J. R. Taylor

As printed in 1909

J. R. TAYLOR.

J. R. Taylor, numbered among the practical, energetic and progressive farmers of Brighton township, is the owner of four hundred and ten acres of rich and productive land and in addition to tilling the soil he raises and feeds stock. He was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, November 30, 1842, and comes of Virginian ancestry, the family having been established in the Old Dominion at an early period in the colonization of the new world

His parents were James and Priscilla (Edwards) Taylor. The father was born near Lexington, Kentucky, November 30, 1803, and from that place accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana during his boyhood days. He lived for nine years in Decatur county and for some time was a resident of Bartholomew county. In 1854 he removed westward to Washington county, Iowa, making the journey by wagon. His son, J. R. Taylor, was then a lad of eleven years and, with a boy's interest in everything that he sees, greatly enjoyed the trip. On reaching their destination the father secured a tract of land in Brighton township and began farming, making that place his home until his death, which occurred March 27, 1888, his remains being interred in New Haven, Iowa. Throughout his entire life he followed farming and was very successful in the work, transforming the wild prairie into fertile fields from which he annually gathered large harvests. In politics he was a democrat of decided views, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He also held membership in the Baptist church and his life in all of its relations was actuated by his Christian faith. While residing in Indiana James Taylor was married, on the 2d of May,

183 1, to Miss Priscilla Edwards, who was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, on a farm adjoining that which was the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Her death occurred in Washington county. May 25, 1884, and her grave was made in the New Haven cemetery. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children: David 'william. who was born September 19,

1832. and died in infancy; Sarah Jane, who was born September 29, 1835, and is deceased; Nancy, who was born August 27, 1837, and is the widow of John McCulIough; James Blackburn, born June 16, 1840, who has departed this Hfe; J. R., of this review; Jesse, who was born August 26, 1845, and is a resident farmer of Franklin township; Mary Elizabeth, who was born November 18, 1846, and died in infancy; and Joseph, who was born May 19. 1849, ynd also died in infancy.

J. R. Taylor was a lad of eleven years when he left his native state in company with his parents and came to Iowa. He had begun his education in the schools of Indiana and here he further continued his studies as a pupil in the common schools of Brighton township and in the village of Brighton. He remained at home with his father until twenty years of age and is still on land formerly in possession of his father. His home place now comprises four hundred and ten acres and the soil is rich and productive, responding readily to the care and labor which he places upon it. Most of the improvements have been put upon the farm by Mr. Taylor and the buildings and fences are always kept in good repair and indicate his careful supervision. He both raises and feeds stock and that branch of his business is proving a profitable source of income. He is likewise interested in an irrigation ditch in Wyoming.

On the 29th of January, 1863, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Nannie Cockland, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Eberly) Cockland. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio and in 1854 he came to Iowa, settling first in Marion township, Washington county. He resided in this county continuously until his death, which occurred June 28, 1891. He had long survived his wife, who passed away September 4, 1857. They were the parents of ten children: Jacob, who was born December 24, 1833, and is now a retired farmer living in Harrison county, Missouri; David, who was born December 25, 1835, "d is living retired in Washington; Levi, who was born December 23, 1837, and died in August, 1907, at the age of almost seventy years; Catherine, who was born January 21, 1839, and is the wife of Robert M. McCalman, proprietor of a canning factory in Dexter, Iowa; Maria, who was born June 13, 1841, and is deceased; Abraham, who was born in March, 1843, 3"d is living in Buffalo county, Nebraska; Samuel, who was born April 29, 1844, and is deceased; Nannie L., born October 20, 1846; John S., born November 20, 1848; and William H., who was born September 4, 1852, and is now deceased.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was blessed with five children: Jesse, who was born February 5, 1864, and is now connected with an irrigation ditch enterprise at Lander, Wyoming; Etta, who was born December 3, 1865, and is the wife of George Brinton, a retired farmer; Nellie, who was born April 18, 1870, and is the wife of E. S. Thomas, a farmer of Fairfield, Iowa; Vista, who was born August 25, 1873, and is the wife of Fred Mauthe, a farmer near Grace Hill, Iowa; and Fred, who was born August 21. 1882, and assists in the operation of the home farm.

In his political views Mr. Taylor is an earnest democrat and has served as township trustee but office holding has little attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. His wife is a member of the Baptist church and they are both worthy people who enjoy and merit the esteem and good will of their many friends.

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.