Real Old Lady

Aledo Times-Record Publishes An Interesting Sketch of One of Our

Old-Time Citizens

Wayne County Press Mar 5, 1931

Donated by Bettie Wheat

The following article is taken from the Time-Record, of Aledo, and concerns one of the old time citizens of Big Mound Township, who spent most of her life in Wayne County –Editor

The honor of being the oldest person in Aledo rest in a new head today. It belongs to Mrs. Nancy J. Young, who will celebrate her 94^th birthday July 29^th. The passing of more than four score and 10 years has failed to dim Mrs. Young’s remarkable mind which enabled her to learn 1,000 Bible verses and to win a Bible by reciting 937 of them in a contest. She remembered her childhood clearly and just as clearly keeps in touch with present day happenings.

Hobbies are conductive to long life and happiness scientist declare. Mrs. Young has a hobby, piecing quilts, and she enjoys thoroughly. “She has pierced thousands of quilts,” said her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Sager, of Aledo, with whom Mrs. Young makes her home at 401 N. Hemlock Street. “She just pieces quilts, eats and sleeps.” Mrs. Young smiled and agreed, although she explained that she is also fond of reading and is able to do so without glasses, although using a hand magnifying glass. She pointed with pride to her to her latest quilt which lay unfinished on the table beside her as she spoke. 

Mrs. Young comes of distinguished as well as pioneer stock, for her mother, Emaline Powell, traced her linage back to a sister of Quincy Adams. Not only were many of her ancestors soldiers of the Revolutionary War, but many of them laid down their lives for the new nation. Her great grandfather Nicholas Powell, lived to the ripe old age of 114 years. “Do you think you will live that long.” She was asked “No, I guess not,” she replied, but her mind and bearing would do credit to many persons 30 years her junior.

Her grandfather and father, Dewey and James Stinston, came to this country from Ireland, settled in Pennsylvania for a time and then plunged into the wilderness, westward bound. Her father walked the entire distance to Illinois, carrying a gun and driving the family cattle. They settled 10 miles northwest of Shawneetown and 2 ¼ miles west of Hew Haven, in Gallatin County, Il. Here Mrs. Young’s parents met and were married and on their pioneer homestead, Nancy was born, July 29, 1837. Her childhood was much like that of any pioneer child. At an early age she learned to spin, card and weave. She remembers long drives in ox wagon to meetings held in private homes. She was nearly 20 years old before she was inside a real church. Her father, J. A. Stinton, was a public school teacher. He died when she was only nine years old.  The family later moved to White and then to Wayne County, where she met Rev. C. A. Young, a young pioneer circuit rider and farmer. They were married July 1, 1852, and took a small claim. Only three acres of the heavy timber were cleared by her husband the first year of their married life, but this he tilled, gradually enlarging the …..

Clearing and working for other men between times. Like many pioneer women, Mrs. Young helped her husband in the field. Usually she took her little cloth bound Bible with her and as she rested she memorized verses from it. This laid the foundation of the remarkable number of verses which she was able to commit to memory.

Ten children were born to them of whom five died in infancy, and two are now living; Mrs. J. M. Sager, with whom Mrs. Young makes her home and E. M. Young, Enfield, Il. editor addition, she has 31 grandchildren _ 4 great grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. Rev and Mrs. Young were honored at a picnic attended by 800 persons on their golden wedding anniversary. Rev. Young died May 30, 1903, and since then she has lived with several of her children. More than eight years of that time has been spent with Mrs. Emma Prince Sager, of Aledo. Formerly of near Marston, she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

When she was a child, pioneer families were able to live with very few purchases at the stores, Mrs. Young recalls. The women carded, spun and wove all the clothing for the family and even shoes were made in the family. Not until she was 21 or 22 years old did she have a pair of store shoes. When she was married at 15 years of age her spinning wheel went with her and she continued to make clothing for her husband and family.

Mrs. Young had few associations with the Indians although she remembers that the men of her family knew the redskins well. She does remember, however, that when she and her husband moved to their homestead they chose a former Indian campsite and many relics were found by them.  

For those who wish to be 94 years old Mrs. Young has no definite instructions. “Of course,” she mused, “I have never smoked or used tobacco in any form and I never drank anything stronger than tea or coffee.” 

NOTE: Rev. C. A. Young and his wife Nancy J. are buried in Wayne County in the Victory cemetery.

Rev. C. A. was born Mar 22, 1833 and died May 30, 1903

Nancy J. was born July 29, 1837 and died April 18, 1936

Wayne Co. Press June 11, 1903

Rev. Chephas W (A) died he was 70y 2m 8d he leaves a widow, sons and daughters buried Bovee Cemetery (I found them in Victory Cemetery. Laurie Selpien)