William Henry Taylor

BENNETT, ROLLINSON, ROLLSTIN, TAYLOR, WHITE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/28/2006 at 21:01:19

William Henry Taylor, who owns six hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in Madison township, is a native of Madison county, born a half mile from the town of Earlham on what is now known as the Foster place. His birth occurred in December, 1876, and his parents were Henry and Hannah (Rollinson) (Rollstin) Taylor, more extended mention of whom is made in the sketch of O. L. Taylor.

William Henry Taylor received his education in the common schools of the county and as a boy devoted much of his time to aiding his father with the work of the home place. He remained with his parents until he was thirty-six years of age and then bought eighty acres of land from his father. He made a number of improvements upon his farm, but subsequently sold it and bought three hundred and eighty acres on sections 20 and 29, Madison township. It was a highly developed farm when it came into his possession, but he has made still further improvements and from its operation derives a gratifying income. He has also purchased other land and now owns an aggregate of six hundred and twenty acres of some of the finest land in the county, on sections 17, 20 and 29, Madison township. He makes a specialty of raising Aberdeen Angus cattle and feeds about two carloads of cattle a year. He also raises a high grade of Poland China hogs.

Mr. Taylor married Miss Cevilla Bennett, on the i2th of March, 1902. She is a daughter of Myron E. and Amelia (White) Bennett, both natives of New York. When children they accompanied their respective parents to Illinois and upon reaching maturity the father decided to follow agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he and his wife removed to this county and purchased land in Penn township, to the cultivation of which he devoted sixteen years. At the end of that time he was elected sheriff of the county and removed to Winterset, where he resided the remainder of his life. He passed away in August, 1911, and his widow is now making her home at El Reno, Oklahoma. Mr. Bennett was a member of Company G, Eighth Missouri Infantry. Although he enlisted in Illinois he was soon afterward transferred to the aforementioned Missouri regiment and served for one year in defense of the Union, but at the end of that time returned home, being disabled by a wound. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered he reentered the army and was with the colors for another year. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have six children, namely: Arthur, twelve years of age; Mary, ten; Mabel, nine; Glenn, five; De Vere, three; and Charles, an infant of less than a year.

Mr. Taylor is a republican and takes a citizen's interest in everything relating to the public welfare, being especially interested in the advancement of the public schools, realizing their paramount importance in a democracy. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he is a loyal supporter of the work of that organization. He has achieved a large measure of success and is held in high esteem as a farmer and stock-raiser and also as a business man, having managed his financial affairs most judiciously. He is a member of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Association and has done not a little to improve the grade of stock raised in this county. He has also had time to devote to the immaterial interests of the county and his influence has been a force for right and progress.

Information taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.