John M. Young is a native of Perry County, Tenn., born April 4, 1840, the eldest of five children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ledhetter) Young, and of Irish extraction. His father, a native of Tennessee, was born in Dickson County in April, 1816, and was brought to Perry County when only two years of age, and here has since resided. He is yet hale and vigorous, and has held the following offices in the county: sheriff, magistrate and trustee. The mother was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1818, and came to Perry County at the age of nineteen. She is still living at the old homestead in fair health and activity. Our subject has always made farming his chief business in life. August 23, 1863, he wedded Sarah E. Ledbetter, who was born September 10, 1834, and daughter of G. C. Ledbetter, whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Young have five living children: Samuel G., Robert T., William H., John Brownlow and James Walker. Mr. Young is a warm Republican, and he and Mrs. Young are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns a farm of 300 acres on Buffalo River, on which is erected a commodious and substantial residence. Mr. Young has served two terms as magistrate, and one year as deputy sheriff of the county. He is considered one of the influential men of the county, and, so far as his means will justify, aids all laudable enterprises.