Woman of the Century/Martha Young

YOUNG, Miss Martha, author and poet, was born in Hale county, Ala. She is the daughter of Dr. E. Young, of Greensborough, Ala. Her grandfather, Col. E. Young, was a Virginian by birth, an honor graduate of Princeton, and in his day a leader of law and politics in Alabama. His wife was Miss Martha Lucia Margaret Strudwick, of North Carolina, a family of note in that State since the days of the Revolution. Her maternal ancestor was Dr. Henry Tutwiler, owner and principal of Greene Springs High School. He was the first full graduate of the University of Virginia, and a Virginian by birth. His wife was Miss Julia Ashe, of North Carolina, a member of a prominent family that has represented the State in many high offices. One of her ancestors was governor of North Carolina in 1795, and members of that family have in every generation since that year held many positions of honor and trust in North Carolina. Miss Young was graduated from the college in Livingston, Ala. The most valued part of her education was gained from the reading of innumerable volumes in the old family library. Her reading was always supervised by her mother, who was a woman of wonderfully clear mind and many accomplishments. MARTHA YOUNG. Miss Young's introduction to the reading public was a story published in a Christmas number of the New Orleans "Times-Democrat," entitled "A Nurse's Tale." Many other stories and ballads appeared during the following year in the "Southern Bivouac," Detroit "Free Press." "Home and Farm" and other journals, all signed "Eli Sheppard." These writings attracted attention because of their versification and faithful reproduction of the old-time negro character and language. Only a few friends knew the name of the author. Her identity was unveiled in the "Age-Herald" of Birmingham, which published an article signed Martha Young ("Eli Sheppard"). Joel Chandler Harris was among the first to recognize Miss Young's gift and, showing his faith by his works, asked her to cooperate with him in the preparation of a work entitled "Songs and Ballads of Old-Time Plantations." "The First Waltz," a serial story by her, published in the New York "Home Journal," was a finished production. Her contributions have been published in the "Atlantic Monthly," "Cosmopolitan Magazine," "Belford's Magazine," "Home-Maker," "Century," "Wide-Awake," "Youth's Companion" and many papers, among the latter the Boston "Transcript."