J. Smith Young
Encyclopedia
John Smith Young was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana
. He was born in Raleigh, North Carolina
, but grew up in Arkansas
on a family plantation. He attended Centenary College
, graduating in 1855. After several years managing the plantation, he earned a law degree. He spent a year as a practicing attorney, before volunteering to fighting for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
. He rose to the rank of lieutenant
.
After the war, Young returned to his law firm, before running for several public offices. In 1870, he became a parish (county) judge, in 1872, a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
, and in 1876, a state judge. In 1878, Young was elected as a Democrat to Congress to replace the deceased John E. Leonard
. However, he yearned to return to his law practice, choosing not to run for reelection, but to travel back to Louisiana. From 1892 to 1900, Young became Caddo Parish
sheriff
. He practiced law for several more years, before he retired. He died in Shreveport
, Louisiana
and is buried in Shreveport's Oakland Cemetery,Section 6, Lot 7.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He was born in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, but grew up in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
on a family plantation. He attended Centenary College
Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana is a primarily undergraduate, liberal arts and sciences college in Shreveport, Louisiana. The college is one of the founding members of the Associated Colleges of the South, a pedagogical organization consisting of sixteen Southern liberal arts colleges...
, graduating in 1855. After several years managing the plantation, he earned a law degree. He spent a year as a practicing attorney, before volunteering to fighting for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He rose to the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
.
After the war, Young returned to his law firm, before running for several public offices. In 1870, he became a parish (county) judge, in 1872, a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana House of Representatives
The Louisiana House of Representatives is the lower house in the Louisiana State Legislature, the state legislature of the US state of Louisiana. The House is composed of 105 Representatives, each of whom represents approximately 42,500 people . Members serve four-year terms with a term limit of...
, and in 1876, a state judge. In 1878, Young was elected as a Democrat to Congress to replace the deceased John E. Leonard
John E. Leonard
John Edwards Leonard was a United States Representative from Louisiana. He was the grandnephew of John Edwards who also served in Congress...
. However, he yearned to return to his law practice, choosing not to run for reelection, but to travel back to Louisiana. From 1892 to 1900, Young became Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Caddo Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Shreveport; as of 2000, the population was 252,161...
sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
. He practiced law for several more years, before he retired. He died in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and is buried in Shreveport's Oakland Cemetery,Section 6, Lot 7.