Jesse Young – a life well lived

DEATH OF MR JESSE YOUNG The death occurred suddenly on Friday of Mr Jesse Young, a gentleman who had been for several years in the public service of this State, and had an interesting and diversified career in many parts of the world. The deceased had for many years suffered ill health on account of a spinal cord affliction caused during an expedition to Klondyke, and had been constantly under the care of Dr Seed.
His death occurred whilst he was taking his morning tea at the boarding-house in which he resided in Collins street, Perth, and was so sudden that the matter was reported to the police. An inquiry was held by the coroner, who, after considering the circumstances, decided that an inquest was unnecessary. The late Mr. Young was born in May 1852, and was the son of the late Richard Young. M,P.D.L., at one time senior Sheriff of London and Middlesex.  He was educated at St. Andrew’s and at Christ College, Cambridge, England.

Ernest Giles Exploring Expedition, 1875, from left to right: Standing: Peter Nicholls, Alec Ross and Saleh. Sitting on chairs: Jesse Young, Ernest Giles, and W.H Tietkens.
Sitting on floor: Tommy Oldham

In 1869 he went to India with letters of introduction to the Governor General from the Speaker of the House of Commons, with a view of joining the Royal Bengal Marine. He was on Lord Mayo’s escort when that nobleman was stabbed in the Andaman Islands. In 1874 he first came to Australia. and as “Observer” accompanied Giles in his memorable exploring expedition from South Australia overland, through Central Australia to this State, after which he had the honour of being presented to the late Queen Victoria, the Czar of Russia, the King of Italy, the King of the Belgians, the Empress of Germany and other royalties, and received the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society.
His health broke down in 1878, and he was placed in the house of Messrs. Baring,-Wagoun and Co., of New York. He was also managing director of the American “Sanitas” Company, secretary of Edison’s Phonograph Company and treasurer of the Brewer Company. Resigning his appointments abroad he, in 1891, went back to England on family matters, and obtained employment under the Board of Agriculture. In 1892 he joined an expedition to the Arctic, and spent two years surveying on the Siberian coast. Returning then to West Australia, becoming Mining Registrar and Acting Warden of the Gascoyne district, and was later treasury cashier and Clerk of Courts, etc at Kanowna. Health then so completely failed him that he left the public service. He was afterwards engaged by the firm of J. S. Reed and Co. for some years, but latterly he was so subject to sudden and acute pain as to be obliged to live in idleness.

He passed away in Perth aged 57yrs and is buried in the Karakatta Cemetery in Perth WA