TAYLOR, Tapley Early, 1837-1904

TAYLOR, MARTIN

Posted By: Volunteer-Betty Hootman
Date: 11/2/2012 at 14:01:06

Obituary

Tapley Early Taylor was born in Winchester, Illinois, Aug. 2, 1837. He moved with his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa in 1839. July 6, 1857, he publicly confessed his Savior and was buried with him in baptism the same hour of the day. He was married to Elmira Martin, October 30, 1861. This union was blessed with five children, who are still living and were all in attendance at the funeral. The wife and mother departed this life February 21, 1901, and August 31, 1904, after all was done that loving hands could do, the husband and father was summoned by the same angel of death to the side of his dear companion in that “other home”. Funeral services were held at the Big Cedar Christian church (of which he was a faithful, charter member until he transferred his membership to Stockport when the church was organized at that place) and after the sad yet beautiful service (which was attended by more people than could get into the church) the remains were taken to Spencer cemetery and tenderly laid to rest beside the body of his wife, there to await the resurrection morn. Brother Taylor had not been well for many months and during the last weeks of his life he suffered untold pain. Although he sought the medical aid far and near without relief, it seemed that God needed him to make Heaven brighter. Sad! oh sad, but who could say “nay” to such a Father who was so kind as to let us have this noble Christian character for more than sixty seven years? As a citizen he was upright in every particular and loved by all who knew him. As a christian he was a faithful worker in his Master’s vineyard, ever ready to contribute to the church every year more than the amount of his taxes, even giving his property in Stockport to the Stockport and Big Cedar churches for a parsonage. As a father he was truly devoted to the best interest of his children both temporal and spiritual, enabling them to obtain an education in the best schools of the land, and it can be truly said of his children, “From a child thou has known the right ways of the Lord.” While the hearts of those who are near and dear to him by the ties of nature are torn and bleeding, yet, they “sorrow not as those who have no hope.” For if they follow in his footsteps they will soon join him in a home where all is joy and peace and love, and where partings are unknown. May God raise up many men like Brother Taylor is our prayer.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book A-2, page 240, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA