Taylor, Cyrus 1822 - 1896

TAYLOR, CRAIG

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/24/2003 at 07:29:00

Died in Pursuit of Health

The telegram Monday morning, bringing the news of the death of Cyrus Taylor, was a surprise and shock to his friends here and throughout Jasper County, where he has been known for so many years. His death occurred at Santa Ana, California, and must have been quite sudden, as a letter to his son, Perry, received only a few days before, stated that he was feeling unusually well; and Dr. Smead, of Sully, had a letter from him on Saturday, full of encouragement as to his health, and the doctor had expected to start in a few days to join Mr. Taylor at Santa Ana, from which place they would together make a trip along the coast.

Mr. Taylor was one of the best-known men in Central Iowa. His farm near Sully, where he has resided for many years, is one of the largest in the county, and his fame as a breeder of fine horses and cattle is known all over the state. Failing health has led him to spend his winters of late years in California. His age was about sixty-seven. He leaves his wife, who was with him in California, and an only son, Perry Taylor, who resides on the old home farm near Sully. The remains will arrive in Newton either today or tomorrow, and will be taken to Sully for interment. ~ The Newton Record, Friday, January 24, 1896, Page 1, Column 3

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Cyrus Taylor Laid to Rest

The mortal remains of Cyrus Taylor arrived at his old home near Sully last week, and on Sunday were laid to rest in the Swan Cemetery, in the neighborhood and amid the scenes of his long business career. The attendance was probably on one of the largest ever assembled in Jasper County on a funeral occasion. The services were conducted by Rev. Dautter, of Marshalltown. Mr. Taylor’s health had been declining for several years, and it has been his custom for several years to spend his winters in California. He was at Santa Ana, that state, where his death occurred very suddenly on Sunday morning, January 19th, at about 9 o’clock. He had been feeling unusually well. Returning from his barn where, after eating a hearty breakfast, he had gone, as was his custom, to look after his horses, he seated himself in his chair, in the sitting room of his home, and within five minutes his spirit had taken its flight into eternity. His devoted wife reached him in time to receive him into her arms and prevent his falling to the floor.

Cyrus Taylor was a native of Illinois, born June 29, 1822, in Morgan County of that state. On the 6th of Feb. 1851, he was married to Miss Tabitha Craig and came with the young wife to this county in February 1853, settling on the farm which has been his home and his pride ever since. His whole life had been a struggle, and he had known all its phases, from the early battle with poverty, in the new country, to the years when success crowned his efforts and he had amassed property to the value of nearly $100,000. The old log cabin in which he and his young wife begun life in Jasper County still stands on the old farm. He leaves a wife and one son, Mr. Perry Taylor, who resides on the large 720-acre farm near Sully. To his wife he willed his entire estate, and his son has been appointed special administrator.

No man will be missed more in Jasper County than Cy Taylor. ~ The Newton Record, Friday, January 31, 1896, Page 1, Column 3

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Death of Cyrus Taylor

The funeral of Cyrus Taylor was held at the home of his son, Mr. J. P. Taylor, near Sully, last Sunday [Jan 26]. A very large concourse was present, from the surrounding country and from New Sharon, Oskaloosa, Marshalltown, and elsewhere. The services were conducted by Rev. Dautter, of Marshalltown. He was buried in Swan cemetery, beside his two children and nephew, who had died in early life. Mr. Taylor died at Santa Anna, California, Sunday morning, Jan. 19, 1896. He was in his usual health, but which for years has been frail. He ate his breakfast with apparent good appetite; went to the barn to look after some horses, came back into the house, and sat down. The lady with whom he was boarding heard a peculiar and startling noise from the room where he was sitting, instantly came in and saw him falling from his chair. She caught him before he reached the floor, and called for assistance. Five minutes later he was dead, without regaining consciousness. Heart trouble was the immediate cause of his death. The body was conveyed home by his wife, who was accompanied by a niece from California. They were joined at Kansas City, by Mrs. T’s brother, Mr. Craig, the party arriving at Sully last Friday afternoon.

Mr. Taylor was born in Morgan county, Illinois, June 20, 1828. He was one of a large family of children and his father died when he was but four years of age. When he was eleven years old he started out to carve his way in the world for himself, without money and with no friends to help him. He hired to a man who was a large stockraiser, and from his doubtless received the impetus to go into the stock business for himself as soon as he could. On Feb. 6, 1851, in Morgan county, he married to Miss Tabitha Craig. They came to Iowa in the spring of 1853, with an ox team, and settled on the farm in Lynn Grove, next to Sully, which has been his home ever since. The log house where they first lived is still standing on the farm. Mr. Taylor laid out the town of Sully.

The hard life of the pioneer, with the wild prairie to subdue, the many trials and difficulties accompanying poverty and a new country were but spurs to him, and with unflagging toil and careful thrift he began a fortune which has accumulated until now the estate is variously estimated between $175,000 to $100,000. By will, he leaves his entire estate, absolutely, to his wife. On Monday last, his son, Mr. J. P. Taylor, who is his only living child, was appointed special administrator.

Mr. Taylor will be missed and mourned by many friends. He was a man of intense feelings, loved his friends, and was ready to make sacrifices for them. His word was as good as his bond. As a breeder of fine stock and the owner of fine horses, he was known from Maine to California, and has been the owner of the finest bred and some of the fastest stepping animals in the country. The sympathies of our people go out to the bereaved in their affliction. ~ The Newton Journal, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1896.