John Willard Young
1844–1924 (79 years)
Hometown: Nauvoo, Illinois
Biography
John Willard Young was a son of Brigham Young who was ordained an apostle in 1855 at age 11—the youngest person ever ordained to that office. However, he was never made a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Young’s ordination was part of Brigham Young’s broader effort to establish a succession structure within his own family. He practiced polygamy with six wives. His life was marked by financial difficulties and scandal, including bankruptcy.
He eventually moved to New York City, distancing himself from church activity. His unusual ordination at such a young age and subsequent troubled life make him one of the more peculiar figures in apostolic history.
Parents
Served Under
Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:
Wives (6)
John Willard Young was a polygamist with 6 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time. 2 of these wives were a teenager (18 or less) at the time of marriage.
6 wives · Lifespan: 1844–1924
20 children from 5 wives · Lifespan: 1844–1924
6 wives · Ages at marriage
| # | Name | Born | Died | Married | Her Age | His Age | Age Diff | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 7, 1847 | May 16, 1915 | Feb 16, 1864 | 16 | 19 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2 | Mar 17, 1846 | Apr 17, 1885 | Mar 26, 1865 | 19 | 20 | 1 | 4 | |
| 3 | Feb 28, 1845 | Jun 6, 1916 | Nov 2, 1867 | 22 | 23 | 1 | 6 | |
| 4 | Oct 21, 1860 | Jul 19, 1920 | Sep 18, 1877 | 16 | 32 | 16 | 4 | |
| 5 | Nov 28, 1859 | Feb 5, 1924 | Jan 2, 1879 | 19 | 34 | 15 | 2 | |
| 6 | Jun 8, 1862 | Jul 14, 1920 | Mar 3, 1893 | 30 | 48 | 18 | 0 |
Children (20)
With
Lucy Maria Canfield
(4 children)
- John Wesley Young (b. Jan 1, 1865)
- Almono Loeto Young (b. Jan 1, 1868)
- George Washington Young (b. Jan 1, 1871)
- Edith Young (b. Jan 1, 1874)
With Clara Lucinda Jones (4 children)
- Nathaniel Young (b. Jan 1, 1865)
- Joseph Ernest Young (b. Jan 1, 1869)
- Rudolph Jones Young (b. Jan 1, 1870)
- Gertrude Young (b. Jan 1, 1872)
With Elizabeth Canfield (6 children)
- John Wesley Young (b. Jan 1, 1868)
- Brigham Willard Young (b. Jan 1, 1869)
- William Hooper Young (b. Jan 1, 1871)
- Erle Canfield Young (b. Jan 1, 1872)
- Hooper Young (b. Mar 12, 1871)
- Earl Canfield Young (b. Jan 1, 1872)
With
Luella Lucy Cobb
(4 children)
- Wilford Van Cott Young (b. Jan 1, 1878)
- Mary Luella Merza Young (b. Jan 1, 1880)
- Grace Constance Young (b. Jan 1, 1884)
- Lillian Barclay Young (b. Jan 1, 1887)
With
Adolphine Bertha Christine Damke
(2 children)
- Alice Anna Young (b. Jan 1, 1881)
- Catherine Lucile Young (b. Jan 1, 1884)