John Smith Young (November 4, 1834 – October 11, 1916) was an American lawyer and Civil War veteran who served briefly as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana from 1878 to 1879.

He studied law, was admitted to the state bar, and started his career as an attorney-of-law in Homer, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.

On August 21, 1861, Young enlisted in Louisiana's 31st Infantry to serve in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.

In 1878, Young was elected as a Democrat to Congress to replace the deceased John E. Leonard for the final four months of the congressional term.

At age 66, Young finished his second term as sheriff and returned to practicing law in various capacities for several more years in Shreveport.