Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-Clarence Taylor


Portrait and Biographical Record of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




CLARENCE TAYLOR, whose progressive spirit and excellent business ability have made him one of the prominent farmers and wealthy citizens of Rhinehart Township, Dickinson County, resides on section 32. He was born on the 9th of February, 1862, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the fourth in a family of nine children. His education was acquired in the public schools of that city, he spending his summers upon his father's farm in Kansas after he was fourteen years of age, hut in the winter season he returned to the Buckeye State and continued his studies. Under the parental roof he remained until he had attained his majority, when, on his twenty-first birthday, his father gave him a deed to the farm which is now his home.

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey. Mr. Taylor chose Miss Nellie Hatfield, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a daughter of John Hatfield. Their union occurred on the 5th of November, 1884, and they began their domestic life on the farm where they have since lived. The family circle now numbers our subject, his estimable wife and four children, Albert, Lillian, Millard and Hazel.

Mr. Taylor now owns all of section 32, township 13, range 4 east, and his farm is one of the most desirable in central Kansas. Two large stone barns, erected at a cost of $2,000, furnish shelter for the stock, in addition to extensive sheds and other buildings. He engages quite largely in stockraising, feeding from thirty to forty head of cattle, in addition to which he has a herd of fifteen thoroughbred Shorthorns. He also has about two hundred head of Poland-China hogs. Among the other improvements upon the farm is a steam feed mill, which was erected at a cost of about $2,000 and is in excellent running order. A large orchard is supplied with all kinds of fruit trees, eight acres being planted in apple trees, and a large number of pear trees have also been set out, together with three hundred cherry trees, from which he sold in 1891 one hundred and five bushels of cherries.

The farm is under the immediate supervision of Mr. Taylor, who employs four hands to aid him in its cultivation and improvement. This handsome tract of land, lying with a gentle slope toward the south, yields to him a golden tribute and places him among the prosperous citizens of Dickinson County. He is also running the elevator at Pearl and is engaged here in buying grain and stock and selling coal. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Hiawatha Methodist Episcopal Church. In social circles, this worthy couple rank high and their home, a commodious gray stone residence, is the abode of hospitality.

In his political views, our subject is a Republican. The business propensity of the Taylor family is shown in our subject, who is sagacious and far-sighted, he does not allow himself to be overreached in any transaction, and is alike honorable with all with whom he deals. He is a progressive farmer, ready to advocate any method for the improvement of agriculture. His judgment is reliable and his word is as good as his bond. His efforts have been ably seconded and assisted by his estimable wife, who is an excellent financier and able manager. With their pleasant little family in their home, they are surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Taylor is a cultured, courteous gentleman, whose genial good nature wins him friends wherever he goes.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP