1925 Biography - William L. Young

William L. Young. The confidence so long reposed by the public in Shreveport's oldest financial institution, time First National Bank of this city, may in a measure be explained by its known strength and stability, but to a large degree may be attributed to the honorable names of the sterling citizens who make up its official body and its directorate. Among these clear-headed, far-sighted, sagacious business men stands William L. Young, vice president and cashier. William L. Young was born at Homer, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, June 23, 1871, and bears a name of honor and distinction in Louisiana. His father, the late Col. John S. Young, a native of North Carolina, came early to Louisiana, achieving fame in this state in military service, in the law and in public affairs. He served with conspicuous bravery all through the Civil war, retiring with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Louisiana Regiment of Cavalry, and after its close established his home at Homer. There he became prominent in the law and on the bench of the District Court, and subsequently was elected a member of the United States Congress. In 1880 he removed to Shreveport, and afterward, for two terms, served as sheriff of Caddo Parish, remaining, however, until his death, in 1916, an influential factor in civic affairs. William L. Young completed his school course when sixteen years old, a natural inclination toward a business life and a coveted opportunity to enter the employ of the First National Bank of Shreveport causing him to lay his text books aside for a time. His first position in the bank was that of runner or messenger, but promotion followed and after serving as bookkeeper for some time he became teller. Mr. Young left the bank in 1900 to serve in the sheriffs office as chief deputy, during the term of the late Colonel Ward, then sheriff of Caddo Parish. In 1906 he became state bank commissioner of Louisiana, to which he was first appointed by Governor Blanchard, and successively by Governor Sanders and Governor Hall. In 1916 Mr. Young assisted in the organization of the City National Bank, of which he was made cashier, in 1919 the City National Bank was consolidated with the First National Bank, and Mr. Young became cashier under the style of the First National Bank, a name familiar and honored in financial circles at Shreveport for almost forty years it had its beginning in the '6Os as the private banking institution of the Jacobs Brothers, but on reorganization in 1886 became the First National Bank of Shreveport. Mr. Young's early and long connection with this bank, as well as his experience as bank examiner, have made his knowledge of banking business very thorough, and additionally his wide acquaintance and familiarity with Louisiana financial and industrial interests all combine to make him a safe and trustworthy counsellor on investments and all matters pertaining to finance. Mr. Young married Miss Lela Green, and they have one daughter, Martha Hamilton Young. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner, and belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being a past exalted ruler in the same.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from A History of Louisiana, by Henry E. Chambers, published in 1925, volume 2, pages 170-171.