Lafayette Young

1848–1926 (age 78)

Politician

Biography

Lafayette Young began his career in journalism, shaping public opinion through the printed word and fostering a deep respect for civic discourse. His work as a publisher and commentator attested to a belief that an informed citizenry was the best defense of liberty and that a calm, reasoned tone could heal the divisions of the day.

In 1910 he was called to serve briefly as a United States Senator from Iowa, where he championed the rights of his constituents and remained mindful of the balance between sound government and individual enterprise. He returned to private life before his death in 1926, leaving behind a reputation for steady moderation, and he is remembered in Woodland Cemetery as a faithful steward of public conversations.