Owen D. Young (1874-1962), American industrialist and monetary authority, authored financial plans for Germany after World War I.

Owen D. Young was born Oct. 27, 1874, on a farm near Van Hornesville, NY. At the age of 16 he entered St. Lawrence University and in 1896 took his law degree cum laude from the Boston University Law School. Starting as a clerk in the firm of Charles H. Tyler, in 1907 Young became a partner. He also lectured at the Boston Law School. In 1898 he married Josephine Edmonds, who bore him four sons.

Young specialized in public utility securities law. The Panic of 1893 and the ensuing depression required reorganization of many utility companies, mainly because of the demise of their major supplier, General Electric (GE).

In 1913 Young's handling of a case against a GE subsidiary brought an invitation to become GE's general counsel. By 1922 he had become chairman of the board. Always interested...