California Biographies, Santa Cruz County.
WESLEY P. YOUNG. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
 

WESLEY P. YOUNG. 

The early years in the life of Wesley P. Young were uneventfully passed on a farm in New Hampshire, where he 
was born in May of 1838, the descendant of an honored pioneer family of New England. The old homestead, around 
which his earliest recollections are centered, occupied a location where the rocky soil and rigorous winters offered 
only a scanty livelihood in return for the most exhausting labors, and in his boyhood lie determined to seek a location 
where Nature smiled more readily upon the efforts of man. As soon as he had attained maturity he started out to 
earn his own way and was attracted to the Pacific coast by its recognized opportunities and enjoyable climate. During 
1858 he came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Having gained a thorough knowledge of dairying in the 
east he sought employment at the occupation with which he was familiar, and followed this for a short time. Subsequently 
he conducted a dairy ranch on his own account in Marin county for five years, having a herd of three hundred cows and 
employing fourteen persons. Subsequently he established himself on a dairy ranch near Pescadero, San Mateo county, 
remaining there eight years, after which he started a dairy near Salinas on a ranch owned by David Jack. 

In 1867 Mr. Young was induced to come to Santa Cruz, the change of location appealing favorably to him as it was con- 
venient to bis two ranches, and also on account of the genial climate. Here he engaged in butchering and also in the 
grocery business. At this writing, and since about 1900, he has been proprietor of a large dyeing and cleaning establish- 
ment located at No, 20 Locust street, Santa Cruz. In this line of work he has been a pioneer and the success of the 
venture shows that it met an appreciated want. Since coming to this city he has bought real estate and identified him- 
self closely with the interests of the community. Particularly has he been active in local political affairs. From youth he 
has been steadfast in his devotion to Republican principles and he feels a pride in the fact that it was his privilege to 
cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. Twice he was elected to the council of Santa Cruz and during both 
of these terms he contributed his quota to the movements for local betterment. For a number of years he served as a 
member of the city school board. In fraternal relations he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows for a long period and meanwhile has been honored with election to all the chairs in the local lodge. Twice married, 
his first union took place in 1862, his wife being Miss Linora A. Walker. Five children were born of their marriage, 
namely : Elrey E. ; Etta, who is the wife of H. B. Arnold and resides in San Francisco; Percy, who makes Santa Cruz his 
home; Josephine, the wife of Normal Martin of San Francisco, where he is employed in the office of the Southern Pa- 
cific Railroad, and Foster, who during youth studied for the law, received admission to practice before the supreme 
court of California and is now an attorney in San Francisco. After the death of his first wife, which occurred in 1887, Mr. 
Young was united in marriage with May Rose McKay, a native of France. Among the substantial citizens of Santa 
Cruz he occupies a place. Public spirited in act, generous in disposition, loyal in patriotic devotion to the community, 
he represents that type of citizens so indispensable to the permanent progress of the state.