Richard M. Young

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Richard Montgomery Young (February 20, 1798November 28, 1861) was a U.S. Senator from Illinois.

Young was born in Fayette County, Kentucky and was admitted to the bar in 1814. In 1817, he moved his law practices to Jonesboro, Illinois and was appointed a Captain in the State Milita. He served in the Illinois state house from 1820-1822 and as a circuit court judge from 1825-1837. He resigned his judgeship after being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1937.

Upon the end of his term in the Senate, he was appointed to the Illinois State Supreme Court (1843-1847) and then became a land office commissioner by appointment of James K. Polk. He served as the Clerk to the United States House of Representatives in 1850 and practiced law in Washington, D.C. from 1851 until his death.

Young was the presiding judge at the 1844 trial of the accused murderers of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.

United States Senate
Preceded by
William L.D. Ewing
United States Senator (Class 3) from Illinois
1837–1843
Served alongside: John M. Robinson, Samuel McRoberts
Succeeded by
Sidney Breese