Charles L. Young Sr. (August 27, 1931 – April 29, 2009)[1] was an American businessman, veteran of the Korean War who earned a Bronze Star, and politician in Mississippi. He advanced in the family business started by his father, becoming president in 1969 and expanding the sale of E.F. Young Jr. Manufacturing Company products into markets in Canada and the Caribbean. In 1980 he was elected to the Mississippi State Legislature, and was repeatedly re-elected, serving nearly three decades from Meridian, Mississippi until his death.
Biography
Charles Lemuel Young Sr. was born in Meridian, Mississippi in Lauderdale County, Mississippi,[1] the eldest son and second of three children of E. F. Young Jr., an African-American entrepreneur and Velma Beal (November 4, 1902–February 1987).[2]
The year he was born, his father E. F. Young Jr. founded the E. F. Young Jr. Manufacturing Company in Meridian, Mississippi. Within a few years, he built it up as one of the most prominent black-owned businesses in the South.[3] Like his two siblings, Young would be exposed to the family business at an early age. In 1950, while he was attending Tennessee State University, a historically black college in Nashville, his father died.
After graduating in 1951, Young entered the US Army and served in the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star.[1]
He married Doretha Connor of Port Arthur, Texas on August 4, 1960.[4] They had four children together:[1]
- Charles Lemuel "Chuck" Young Jr., serves in the Mississippi House of Representatives, District 82 (2012–present)[5][6]
- Deidre Young-Milton
- Arthur S. Young
- Vel(dore) Young-Graham, serves as County Court Judge for Lauderdale County, Mississippi[7]
E. F. Young Jr. Manufacturing Company
Young was actively involved with the family business for fifteen years, advancing to the position of president in 1969. Under his leadership, the company expanded its markets into Canada and the Caribbean, selling products for people of African descent.[8]
As an entrepreneur, Young established himself in the local business community. He was the first African-American member of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce. He also became active in the Democratic Party, with which most African Americans affiliated after regaining the ability to vote under national civil rights legislation.
Electoral history
In 1980, Young was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives.[9] He was repeatedly re-elected, serving for almost three decades until his death.[10][11]
2003
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles L. Young, Sr. (inc.) | 1,315 | 100.00 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles L. Young, Sr. (inc.) | 4,299 | 100.00 | |
2007
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles L. Young, Sr. (inc.) | 1,668 | 100.00 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bobby Ray Smith | 1,248 | 34.07 | |
| Democratic | Charles L. Young, Sr. (inc.) | 2,415 | 65.93 | |
His son, Charles, Jr., was elected to his former seat in 2012.[5]
Death
Young suffered a massive heart attack and died at the Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.[11]
References
- Phelps, Shirelle (editor), Who's Who Among African Americans, Gale Research, Detroit; London, 1998 (Eleventh Edition)
- ^ a b c d Who's Who among African Americans, 11th Edition, Detroit and London: Gale Research, 1998
- ^ "Social Security Death Index [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
- ^ "The Legacy: 1931-1950". Meridian, Mississippi: E. F. Young Jr. Manufacturing Company. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- ^ "Texas, Select County Marriage Records, 1837-2015 [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. 2014. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
- ^ a b "Charles Young, Jr". Mississippi House of Representatives. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Your Government Officials". Meridian, Mississippi: Meridian Star. 23 February 2020. p. I6.
- ^ "County Court". Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ E.F. Young Manufacturing Company website at: http://www.efyoungjr.com
- ^ University of Southern Mississippi oral history at: "Oral History Transcripts - Charles L. Young Sr". Archived from the original on 2008-04-12. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ [1], Clarion Ledger, 20 April 2009[dead link]
- ^ a b Brown, Ida (2009-04-30). "Meridian loses giant". Meridian (MS) Star. Meridian, Mississippi. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
- ^ "Official Recapitulation: Mississippi Democratic Party, First Primary" (PDF). Secretary of State. State of Mississippi. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Total Votes Reported by County for the 2003 General Election" (PDF). Secretary of State. State of Mississippi. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Official Recapitulation: Primary Election" (PDF). Secretary of State. State of Mississippi. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Total Votes Reported by County for the 2007 General Election" (PDF). Secretary of State. State of Mississippi. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
External links
- E. F. Young Jr. Manufacturing Company
- University of Southern Mississippi - "Civil Rights Document Project"
This page was last edited on 13 February 2024, at 02:22