Chapter Forty Six

September 28, 1939

Dr. Guilford E. Young resided in Forest City and was one of the leading physicians of the county and was among the most prominent citizens of the county. He was very successful in his profession. He had a very large practice and had to go far and near and was always busy. He almost invariably rode horseback when visiting his patients but in his older years he often used a buggy. He was known and loved by everyone that knew him, and the better they knew him the better they loved him.

Back in his day a lot of people would want to try home made remedies on the sick and they would ask him if it would be all right to give this or that kind of tea. He would frequently remark, “Well, it won’t do any harm.”

I always considered Dr. Young second to my father. Many times have I gone to him for information and advice. At times he might not be able to give the information I wanted, but he never failed to give me good advice. As well as a good doctor he was also a good business man. He was a great friend to the poor.

Dr. Young served on the county board of education from July 1909 until his death in 1914. He also served for a number of years on the school board of the Forest City graded school, being chairman of that board. He also served on the board of aldermen of the town of Forest City and was the town’s first mayor when the town was incorporated as Burnt Chimney in 1877. He always took a great interest in the welfare and upbuilding of the town and county.

Dr. Young married Miss Florence Jackson and they had seven children, six girls and one boy. Their names, as they were known to their friends, were Bell, Claude, Olive, Georgia, Kathleen, Nell and Margaret. Only three of these are now living.

Dr. Young was a deacon of the Baptist church and was a great believer in going to church. He was very liberal in the support of the church. He died in 1914, and as I remember now he was about seventy years of age. I have heard people remark, “When Dr. Young dies I don’t know what will happen to Forest City.” It is a great asset to any town to have men of such character and standing as Dr. Young, to give advice in the management of the affairs of the town.