Taylor, William James, 1859-1922

TAYLOR, HOULTON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/26/2012 at 22:12:42

SIOUX COUNTY PIONEER CALLED TO REWARD

W. J. Taylor, one of Sioux County's pioneers, died at his home south of Rock Valley Saturday morning [January 28] from leakage of the heart. He had not been well for several years.

Mr. Taylor was born at Manchester, Iowa, Feb. 10, 1859, and was almost sixty-three years old. When he was a small boy his parents moved to Illinois and after residing there a few years returned to Iowa and located in Sac County. Nearly forty years ago Mr. Taylor came to Sioux County and had lived on the farm south of Rock Valley almost continuously since that time.

He was a man of kind and unassuming disposition. He made friends and kept them. He was kind to his family and an obliging neighbor and will be greatly missed in the neighborhood where he has lived so many years.

He leaves his wife and five children, three girls and two boys. All are married except one who is at home with his mother.

Funeral services were held at Ireton Tuesday afternoon in the Presbyterian church. Quite a number from Rock Valley attended the funeral.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, February 3, 1922.

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Death of Center Township Pioneer

William James Taylor was born near Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa, Feb. 10, 1859, and died at his home near Ireton, Iowa, Saturday morning, Jan. 28, 1922. He lived in Delaware county until about 10 years of age when he moved with his parents to Illinois, where the family resided for three years, then moving to Sac county, Iowa. In the spring of 1882 he came to Sioux county, settling on the farm north of Ireton where he has since resided.

On October 4, 1886, he was united in marriage with Olive J. Houlton of this place. Six children came to bless this home, one son, Roy, preceding his father to the Home "over there." Besides the wife and five children, there remain to mourn his departure eleven grandchildren, two brothers and a host of friends.

Mr. Taylor was a lifelong Christian, and at the time of his death was a member of the Presbyterian church of Ireton. Rev. Fred Taylor of Grace church, Sioux City, a former pastor here, preached the funeral sermon and paid a splendid tribute to the life and character of the deceased. Mr. Taylor was a man known far and wide for his integrity and honor in every transaction. He was devoted to his family, a good neighbor, and a kind friend, always thoughtful of others and willing to help in every time of need.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock at the Presbyterian church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Otto L. Carr, assisted by Rev. Fred Taylor of Sioux City and Rev. J. A. Kettle of Ireton. Burial was made in the Ireton cemetery. Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mr. Arthur Chambers, of Hudson, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Fay Houlton of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Robbins and babe of Boone, Colo.; Mrs. Southwell of Sioux City; Mrs. Mary Houlton and Mrs. Bailey of Fergus Fals, Minn.

Source: Hawarden Independent, February 2, 1922.

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A similar obituary appeared in the Alton Democrat (Feb. 4, 1922), accompanied by a photograph. Unfortunately, the online digitized copy of the newspaper is nearly illegible, and the photo is dark and blurry.