Samuel H. Young (1922–2017)

Early life and education

Young was born in Casey, Illinois, on December 26, 1922. He pursued higher education at the University of Illinois, where he completed his studies before moving into a career that eventually led to public office. Details of his pre‑Congress professional life are summarized in public records of his candidacy and term of service.

Congressional career

Young won election to the House of Representatives in 1972 and served a single two‑year term. He sat in the 93rd United States Congress, participating in the legislative work of that period. In the 1974 election cycle he was defeated by Democrat Abner J. Mikva, who succeeded him on January 3, 1975. The 1974 elections produced significant partisan shifts nationally, and Young’s defeat was part of that broader pattern.

Later life and death

After leaving Congress Young remained a figure of note in Illinois political history. He lived in northern Illinois and died at his home in Glenview, Illinois, on September 23, 2017, at the age of 94. The cause of death was complications related to Alzheimer's disease.

Significance and context

Although Young’s time in Washington was brief, his service reflects the competitive politics of suburban Illinois in the early 1970s. Single‑term representatives often illustrate how national events and local dynamics interact to shape congressional turnover. His career is part of the historical record for observers studying shifts in Illinois representation and mid‑20th century American politics.

Quick facts

• Full name: Samuel Hollingsworth Young.
• Born: December 26, 1922, in Casey, Illinois.
• Education: University of Illinois.
• Office: U.S. Representative, 10th district of Illinois (1973–1975).
• Party: Republican.
• Succeeded by: Abner J. Mikva.
• Died: September 23, 2017, in Glenview, Illinois, due to complications of Alzheimer's disease.