Ernest L. Young
A number of excellent and competent contractors and builders have contributed to the substantial and material growth of Petaluma, but among this number probably the youngest in point of years is E. L. Young, although in point of accomplishments he may well take his place among those who have many more years to their credit. Like many of those who are profitably and interestingly engaged in business in this thriving town, he is a product of the east and brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience which he has put to good account in his new surroundings, and while he himself has undoubtedly derived the greater benefit from the change, his coming to this western town has meant an added impetus to its business, social and fraternal life.
A native of Massachusetts, E. L. Young was born in the city of Haverhill October 22, 1880, and was there reared, educated and gained his start in the world of business. His first insight and experience along this line was in a wholesale lumber yard in his native place, learning the business in all of its phases, and at the age of twenty-one he was an experienced lumber grader and surveyor. From this he branched out into contracting and building, beginning on a small scale and working up a steady and substantial business. Chances of a better opportunity in Lawrence, Mass., finally attracted him to that town, and the readiness with which he gathered a large business about him proved conclusively that the change was a wise one. Many large contracts for the erection of tenement buildings were accepted and executed, in doing which he had form thirty to forty men in his employ. It will thus be seen that when he came to Petaluma in 1904 he brought with him a valuable business asset in practical experience, and this he was here put to account, resulting in material benefit to himself, and incidentally to the town and surrounding country. Among the buildings that stand as monuments to his executive skill may be mentioned the Prince block, Van Marter block, the residences of William Farrell, M. E. Clough, Peter Blinn and Thomas Kyle, as well as any substantial warehouses. All of the aforementioned structures are in Petaluma, and he also erected the Odd Fellows building in Sonoma.
The same year in which he came to California, 1904, Mr. Young formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Loula F. Clough, who was born and reared in Vermont. Three children have been born of their marriage, Beckford, Leatha and Vivian. The family have a convenient, modern resident on D street, which Mr. Young erected to suit his own needs, and which is a model in architecture as well as a point of convenience and utility. Fraternally he is associated with the Odd Fellows order at Petaluma, and he is also a member of the local branch of the Patriarchs Militant.
History of Sonoma
County, California
History by Tom Gregory Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
May 15, 2012 Pages 902-903
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