Minerva Ann Taylor(1853-1924)

CLAPP, TAYLOR

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 5/8/2008 at 10:35:23

BALDWIN

Obituary Mrs. Hendrix Taylor

The story of a life is not told by years and months and days. Some days are as years and the years as days; we should count time by heart throbs; we live by our loves, Seventy-one years, 8 months and 24 days is the record of the chronometer, but that is not all of life.

Minerva Ann Clapp, the fourth child of William and Naomi Clapp, was born near Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa, Nov. 28, 1853. Her girlhood days until 15 years were spent there, after which she moved with her family to Lost Nation.

On March 25, 1873, she was united in marriage to Hendrix Taylor and they came to the house which they made their home for 50 years together. The house of the honeymoon was the hallway of the heavenly home.

There were born to them ten children, the first five dying in their infancy. The others are Leroy, Ida, Mrs. Edgar Walsh; Edgar, Naomi and Arthur. The latter died when about two years of age.

The illness of Mrs. Taylor had continued about two and one-half years with increasing feebleness. About two years ago the husband and father was taken away after a short illness, yet this life so frail was continued.

During these weary days the daughter, Naomi, has been the faithful companion and nurse; every want was noted before it was mentioned, and patiently she cared, even during the last weeks she must divine the desire as the voice had failed.

During this illness Mrs. Taylor confessed her faith in Christ and left behind many testimonials of this abiding trust. She was baptized and received into the church. Her ministries during her life among the sick and needy were amply remembered by her neighbors and friends during these days of affliction; her wants and needs were amply supplied by them and she proved the text, “He that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

For one week the life slowly ebbed away, passing out beyond the horizon Friday night, August 21st.

Besides the children above mentioned there are six grandchildren, sons and daughters of Mrs. Welsh; also two sisters, Mrs. Maritta Pilkington of Sigourney, Iowa, and Mrs. S. J. McMullin of Los Angeles, Cal.; and four brothers, Alfred of Bryan, Ohio; W. Thomas, Crookston, Minn.; Howard, Los Angeles, Calif.; and Wesley of Cedar Rapids, Ia. These with the many friends will remain true believers in the friendship and love of Mrs. Taylor.

The funeral service was held from the late home at 1:30 August 24th, Gale H. Buchner directing, and Rev. D. C. Perry, pastor, preaching and reading the burial service at the Smithtown church.