R. C. Young

As printed in 1910

R. C. YOUNG, M. D.

Sacrifice of some sort is involved in most professions. But the doctor, and especially the country doctor, bears more than his proportionate share. He has no time he can call his own; he must be ready to go at a patient's call at all times and to all places; he cannot always stop for needed rest, social convenience, or for the most serious business demands; when life is at state, his personal affairs, of however great importance to himself, must pass from view. Not only does he sacrifice time, but also health. He undergoes all exposure, goes freely into the presence of all diseases, including the most contagious, and even though he uses the best of protective measures and all sanitary care, he often falls a victim to disease, induced by caring for the ailments of others, a martyr to his profession.

R. C. Young, M. D., was born in McDonald county, Missouri, March 1, 1848, the son of Arthur and Rebecca (Gibson) Young. His father was born in Tennessee. When R. C. was two years old, his parents moved to this county. In 1850 his father started as a gold-seeker to California, but died en route. He was a farmer, owned six hundred acres of land near Lexington, and was a man of great activity and prominence in local affairs. He was a Democrat, and all the Youngs are Presbyterians.

R. C. Young was one of four children. He attended the schools in this county and was a student at the old Masonic College at Lexington during the last term of its existence. He then attended the Lexington schools as a boy and young man, and in 1867 entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, was graduated there in 1871, and began his professional career by practicing for two years with Doctor Webb of this township. Next he practiced for while at the place where he now lives, then one year in Wright county, Missouri; after that for ten years in Dallas county, Missouri. He then returned to the farm in Dover township, and about 1896 gave up the practice of medicine, from which time he has given his attention to general farming on his one hundred and seventy-acre farm, in which he has been as successful as he was in medical practice, and has prospered greatly.

Doctor Young was first married in 1874 to Mary Downing, who bore to him two children, Grinstead deceased, and Mary E. Mrs. Young died in September, 1881, and in 1885 the Doctor married Ollie M. Murrah. Doctor Young has always been a Democrat, but never cared for office. He is a believe in the Christian religion. He is a sociable man, and is living a very pleasant life on his comfortable farm, where he still finds much time for reading and study. His character is such as to gain and keep many friends. He can always be counted on to do all in his power for the advancement of common interests. His experience shows how valuable education may be to the farmer, for his education has enabled him to gain much more pleasure and profit from farming, after quitting his profession.

As printed in Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.