. She encouraged him to attend a school, where he studied for eight months. Young then ran away and took a job as a clerk of a cigar store in New York City. In the early 1860s, Young used his savings from the cigar store to found a jewelry house. The store was very successful and he sold it in 1867 to establish a new store, intending to open it elsewhere in New York. In the meantime, however, he did some work for another New York trading house. This work took him to Chicago, Illinois in 1871 during the Great Chicago Fire. Young saw potential in the regrowth of the city and established a wholesale jewelry house the next year as Otto Young & Co. Younglands, the Otto Young estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1886, Young purchased a half interest in the The Fair Store, a department store founded by Ernst J. Lehman, upon its incorporation. The store's value quintupled from $200,000 to $1 million by 1890. By 1901, the company employed over 3,000 people. Young was also on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Chicago and the Chicago City Railway. In 1901, his vast estate, Younglands, was completed in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Renaissance Revival mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Young was also active in Chicago real estate. His largest holding was the Heyworth Building, designed by D. H. Burnham & Company. He also held portions of land under the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building and the Auditorium Building. In declining health, Young sold his portion of The Fair in 1903. He intended to build a large hotel near the Auditorium Building. Young married Ann Elizabeth Murphy in 1867. They had four daughters and a son that died young. In his son's memory, Young funded an addition to the Chicago Home for Incurables. He was a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. He enjoyed collecting rugs, and his Persian collection in Lake Geneva was thought to be worth over $150,000. Young died on November 30, 1906, at his Lake Geneva estate and was buried in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery. He was thought to be worth about $20 million at the time of his death; $460,000 was donated to charity in his will, mainly to the Home for Incurables.
The "WIKI" text was sourced from the: Chicago Daily Tribune, 9 Jun 1907, Sun, Page 46 (see images at right).
---
MARRIAGE:
m.1867 - Ann Elizabeth Murphy (~1846-????, d. after 1906)
-ooOoo-
CHILDREN:
i. John W. Young, b.~1873 IL., d.???? IL. (died young).
ii. Selma Young, b.~1876 IL, d.????
iii. Mary Young, b.~1878 IL., d.????
iv. Catherine Young, b.~1880 IL., d.????
v. Laura Young, b.~1882 IL., d.????
Married names of the four daughters:
- Mrs. Byron F. Hobart
- Mrs. Lawrence Heyworth
- Mrs. S. K. Martin
- Mrs. L. G. Kaufmann
---
TIME-LINE & RESIDENCES (of the subject, and family):
1844 - Birth of Otto Young, in Elberfeld, Prussia, on December 20th, 1844.
1854 - Father died (in Prussia).
1857 - Mother immigrated to USA (1857/8), left him in Düsseldorf.
1857 - Moved to “Threadneedle Street”, London, England.
1858 - Summer, he too immigrated to the USA on board the “SS Great Eastern”, arrived NYC.
1858 - Attended military school in, Cornwall-on-the-Hudson (for about 18 months).
1859 - His mother died.
1859 - Sent to live with relatives in New York.
1860 - Ran away and took a job as a clerk in a cigar store for $3 per week.
1861 - Started a jewelry business.
1867 - Sold that first jewelry business, and became a traveling salesman for a NY firm.
1867 - Mar. Ann Elizabeth Murphy (of VA.), New Orleans, LA.
1872 - Located in Chicago.
1872 - Founded business 149-151 St. Str., Chic., IL. (jewelry wholesale house).
1873 - Birth of son, John W. Young.
1876 - Birth of daughter, Selma Young.
1878 - Birth of daughter, Mary Young.
1880 - Birth of daughter, Catherine Young.
1882 - Birth of daughter, Laura Young
1885 - The “Fair Store” was incorporated.
1886 - Bought ½ of stock, “Fair Store” (from E.J. Lehman).
1888 - His Capital Stock in store was increased to $500K.
1890 - Store quintupled in value (from $200K to $1 Million).
1901 - Store had over 3,000 employees.
1901 - Resided 2032 Calumet, Chicago, IL.
1901 - Younglands completed by Geneva Lake.
1903 - Sold interest in “The Fair Store” to Mrs. A. Lehman.
1905 - Retired from business (net worth, est. $20 Million).
1906 - Death of Otto, at Geneva Lake home, 30-Nov- 1906.
---
"WI CENSUS 1905"
Name: Otto Young
Residence Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Age (Original): 60y
Birth Year (Estimated): Abt 1845
Birthplace: Germany
Relationship to Head of Household (Original Language): Head
Race: White
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Parent 1 Birthplace: Germany
Parent 2 Birthplace: Germany
Otto Young Head M 60y Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 50y Virginia
John A Rauber Servant M 30y Switzerland
Carrie Lewis Servant F 40y Norway
Frank H Herrick Servant M 34y Michigan
Johana Erickson Servant F 38y Sweden
Ida J Johnson Servant F 28y Sweden
SOURCE: Wisconsin State Census, 1905.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMQD-JDR
---
"US CENSUS 1900"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1900
Event Place Precinct 10 South Town Chicago city Ward 2, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 55
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Years Married 33
Birth Date Dec 1845
Birthplace Germany
Marriage Year (Estimated) 1867
Immigration Year 1860
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Otto Young Head M 55 Germany
Elizabeth Young Wife F 53 Virginia
Catherine Young Daughter F 20 Illinois
Laura Young Daughter F 18 Illinois
Mathilde Stoll Servant F 24 France
May Mc Carthy Servant F 37 Ireland
Mary T Bohn Servant F 22 Germany
Rosa Richardson Servant F 48 Germany
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1900.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSSK-SSG
---
"US CENSUS 1880"
Name Otto Young
Event Type Census
Event Year 1880
Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 35
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Occupation Wholesale Jeweler
Relationship to Head of Household Self
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Self
Birth Year (Estimated) 1845
Birthplace Germany
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Germany
Affiliate Name The U.S. (NARA)
Otto Young Self M 35 Germany
Elizebeth Young Wife F 33 Virginia [sic] {Elizabeth}
John W Young Son M 7 Illinois
Selma Young Daughter F 4 Illinois
Mary Young Daughter F 2 Illinois
Lizzie Witt Other F 17 Germany
Julius Snearing Other M 29 Germany
Jennie Burns Other F 18 Illinois
Nora Barrell Other F 20 Pennsylvania
SOURCE: US Federal Census, 1880.
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXJQ-Q16
---
"Wisconsin Death Index 1820-1907"
Name: Otto Young
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 1906
Event Place: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin
Residence Place: Chicago, Ill.
Gender: Male
Age: 61
Marital Status: Married
Race: white
Occupation: Merchant
Birth Date: 20 Dec 1844
Birth Year (Estimated): 1845
Birthplace: Elberfeld
Burial Place: Chicago
Cemetery: Oakwoods Cemetery
Father's Name: Johan Christinn
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Name: Marie Von Wingruber
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Spouse's Name: Ann Elizabeth
SOURCE: Wisconsin, Death Index 1820-1907
Source [link]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2B4-N9F
---
"NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES"
“Younglands” was added in 1979 (#81000063). Also known as the, “Stone Manor”, at 880 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin.
•Title: Younglands
•National Register Information System ID: 79000116
•Applicable Criteria: ARCHITECTURE / ENGINEERING / PERSON
•Architectural Styles: RENAISSANCE / OTHER
•Architects: Gay, Henry Lord
•Areas Of Significance: COMMERCE / ARCHITECTURE
•Periods Of Significance: 1900-1924; 1875-1899
•Significant Years: 1899; 1901
•Significant Names: Young,Otto
•Resource Type: BUILDING
•Related Collections: National Reg of Hist Places Collection
•Resource Format: pdf
•File Size (bytes): 22151
•Date Published: 9/18/1979
•Parks: National Register of Historic Places
•Locations: State of Wisconsin
•County: Walworth County
•Lake Geneva: 880 Lake Shore Dr.
•WISCONSIN: Walworth Co.; Lake Geneva
•Asset ID: 5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
SOURCE: listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
Source [link]: http://focus.nps.gov/AssetDetail?assetID=5943edd6-ab25-40b9-b5e9-7dade11ed77a
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