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Tim dwindling number of surviving members of ‘87 was further reduced when, on February 12, 1948, our First Cadet Captain. <em>Edward Clinton Young</em>, affectionately called “Dad” by his classmates, broke ranks and marched away in answer to his Maker’s summons,— “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”</p>
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“Dad” Young was born March 1, 1862, in a log cabin situated half way between Savannah and St. Joseph, Mo. He was the oldest of seven children born to William H. Young and Lucinda J. Young, nee Ricketts. His father died when he was ten years old and he felt a responsibility for his mother at once, taking a job binding wheat on a nearby farm; at thirteen he earned a man’s pay binding and threshing on Saturdays. He was educated in the public schools; graduating at the age of seventeen from the Savannah, Mo. high school; he was the first to graduate in the first class, 1879. He taught school for four years and was engaged in the study of law when he received his appointment as Cadet to the United States Military Academy in 1883 by the Congressman from St. Joseph. Mo., and was admitted July 1st.</p>
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Living with “Dad” for three and a half years I learned to appreciate the qualities which earned the affectionate regard of his classmates. The regard and confidence of upper classmen, tactical and other officers with whom he came in contact, was shown by his appointment in 1886 as “Senior Cadet Captain of the Corps”, usually called “First Captain”. No other Cadet honor can be compared to this one. He filled the post with dignity and ability until his graduation a year later. He graduated No. 5 In the class, which made him eligible for appointment to any branch of the service. He chose the Engineers, but there were no vacancies and he therefore asked for an assignment to the Infantry. Because of scarcity of vacancies for Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army, and the fact that there were 24 in the Class waiting for regular appointments, the War Department was not averse to resignations. Knowing this, and having good business prospects, Dad resigned September 30, 1887, and established himself in business in Chicago.</p>
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The military spirit which he always possessed, and which had been materially increased by his West Point training, would not down. He joined the Illinois National Guard February 14, 1890, serving until January 1, 1914, first as Captain, First Infantry, then Major, Cavalry Squadron, Colonel 1st Cavalry, Brigadier General and as Major General, Commanding, from 1907 to his retirement. During the Spanish War he organized and commanded the First Regiment of Cavalry, Illinois Volunteers, and was honorably mustered out October 11, 1898 at Ft. Sheridan, IL</p>
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As Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Guard Association of the United States from 1910 to 1914, General Young had charge of legislation before Congress which resulted in our present National Guard laws.</p>
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At the beginning of World War I he volunteered his services to the National Government and to the State of Illinois. He was a member of the State Board of National Defense and was made Brigadier General of the Illinois Reserve Infantry in September 1917, serving until March, 1918, when he resigned because of removal to New York City.</p>
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“Dad” was very successful in business, occupying many important positions. He retired as President and Director of Belding-Heminway Co. January 1, 1929. His civic activities included the Presidency of “The Forward Movement” Social Settlement. Chicago, the organization of the Boy Scouts in Illinois; member of the Chicago Charter Convention and the Chicago Planning Commission; Director of the Union League Club of Chicago. He organized and marshalled the Sound Money Parade in 1896, the Prosperity Parade in 1900, the Chicago Centennial Parade, the McKinley Memorial Parade, the Military Tournament at Grant Park, Chicago in 1910, and the Preparedness Parade in 1916, with 135,000 in line.</p>
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“Dad” married Mary E. Belding in Chicago in 1888, who died in 1926. In 1928 he married Elizabeth Crofut of New York City and they took up their residence in Scarsdale, N. Y., visiting West Point yearly for Graduation week. Just before our Fiftieth reunion Dud and his wife gave a garden party at their home for all of tile Class of ‘87 and their families who came to West Point. There were fourteen of us on this happy and memorable occasion, June 8th, 1937.</p>
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While in Scarsdale “Dad” organized the Scarsdale Art Association. His interest in Art, he said, dated back to his topography maps of West Point. McClure told him they were still used at the institution. He loved beauty and began collecting fine examples of American paintings, ultimately owning one of the finest collections in the country.</p>
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In 1941 “Dad” and his wife moved to Sierra Madre, California, purchasing a home in the foothills. Here he spent seven happy, active years. He was a Kiwanian, and in the War period became Chairman of the Rehabilitation Committee of Sierra Madre, for returning G.I.’s. He made many friends among the young people of the community and among the college community at Claremont. Cal. On his 83rd birthday, March 1, 1945, he and Mrs. Young presented Scripps College at Claremont with their entire collection of American paintings.</p>
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In June 1947 “Dad” and his wife went to West Point for his 60th class reunion, meeting there. Lenihan, Jenkins and Gerhardt—with Young, almost 50% of the survivors of ‘87.</p>
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On February 12, 1948 a sudden stroke took him painlessly and peacefully away. So rests a Christian gentleman, after a life dedicated to “Duty, Honor, Country”. Funeral services at his home and commitment at San Gabriel Cemetery were conducted by his pastor, Dr. Eugene Carson Blake of the Pasadena Presbyterian Church. With Mrs. Young were Col. Wm. H. Young and wife, Mr. Hiram B. Young, and Mrs. Alice Young McClory and son. E. C. Young, Jr. was absent.</p>
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Of the eight surviving members of ‘87 there were three present—Farnsworth, Lewis and Adams. All of us knew we had lost a friend, I also felt I had lost a brother.</p>
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From one of Dad’s young friends comes this perfect tribute—</p>
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“He has left so much of beauty, inspiration and joy—all an integral part of his own being—that in a real sense he will always be with us, living forever in our hearts and minds.”</p>
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<em>—Henry Ranney Adams, ‘87</em></p>
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