David Young

David Young (February 4, 1836 – April 19, 1907) was a farmer, businessman, minister and state legislator who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Louisiana State Senate during the Reconstruction era. After the civil war during which he came a free man, he became a prosperous farmer, businessman, politician and minister.

Biography

Young was born enslaved in Kentucky February 4, 1836,

Young then was elected to the Louisiana State Senate to serve from 1874 until 1878. He was forced to flee Concordia parish during a period of Democratic election violence and later cooperated with the Democrats to retain some Republican seats at a time when fair elections were deemed imposable due to violence and fraud. and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention representing Concordia.

In 1879 he decided to run again to serve in the house when he was nominated by the Republicans of Concordia. He was elected, however the issue of his previous embezzlement charge was brought before the Committee on Elections and Qualifications who judged on January 26 that he had been eligible to run. A few days later Young along with Harry Mahoney were denied their seats under article 171 of the constitution. His seat was given to Wade R. Young as the "only eligible candidate". In 1882 he was again elected to represent Concordia in the house, but again his legitimacy was challenged and was denied his seat. The case was brought before the house and again Young was declared intelligible ending in a resolution supported 52 yays to 22 nays.

After he left politics he became a Baptist minister in New Orleans and was head of the Zion Traveller's Baptist Church.

Death He died in New Orleans on April 19, 1907, and at the time was said to have been called "Bishop" due to his dignified bearing. At the time of his death, he had been the pastor of the Plymouth Rock Baptist Church and the vice president of the colored Baptist convention.