TAYLOR, CHAUNCY (REV.)
TAYLOR, STACY
Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/15/2003 at 20:20:22
Biography reproduced from page 304 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
This office was created during the year 1858, and the duties of the office were the same as at present, but the official put in much less time, and in several instances the semi-annual appropriation of the county court and, subsequently, of the board of supervisors, for the salary of county superintendent, reached the munificent sum of $20 for six months services. The first to occupy this responsible position was the Rev. Chauncey Taylor, who was elected in April, 1858, and served one year. Mr. Taylor was a member of the Congregational Church, and was one of the first to conduct Divine service in the county. He died on the 29th of February, 1876, at Algona, and the following obituary of him, written by the hand of one who knew and loved him, gives a better sketch of him than can be penned by the hand of a stranger, no matter how much he may admire the man and the record of his work. The item in question goes on to relate the fact of his death, and then says:
“Sorrow at his departure is not alone confined to those who knew him well, and knowing, learned to love and admire his many virtues, his unflagging zeal in prosecuting his life work of doing good, his broad charity towards his fellow-men, for all recognized in him the true, honest Christian minister, and as such mourn his loss. Father Taylor had filled the allotted three score years and ten, and had filled them with blessings for others, and eternal blessings for himself. He commenced his ministerial labors in Iowa in 1856, though for twenty years previous he had possessed the design of one day coming to our western prairies, and here founding a Church and lending his efforts to establishing an institution of learning.
“In 1856 he was appointed an agent of the Home Missionary Society, and leaving his family in New York, came hither to the scene of his future labors, crossing the Mississippi on foot, stopping at Des Moines a short time, and then taking up his route to this then almost solitary region. He at once went to work to advance the moral and mental well-being of his fellows, and mainly through his exertions, was erected a town hall, during the first years of his stay, and which, enlarged, is now the Congregational church. For sixteen years he was the presiding genius, the spirit of the Congregational Society, and in great measure the parent of most of the religious interests in the county. During the time of his ministry here he assisted in consigning to their last resting place eighty-eight of his parishioners, among them, the old and young, withered and fair, and poured the balm of religious consolation into the aching hearts of the mourning friends. During that time also, he solemnized sixty-three marriages and lived to christen the pledges of many of those happy unions and to give them their early instruction of reverence and love for the Great Parent of all.
“He also established the first reading club, devoted to the intellectual improvement of its members and of the citizens of the county generally. The first singing class in the county was inaugurated by him, and for many years he was the sole musical instructor. For the greater portion of his twenty years ministry among us he filled appointments at various places throughout the county, until his kindly features and gentle words were known to almost every inhabitant of the county. In 1858 he attended the State Congregational Association at Dubuque, and in reply to the astonishment of his admiring friends, that a man of his abilities should bury himself in the northwestern solitudes, insisted that Algona was in the centre of the world, that the difficulty was, the world was one sided.
“He was one of the three ministers who organized the Northwestern Congregational Society, then including but three Churches, and now representing no less than twenty-three Churches, with a membership of 932. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, he sent, with tears of sorrow but the glow of patriotism, his youngest son to do battle for his country, soon to mourn him a victim offered upon the alter of his country. A few years later and he was called upon to grieve the loss of his only remaining son, his sorrow doubled from the fact that they each died surrounded by strangers, and far from the loving embrace of parents and kindred.
“The formal organization of the Church here was made in August, 1858, and for over fifteen years he filled the position of pastor, gaining the love, not only of his parishioners but of the whole community, by his eminent piety, and broad charity and tolerance, and to-day young and old throughout the county, mourn with sincerest sorrow the departure of Father Taylor.”
What more could be added, when it is well known that the above is the verdict of every one in the county. Admiration for his many virtues, and for his truly Christian life shall never cease while any who knew him shall exist upon earth.
---------------------------------Biography reproduced from page 30 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:
It has been said that “it is not from the few conspicuous deeds of life that the blessings chiefly come which make the world better, sweeter, happier; but from the countless lowly ministries of the everydays, the little faithfulnesses that fill long years.” From pioneer times, in that year in which Algona had its birth, down to the date of his death on the 29th day of February, 1876, Father Taylor, as he was lovingly called, lived and labored among the people of Kossuth county, seeking ever the moral uplift of those with whom he was associated. Here he came to old age, and the white-haired, gray-eyed man of kindly face and still more kindly spirit was honored and loved by all who knew him. He was born in Vermont, February 17, 1805, the old homestead farm where his birth occurred lying along one side of the slope of the Green mountains. His opportunities and advantages in youth were very meager. His parents were in limited financial circumstances, never able to have a home of their own, but rich in faith and Christian belief. Their children were carefully trained according to the teachings of the church and theirs was one of the earnest Puritan households that has sent its influence as a permeating force throughout the country. Nature, too, endowed Father Taylor with strong mentality and a love of learning. His educational privileges were eagerly improved and though he had to provide the means for continuing his studies after he left the public schools, his diligence and industry at length enabled him to become a student at the State University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1831, when twenty-six years of age. He used frequently to say that the day on which he entered school at the age of four years, and the day on which he graduated from the university were two of the great days of his life. He never had any theological training or preparation for the ministry beyond that which he could make himself. His reply to the question as to what theological school he attended was: “I studied theology in the chimney corner, with the Bible for my text-book, explained by the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism, illustrated by Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and enforced by the Godly lives of my parents.”
Converted in his early years, Father Taylor from that time forward led a consistent Christian life and his determination to aid in the great work of savings others resulted in his being licensed to preach in 1833. He was called to the pastorate in one of the hill towns of Vermont and there soon won the love of his people, to whom his great heart and spirit went out in sympathy, helpfulness and encouragement. In 1838 he read a book or paper concerning Iowa and from that time forward he eagerly informed himself in every possible way concerning the state, hoping that he might ultimately see the fulfillment of his desire to become a resident of what seemed then a far distant country. Twenty years he waited for the fulfillment of this hope but it came at last, brought about in the natural order of things. As emigration tended westward it was recognized that the land of Vermont was much better for pasturage than for the raising of grain and the people of his native state scattered. He was thus left with but a very small congregation and with a family growing up around him to support. He wished to visit Iowa and found a new home amid a people whom he could benefit by his teaching, imbued with the hope that he might found a new church on the frontier and indeed become a factor in the upbuilding of a community that should be actuated by high purposes and honorable principles. Such a vision drew him to the west and in March, 1856, when the winter snows were melting and the ice in the streams was breaking up, he reached the door of the Home Missionary agent at Davenport, Iowa, having crossed the Mississippi over treacherous ice on foot, bearing with him a commission for some field in respect to which he was to seek advice. As directed, he visited places along the river as far as Bellevue, but his vision of a new place was not realized. He said, “If I am going west, I might as well make a business of it.” He had heard of a place called Fort Dodge and determined to see what was there. By rail he traveled to Iowa City, then the terminus of the road, and by stage proceeded to Fort Des Moines and on to Fort Dodge; but even this did not seem to be the place that he was hunting and he heard of a newer settlement further on called Algona. Mostly on foot he traveled toward the town and on the 19th of April, 1856, reached his destination, as he said, “with an oak stick for a cane, my pants tucked in my bootlegs, my satchel swung over my shoulder and my overcoat over my arm and, what especially distinguished me, was a stovepipe hat on my head.” A few men were laying out a town. The next day being Sunday, by invitation he preached, his congregation numbering about twenty-five. He told the people who he was and why he came and they invited him to remain. That was one of the happy days of his life. He accepted the invitation and decided to send for his family, and from that time forward Algona numbered him among her citizens until his life’s labors were ended in death. Here he founded the Congregational church and continued as its minister until three years prior to his demise, when a younger man took his place, but even after that he continued preaching in the surrounding country until three weeks before he was called to his eternal home. The early settlers relying upon Father Taylor to advance the cause of education, also elected him three times county superintendent of schools.
The only surviving member of his family is Mrs. Harriette E. Stacy, of Algona. He lost his wife soon after he came to Algona and was obliged to conduct her funeral services. His son, George, died out in the mountains many years ago, and his son, James, gave up his life for his country in 1862. The local James C. Taylor G. A. R. Post was named in honor of this young soldier.
Father Taylor made himself a part of the life of the community. He shared in the joys and sorrows of the people, aided them in their labors, encouraged them in hours of trial and temptation, inspired them with courage and preached to them the hope of a blessed immortality. The consensus of public opinion gives to Father Taylor the credit of doing more for the moral uplift of the community in Kossuth county than any other man. He died February 29, 1876. The memory of such a man can never die while living monuments remain upon which were imprinted the touch of his noble soul. Many years have come and gone since he passed from this life, but his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him and his influence remains as a blessed benediction to those with whom he came in contact.
Kossuth Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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