Fred M. Young had the benefit of educational training in the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he left the parental roof and went to Council Bluffs, entering the employ of his brother-in-law, J. F. Wilcox, a florist of that city. It was under his instruction that he acquainted himself with the florist business, gaining comprehensive and accurate knowledge in every department and in every connection. After three years he went to Chicago, where he was identified with the firm of Bassett & Washburn, well known florists, with whom he continued for a year. He next went to Denver, Colorado, where he was in the employ of the Colfax Floral Company for three years and on the expiration of that period he went to Pueblo, Colorado, as manager of the George Fleischer Floral Company, in which capacity he served for eighteen months. He was afterward in Salt Lake City, where he occupied the position of manager of the Huddard Floral Company, with which he remained for three years. He then spent a short time in San Francisco and still later went to Seattle, where he became head gardener at the Bremerton navy yards, occupying that position for about six months. At that time his sister, who was living in Walla Walla, persuaded him to come to this city and he arrived here with the intention of going into business but was disappointed in raising the necessary capital. He went to work for James Wait, a florist with whom he continued for ten months, and later removed to Portland, Oregon, where he was in the employ of Martin & Forbes, with whom he remained for about a year and a half. In November, 1907, he resigned this position and returned to Walla Walla, opening a small flower store at No. 7 East Main street known as Bedell's Bazaar. On the 1st of May following Hampton Huff, who had a small greenhouse property on the present site of the Young & Lester greenhouses and who had become too old to work proposed to Mr. Young to go into business with him. Their capital was limited and Mr. Young gave Mr. Huff his note for seven thousand dollars for a half interest in the business. Thus he started out independently. They made enough money that spring to build another greenhouse and put in a new boiler. The following year they were able to build three more greenhouses and in the succeeding year Mr. Huff retired and Mr. Young secured a lease on the whole property with an option to buy. In 1913 he sold Clyde Lester an interest in the business and the present firm of Young & Lester was thus formed. The business has developed rapidly. Their plant is strictly modern and up-to-date. They have eight and three-fourths acres of land under cultivation, with about twenty-five thousand square feet under glass. Their city store is at 19 East Main street and is one of the most modern and attractive florist establishments in eastern Washington. There is no phase of the business with which Mr. Young is not thoroughly familiar. He has made a close study of plant development and propagation and everything in the line of growing plants and blooming flowers that can be raised in this section of the country is found in his establishment.