Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-William D. Taylor
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
WILLIAM D. TAYLOR. Among the successful farmers and
stock-breeders of Clay
County, this gentleman deserves mention.
He keeps the best and most popular breeds of
horses and cattle. He is located on section 4, Mulberry
Township, his farm being favorably situated
on the first bottom of the Republican River, and
between that stream and Scribner Creek. Mr. Taylor
purchased the farm in 1882, and has since made
most of the improvements upon it, which include
adequate and substantial farm buildings of various
kinds. Mr. Taylor came to this county from Brantford
Township, Washington County, where he had
lived for a year previous, and to which he had
removed from his native State of Illinois.
The grandparents of our subject, William and
Ellen (McMahan) Taylor, were born in the Old
Dominion, both being of Irish parentage. They
went to Kentucky in early life, and there were married,
making their home near Hopkinsville for
many years. Several children were there born to
them. In the early part of the present century
they settled in Williamson County, Ill., the country
around them being all unbroken by the hand of
man. They improved a large tract, and succeeded
well in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty
of the latter. Mrs. Taylor died about the
year 1867, at the age of seventy years. Mr. Taylor
survived until the summer of 1874, when he
too passed away, having lived to the advanced age
of ninety years. His death was the result of old
age, and he passed away as if in sleep. At the time
of his decease, every tooth in his head was sound.
He had been a temperate man in all things, and was
of pronounced morals. He belonged to no religious
body, but in most particulars held the faith of the
Christian Church. In his political views he was
first a Whig, and later a Republican. In his place
and generation he was a representative citizen.
James Taylor, the son of the above noted, was
born in Kentucky, and removed with his parents
to Illinois. There he was married to Miss Sabra
Hindman, a native of Williamson County. She bore
him four sons and four daughters, all but two of
whom are still living, all the survivors having families.
She died some years since, and Mr. Taylor
is now living with his second wife. He is now
nearly four-score years of age, has always been a
man of steady habits and highly respected by his
neighbors.
When Abraham Lincoln issued his second call
for troops in 1861, James Taylor and three sons,
William II, Elias, and Newton, answered the call.
The father and two sons were enrolled in the 60th Illinois Infantry, Company K, the regiment being
commanded by Col. Toler. The 60th served under
the gallant Gen. Sherman, while the regiment to
which the son Newton belonged, was under command
of "Pap" Thomas. All of the family group
were privates except one, Elias, who held the rank
of Orderly Sergeant. All reported for duty nearly
every day during their terms of service, and took
an active part in all the engagements of their regiments.
The father was twice wounded, both times
seriously, he being the only one of the band who
was injured. All, however, narrowly escaped
wounds, receiving numerous bullet holes in their
clothing. Each served more than three years, the
entire period of the father's army-iife being four
and a half years, he having re-enlisted as a veteran.
William H. Taylor, the subject of this sketch,
was born in Herring Prairie, Williamson Co., Ill.,
on the 14th of January, 1838, and is the eldest
of his mother's children. He was the recipient
of excellent home training from his worthy
parents, and resided under the home roof until after
the breaking out of the Civil War, when he accompanied
his father and brothers to the front. When
mustered out of service after his valiant army life,
he took up for himself the duties of a civilian. He
was married in his native county, to Miss Elizabeth
E. McInturff, in whom he found the qualities he
thought most desirable in a life companion. After
some years residence in their native State and
county, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor removed to Kansas,
as noted at the beginning of this sketch.
Mrs. Taylor was born in Tennessee, but reared in
Williamson County, Ill. Her parents, James and
Catherine Ann (Clapp) McInturff are natives of
Tennessee, whence they removed to Kentucky, later
to Illinois, and finally to Kansas. They are now
living in Vining, this county, retired farmers, both
being well advanced in years. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had nine children born to them, five of
whom have been removed from them by death.
The deceased are Eddie and Myrtie, twins, and three
infants unnamed. The survivors are Joanna May,
James H., and Nannie C. and Belle S., twins. They
are well-educated, very intelligent for their years,
and possessed of good manners.
Mr. Taylor is a member of Sedgwick Post No
24, G. A. R., of Clifton. In politics, he is a Republican.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and the two eldest
children, are members of the Christian Church, in
which he holds the office of Elder, and has been an
official member since the organization of the society
here, a work in which he was very instrumental.
The church is generously supported by him.