Taylor, Augustine R.

DAKIN, BUTTERFIELD, LAW, COY, TAYLOR, HOLT

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/10/2009 at 11:31:54

A man loyal in friendship, faithful in citizenship and honorable in all business relations, passed away when Augustine R. Taylor was called to his final rest, November 1, 1912. He was at that time living retired at Waverly, where he had been for almost a quarter of a century connected with the retail marble business and where his industry, honesty and success gained him a place among representative and substantial citizens. He is, moreover, entitled to mention in this volume, as a veteran of the Civil war, to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be fully paid. He was born in Jay, Maine, December 25, 1841, and is a son of Rufus and Abigail (Dakin) Taylor, also natives of the Pine Tree state, where the father engaged in farming. He resumed this occupation after he removed to Iowa, where his death occurred. He held a number of local offices in Maine and was prominent in the work of the Free Baptist church.

Augustine R. Taylor attended public school in Jay and was afterward a student in Bates College at Lewiston, Maine. At the age of nineteen he enlisted in the Eighth Regiment of Maine Volunteers as a private and was afterward promoted to be hospital steward, serving from April, 1861, until September, 1864. After his discharge he returned to Jay and there engaged in farming for five years, after which he moved to Chicago, Illinois. He afterward was emplyed in a wholesale marble works for about ten years. In 1881 he moved into Waverly and established himself as a retail dealer in marble, continuing alone for some time and then taking Mr. Gruben into partnership. They developed a large business, their selling territory including the city and surrounding districts, and the firm gained a gratifying reputation for honorable business methods and straightforward dealings. Mr. Taylor continued his connection with it for a number of years, finally disposing of his interests to his partner. He afterward lived a retired life in Waverly, where his death occurred November 10, 1912.

On the 25th of December, 1864, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Francena C. Butterfield, who was born in Wilton, near Jay, Maine, a daughter of Andrew S. and Hannah (Law) Butterfield, also natives of Wilton, the former born December 1, 1811, and the latter January 23 of the same year. The father was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation and was also prominent in public affairs, serving as selectman of his township for a number of years. He was captain of a company of state militia and prominent also in church work. He and his wife became the parents of five children, of whom the wife of the subject of this review is the fourth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor became the parents of two children. Gorham A. was born November 5, 1865, and is now assistant United States engineer in Duluth, Minnesota. He married Miss Gertrude Coy, a native of Laporte, Indiana, and they have two daughters, Ruth and Gertrude, at home. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor is Mrs. Anna (Taylor) Holt, who with her son, Howard Taylor Holt, resides with her mother in a comfortable home in Waverly erected by the subject of this review.

Mr. Taylor was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in this way kept in touch with his comrades of the civil war. After coming west he joined the Congregational church, of which he remained afterward a devout member. His political support was given to the republican party and while in Maine he served as supervisor, although he never sought public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs. He was one of the early settlers in this part of Iowa and throughout the greater part of his active life remained an honored and respected citizen of Bremer county.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914