Dr. James F. Taylor M.D.

FITZ, MAURICE, TAYLOR, THATCHER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/7/2016 at 23:02:48

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

Dr. James F. Taylor M.D.

Dr. James F. Taylor, a successful obstetrician, is practicing in Sioux City and brings to his work the skill acquired by more than thirty years of professional experience. He was born October 16, 1866, in Markesan, Wisconsin, and his parents were Samuel and Sarah E. (Fitz-Maurice) Taylor, the latter a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, and left his native land before he attained his majority, securing passage on a vessel bound for a Canadian port. He lived for a time in the city of Halifax and in 1863 came to the States, settling in Wisconsin, where he operated a farm for three years. In 1866 he came to Iowa, entered a claim in Woodbury County, cleared the land, which he cultivated for some time and then sold the property. He purchased another farm in the district and spent the remainder of his life on that place, on which he made many improvements. Death summoned him January 6, 1915, but Mrs. Taylor survives and is now a resident of Sioux City.

Dr. Taylor attended the common schools of Woodbury County and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one years, aiding his father in the operation of the farm. He then went to Salix, Iowa, and for two years was connected with the drug business. Becoming interested in the medical profession, he went to New York for the purpose of studying in Bellevue Hospital and Medical College and in 1892 won his M.D. Degree. He returned to Iowa and opened an office in Salix, where he followed his profession with much success for many years. Desiring a broader field of labor, he came to Sioux City on the 1st of January, 1915, and in the intervening period has built up a large practice, specializing in obstetrical cases. Dr. Taylor is an expert in his special work and acts as president of the staff of the Methodist Hospital. He is also serving on the staffs of St. Vincent’s Hospital and the Maternity Hospital of Sioux City and during the World War was chief medical examiner of the west side board. He examined all transients who came to Sioux City and in a year and a half performed this service for five thousand men.

On June 22, 1898, Dr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Frances Belle Thatcher, of Orchard, Nebraska, and they became the parents of two daughters. Gwendolyn, the elder, was born April 12, 1899, and became the wife of the Rev. Roland F. Phillbrook, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. They have one child, James Frederick, who was born October 22, 1924. Doris A., born November 6, 1902, is the wife of Neal F. Tuttle, of Omaha, Nebraska, and has become the mother of a daughter, Mariana Belle, whose birth occurred October 13, 1924.

Dr. Taylor is an adherent of the Republican Party and while a resident of Salix served for two terms as mayor, giving to the town an excellent administration, productive of much good. He is a Knight Templar Mason and is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Woodbury Country, Iowa State and Sioux Valley Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He keeps in close touch with the progress that is constantly being made by the profession and his genuine worth has established him high in public regard.