In his youth he had a predilection for the study of the law, but finding it impracticable to carry out his wishes, he chose the printing business, which he began to learn in his sixteenth year. When he was eighteen he purchased the Dumfries _Reformer_, which he thenceforward conducted for about ten years. Under his management this paper--the politics whereof are sufficiently indicated by its name--attained great local influence, and was the means of making him known beyond the limits of the county of Waterloo. During the earlier part of his proprietorship the political articles in the paper were written by one of his friends, Mr. Young himself taking the general supervision, and contributing the local news. Upon the completion of his twentieth year he took the entire editorial control, which he retained until 1863, by which time his labours had somewhat affected his health. He then disposed of the _Reformer_, and retired from the press for a time. He soon afterwards went into the manufacturing business, and became the principal partner in the Victoria Steam Bending Works, Galt, which he carried on successfully for about five years. During his connection with the _Reformer_ he had necessarily taken a conspicuous part in the discussion of political questions, and his paper was an important factor in determining the results of the local election contests. He frequently "took the stump" on behalf of the Reform candidate, and was known throughout the county as a ready and graceful speaker. He took a conspicuous part in municipal affairs, and for six years sat in the Town Council. He was an active member of the School Board, and devoted much time to educational matters. He also took special interest in commercial and trade questions, on which he came to be regarded as a competent authority. In 1857 the Hamilton Mercantile Library Association offered a prize of fifty dollars for the best essay on the agricultural resources of the country. Mr. Young competed for, and won the prize, and the essay was immediately afterwards published under the title of "The Agricultural Resources of Canada, and the inducements they offer to British labourers intending to emigrate to this Continent." It was very favourably reviewed by the Canadian press, and was the means of greatly extending the author's reputation. Eight years later (in 1865) the proprietors of the Montreal _Trade Review_ offered two prizes for essays on the Reciprocity Treaty, which was then about to expire. Mr. Young sent in an essay to which the second prize was awarded. His success on this occasion procured him an invitation to the Commercial Convention held that year at Detroit, and he thus had an opportunity of hearing the great speech of the Hon. Joseph Howe.