John A. C. Taylor (1851-1931)

TAYLOR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/3/2022 at 22:48:23

John A. C. Taylor
(November 22, 1851 – April 6, 1931)

Prominent among the representative farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Jackson Township is numbered John A. C. Taylor, who now owns and operates a valuable farm of two hundred and seventy-four acres on sections 19 and 20. He came to Iowa in 1859 and has made his home in Calhoun County since 1885. A native of Indiana, he was born in Grant county, that state, on the 22d of November, 1851, and belongs to a good old North Carolina family of English origin. His great-grandfather, William Taylor, was a native of the latter state, as was also his grandfather, James B. Taylor, while his father, William T. Taylor, was born in Guilford County. North Carolina, September 23, 1828. In 1835 the grandfather removed with his family to Indiana and located in Grant County, being one of the first settlers of that locality. He was a mechanic and engaged in the manufacture and repair of wagons and furniture. In the Hoosier state William J. Taylor crew to manhood, and there married Miss Rebecca J. Hindman, a native of Grant County. During early life he followed the miller's trade for a number of years, and after coming to Iowa in 1859 operated a flouring mill in Montgomery county for seventeen years. He also engaged in farming to some extent, and continued his residence there until 1890, since which time he has made his home with our subject in Calhoun County. Mr. Taylor of this review came with his parents to Iowa when eight years of age, and remained with his father until his marriage, his education being acquired in the
common schools of Montgomery County. Before he attained his majority he was married, September 11, 1872, to Miss Effie S. Wilkins, who was born at Naperville, Du Page County, Illinois, but was reared and educated in Iowa, being a teacher prior to her marriage. Her father, Rev. Anson T. Wilkins. was a native of New York and an early settler of Illinois, whence be came to Iowa in 1854. taking up his residence in Benton County. For years be served as a minister of the Evangelical church, but is now living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. For two years after his marriage Mr. Taylor engaged in farming on rented land in Montgomery County, Iowa, and then purchased a place, which he operated until 1885, when he sold out and came to Calhoun County, buying at that time one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm in Jackson
Township. To the further improvement and cultivation of this place he has since devoted his energies and has extended its boundaries until they now contain two hundred and seventy-four acres. His residence was purchased by him and removed to his farm. There is a good set of farm buildings upon the place, as well as two windpumps and a feed mill; the land is divided into fields of convenient size by well-kept fence: and everything about the farm testifies to the industry and progressive spirit of the owner, who is accounted one of the most skillful. and thorough farmers of his community, he raises and fattens stock for market, shipping annually about one carload of cattle. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born two children: Bertha, the older daughter, is now the wife of Oscar Ripley, of Jackson Township, and they have two children, Elbert and Lila. Prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching school in this county for three or four years. Adella, the younger daughter, was educated at Lake City and Drake University, Des Moines, and has now taught school in Calhoun county for several years, having met with excellent
success in that undertaking. Besides their own daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have reared two other children as if they were their own, these being John W. and Mary L. Taylor, who were his brother's children and were left orphans when the former was only five years old and the latter an infant. Like his father Mr. Taylor was a staunch supporter of the Republican party, having
affiliated with it since casting his first presidential ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876. He served one term as township trustee; has been a member of the school board seven or eight years since coming to this county, and was school director in Montgomery County for a time. He takes a deep and commendable interest in public
affairs, but has never cared for political preferment. His success in life is due entirely to his own well-directed labors and good management, and he is now one of the well-to-do men of his community, as well as one of its honored and highly respected citizens. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.417]