Taylor, Hilem Bennett 1827-1894

TAYLOR, GREEN, BURDICK, BELLOWS, BUTTOLPH

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/11/2005 at 07:52:11

Died, at his home in Postville, Iowa at 12 o’clock Sunday night, Nov. 11th, 1894, from injuries received by a fall, Hilem Bennett TAYLOR, aged 67 years, four months and twenty-one days. Last week we briefly announced the fact of the accident that happened to Mr. TAYLOR on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 8th. At that time it was hoped that his injuries would not prove fatal, though there seemed to be little room for hope from the start. There was no way of fully ascertaining the extent of his injuries, as he was unconscious, or practically so, all the time. His head was known to be injured, his right wrist broken and his right thigh fractured. These were bad enough surely, but had there been no fatal injury to the brain or internal injury he would have at least lived longer, and might have recovered, though in a crippled condition. But it was not so to be, and at the hour of midnight, the following Sunday, he was released from pain, the vital spark departed, and all that was left of the upright man, the genial neighbor, the steadfast friend, the loving husband and father was inanimate clay! Perhaps very few men in Postville would be more generally missed by the whole community than H. B. TAYLOR. Having been a resident here for twenty years, and a number of years before that at Hardin, he was know by everybody and respected by all for his honor and uprightness, his kindness of heart, his correct habits and general usefulness in society. Behind a somewhat rough exterior there never lived a nobler, kinder, manlier man. It is with the sadness that usually attaches to the death of a near relative that we write these lines. For years we have met him almost daily in the home, in his shop, in our office, in the lodge room and elsewhere, and even in his fatal fall he was in the act of assisting us, as he had so often done before. And so it is with unfeigned sorrow that we say farewell to our old neighbor and friend. If there is, out on the ocean of eternity, an oasis in the desert of waters, an island of the blest, where men are judged for what they are rather than for what they seem to darkened, visions, we know that some kindly star will light his pathway to the peaceful harbor. Revered and almost worshipped by every member of his family, loved by his friends and respected by all, there must be a home where such as he will be forever at rest. Otherwise creation would be a failure and man would not be rewarded for the deeds done in the body. He has held the cooling draught to the parched lips of pain, he has given of his substance to the poor and needy, he has been a friend to all, and like the good Samaritan, he must have his reward. The following is a brief sketch of his life:

Hilem Bennett TAYLOR was born in Venice, Cayuga Co., N.Y., June 20, 1827. Married in the same place to Miss Eliza GREEN, May 18, 1853. A year and a half after marriage moved to Michigan, 40 miles north of Grand Rapids. After a year returned to New York, his mother having died. In October, 1871, he came to a farm near Hardin, where he stayed two years and a half. Has lived in Postville 21 years. Five sons and three daughters were born to them. A son, 16 years old, was buried 18 years ago. The two sons who reside in Nebraska, B. F. and H. B., Will, of Ames, and his daughter, Ella BURDICK, of Des Moines, and Mary BELLOWS, who resides here, were in attendance upon the funeral. A son, Lamotte, and daughter, Ida BUTTOLPH, who reside in western Kansas, were unable to be present. The funeral was held from the Methodist church on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. L. S. HAND officiating, the funeral being under the management of the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been a member for many years. Dr. CRAWFORD, of Waukon, conducted the services at the grave in a very impressive manner. The United Workmen, of which he was also a member, turned out in force, there being numerous members of both fraternities present from surrounding towns. The funeral was one of the largest ever held here. And thus as the sun was nearing the western horizon the last sad rites were completed and dust was returned to dust. Over the hallowed spot may the angel of peace hover and may consolation come to bleeding hearts pending a reunion under happier skies.

Postville Review, 11/17/1894 - contributed by Sharyl Ferrall