In 1914, he had recently sold his grain business and was traveling in San Francisco, California, where he was introduced to Ruth.

The couple were married in October 1914 in the Grand Canyon and moved to New York City, where Ruth followed her literary pursuits, and he studied photography.

Sanborn Young devoted his energies to politics, photography, raising racing dogs and beagles, and investments.

Because of Young's expertise, President Herbert Hoover appointed him as one of the United States delegates to the International Conference for the Limitation of the Manufacture of Drugs in 1931, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Sanborn Young said of his life, "My own claim to fame is that I married Ruth Comfort Mitchell, I became a California State Senator and wrote the narcotics bill, I raised the champion beagle."