Lena Edith Thompson was one of six children born to Sarah Jane (Royer) Thompson (1855-1934) and Harmon Hartman Thompson (1844-1885) on September 2nd, 1872 while they were living in Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas. Lena's father was a Civil War Veteran who had apparently sustained severe enough injuries during his two tours of duty that he was finally granted a veteran's pension while the family was living on their farm in Kansas. The family chose to relocate to Oregon in about 1879. Lena's younger sister, Susan, was born in Wyoming while the family was on the Oregon Trail, heading towards Oregon. Her youngest brother and sister, a set of twins, Lewis and Lula, were born in Oregon is Dec 1883 and her youngest sister, Jessie Mildred, was born in Oregon in 1884, about one year prior to her father's death. When Lena was about 16 years of age, in @1888, she married Thomas Yeomans Ward. His parents were William and Jane (Gibson) Ward. Thomas's sister, Jane Elizabeth (b. Nov 13, 1841), married John Fletcher Taylor (b.1837), brother to Joseph Taylor. Both of the Taylor brothers had come to America in 1870 to "build churches across America" with other Anglican Presbyterians from England's Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Joseph was already married, to Eliza Ward. They had arrived in New York, in 1870. Eliza had been expecting a child who was born March 1st, 1870, in England and named Fannie [While in Kansas in 1871, she died]. Their children joined them in 1874, after they had relocated to Oregon. The Taylors, along with the other immigrants in their group, had been building houses in Kansas, their earnings going towards the cost of wood to build churches. However, the farmers were unable to pay them for their services due to a grasshopper infestation which destroyed their crops completely. The Taylors chose to continue to travel West, to Oregon, initially settling in the Wren - Philomath area of Benton County. Joseph was also a preacher, a circuit rider who would travel to the Oregon Coast, taking different trails to share the word of God with those who would listen. The family moved into the town of Albany, Linn County, where they lived, Joseph and John earning the family money thru carpentry. They helped build White Spires Church in Albany in 1891 that stands today on 5th Ave. SW & Washington. During this time, Lena had become pregnant and her husband deserted her before the baby was born, according to family history. She gave birth on May 18, 1889 to a son she named Glenn Hartman Ward. She knew the Taylor family due to the aforementioned marriage of John Fletcher Taylor to her ex-husband's sister, Jane Elizabeth Ward. It must have been quite an uncomfortable situation for all involved as Lena had a child to support. Joseph's son, John William Taylor (b.1868) asked for her hand and she accepted. He adopted her son, Glenn, and they were blessed with five children of their own. They were:
Vera Valentine, b.Feb 11, 1894
Harry Hoyt, b.July 10, 1895
Mildred Jeanne b.Apr 22, 1898
Raymond William b.Apr 11, 1900
and his twin brother,
Ralph Louis b.Apr 11, 1900.
When the 1900 Census was taken (on June 1, 1900), the family was living in Portland, purchasing their home. John was a carpenter. Sadly, his mother, Eliza Maud, died in 1905. She was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Linn County, Oregon. Following the death of his father in 1907, the family returned to Albany, living in the family's home at 320 East First and renting out their home in Portland. In 1920, the family returned to Portland as John had been promoted, working at the railway yards in the southern area of Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. They again lived in their home in the area of 39th Avenue and SE Kelly in Portland. One afternoon, John went to lie on the lawn in front of their home. When his son, Harry, went out to check on him, he was shocked to see that his father was apparently dead. It was August 6th, 1929; he was 61 years of age and had had a stroke. Lena buried her beloved husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Her mother, who was still living and receiving a widow's pension, moved in with her daughter in Portland. Her mother passed on in 1934 and was also buried at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland. Lena took in boarders for income for many years, until her son, Harry, his wife, Pearl, and daughter, Patsy, moved back to the West Coast, towards the end of World War II. He had been working in South Carolina as an investigator for the railway, at first, then for the Interstate Commerce Commission, to rule out sabotage when there were railway accidents. He had been promoted to Supervisor of the Western Region, worked in San Francisco, California and lived in Oakland, California. He moved Lena to live with him and his wife, Pearl. She stayed with him until the end of her days. Lena passed away August 6th, 1950 [exactly 31 years after her husband], and her remains were transported back to Portland, Oregon where she was laid beside her dear husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery. They were together again, in Heaven.
Her son, Harry Hoyt Taylor, also died from a stroke, and left this world on March 25th, 1975, five days before Easter, 1975. He was buried next to his parents. His wife, the love of his life, Pearl Laura, could not conceive of life without her beloved husband and mourned his loss until she, also, passed away, on September 3rd, 1975 within 6 months of her husband's demise. She was buried next to her beloved husband and his parents. I know they are all together in Paradise.
Lena Taylor is my great grandmother, the mother of my maternal grandfather, Harry Hoyt Taylor.
Vera Valentine, b.Feb 11, 1894
Harry Hoyt, b.July 10, 1895
Mildred Jeanne b.Apr 22, 1898
Raymond William b.Apr 11, 1900
and his twin brother,
Ralph Louis b.Apr 11, 1900.
When the 1900 Census was taken (on June 1, 1900), the family was living in Portland, purchasing their home. John was a carpenter. Sadly, his mother, Eliza Maud, died in 1905. She was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Linn County, Oregon. Following the death of his father in 1907, the family returned to Albany, living in the family's home at 320 East First and renting out their home in Portland. In 1920, the family returned to Portland as John had been promoted, working at the railway yards in the southern area of Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. They again lived in their home in the area of 39th Avenue and SE Kelly in Portland. One afternoon, John went to lie on the lawn in front of their home. When his son, Harry, went out to check on him, he was shocked to see that his father was apparently dead. It was August 6th, 1929; he was 61 years of age and had had a stroke. Lena buried her beloved husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Her mother, who was still living and receiving a widow's pension, moved in with her daughter in Portland. Her mother passed on in 1934 and was also buried at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland. Lena took in boarders for income for many years, until her son, Harry, his wife, Pearl, and daughter, Patsy, moved back to the West Coast, towards the end of World War II. He had been working in South Carolina as an investigator for the railway, at first, then for the Interstate Commerce Commission, to rule out sabotage when there were railway accidents. He had been promoted to Supervisor of the Western Region, worked in San Francisco, California and lived in Oakland, California. He moved Lena to live with him and his wife, Pearl. She stayed with him until the end of her days. Lena passed away August 6th, 1950 [exactly 31 years after her husband], and her remains were transported back to Portland, Oregon where she was laid beside her dear husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery. They were together again, in Heaven.
Her son, Harry Hoyt Taylor, also died from a stroke, and left this world on March 25th, 1975, five days before Easter, 1975. He was buried next to his parents. His wife, the love of his life, Pearl Laura, could not conceive of life without her beloved husband and mourned his loss until she, also, passed away, on September 3rd, 1975 within 6 months of her husband's demise. She was buried next to her beloved husband and his parents. I know they are all together in Paradise.
Lena Taylor is my great grandmother, the mother of my maternal grandfather, Harry Hoyt Taylor.
Lena Edith Thompson was one of six children born to Sarah Jane (Royer) Thompson (1855-1934) and Harmon Hartman Thompson (1844-1885) on September 2nd, 1872 while they were living in Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas. Lena's father was a Civil War Veteran who had apparently sustained severe enough injuries during his two tours of duty that he was finally granted a veteran's pension while the family was living on their farm in Kansas. The family chose to relocate to Oregon in about 1879. Lena's younger sister, Susan, was born in Wyoming while the family was on the Oregon Trail, heading towards Oregon. Her youngest brother and sister, a set of twins, Lewis and Lula, were born in Oregon is Dec 1883 and her youngest sister, Jessie Mildred, was born in Oregon in 1884, about one year prior to her father's death. When Lena was about 16 years of age, in @1888, she married Thomas Yeomans Ward. His parents were William and Jane (Gibson) Ward. Thomas's sister, Jane Elizabeth (b. Nov 13, 1841), married John Fletcher Taylor (b.1837), brother to Joseph Taylor. Both of the Taylor brothers had come to America in 1870 to "build churches across America" with other Anglican Presbyterians from England's Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Joseph was already married, to Eliza Ward. They had arrived in New York, in 1870. Eliza had been expecting a child who was born March 1st, 1870, in England and named Fannie [While in Kansas in 1871, she died]. Their children joined them in 1874, after they had relocated to Oregon. The Taylors, along with the other immigrants in their group, had been building houses in Kansas, their earnings going towards the cost of wood to build churches. However, the farmers were unable to pay them for their services due to a grasshopper infestation which destroyed their crops completely. The Taylors chose to continue to travel West, to Oregon, initially settling in the Wren - Philomath area of Benton County. Joseph was also a preacher, a circuit rider who would travel to the Oregon Coast, taking different trails to share the word of God with those who would listen. The family moved into the town of Albany, Linn County, where they lived, Joseph and John earning the family money thru carpentry. They helped build White Spires Church in Albany in 1891 that stands today on 5th Ave. SW & Washington. During this time, Lena had become pregnant and her husband deserted her before the baby was born, according to family history. She gave birth on May 18, 1889 to a son she named Glenn Hartman Ward. She knew the Taylor family due to the aforementioned marriage of John Fletcher Taylor to her ex-husband's sister, Jane Elizabeth Ward. It must have been quite an uncomfortable situation for all involved as Lena had a child to support. Joseph's son, John William Taylor (b.1868) asked for her hand and she accepted. He adopted her son, Glenn, and they were blessed with five children of their own. They were:
Vera Valentine, b.Feb 11, 1894
Harry Hoyt, b.July 10, 1895
Mildred Jeanne b.Apr 22, 1898
Raymond William b.Apr 11, 1900
and his twin brother,
Ralph Louis b.Apr 11, 1900.
When the 1900 Census was taken (on June 1, 1900), the family was living in Portland, purchasing their home. John was a carpenter. Sadly, his mother, Eliza Maud, died in 1905. She was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Linn County, Oregon. Following the death of his father in 1907, the family returned to Albany, living in the family's home at 320 East First and renting out their home in Portland. In 1920, the family returned to Portland as John had been promoted, working at the railway yards in the southern area of Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. They again lived in their home in the area of 39th Avenue and SE Kelly in Portland. One afternoon, John went to lie on the lawn in front of their home. When his son, Harry, went out to check on him, he was shocked to see that his father was apparently dead. It was August 6th, 1929; he was 61 years of age and had had a stroke. Lena buried her beloved husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Her mother, who was still living and receiving a widow's pension, moved in with her daughter in Portland. Her mother passed on in 1934 and was also buried at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland. Lena took in boarders for income for many years, until her son, Harry, his wife, Pearl, and daughter, Patsy, moved back to the West Coast, towards the end of World War II. He had been working in South Carolina as an investigator for the railway, at first, then for the Interstate Commerce Commission, to rule out sabotage when there were railway accidents. He had been promoted to Supervisor of the Western Region, worked in San Francisco, California and lived in Oakland, California. He moved Lena to live with him and his wife, Pearl. She stayed with him until the end of her days. Lena passed away August 6th, 1950 [exactly 31 years after her husband], and her remains were transported back to Portland, Oregon where she was laid beside her dear husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery. They were together again, in Heaven.
Her son, Harry Hoyt Taylor, also died from a stroke, and left this world on March 25th, 1975, five days before Easter, 1975. He was buried next to his parents. His wife, the love of his life, Pearl Laura, could not conceive of life without her beloved husband and mourned his loss until she, also, passed away, on September 3rd, 1975 within 6 months of her husband's demise. She was buried next to her beloved husband and his parents. I know they are all together in Paradise.
Lena Taylor is my great grandmother, the mother of my maternal grandfather, Harry Hoyt Taylor.
Vera Valentine, b.Feb 11, 1894
Harry Hoyt, b.July 10, 1895
Mildred Jeanne b.Apr 22, 1898
Raymond William b.Apr 11, 1900
and his twin brother,
Ralph Louis b.Apr 11, 1900.
When the 1900 Census was taken (on June 1, 1900), the family was living in Portland, purchasing their home. John was a carpenter. Sadly, his mother, Eliza Maud, died in 1905. She was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Linn County, Oregon. Following the death of his father in 1907, the family returned to Albany, living in the family's home at 320 East First and renting out their home in Portland. In 1920, the family returned to Portland as John had been promoted, working at the railway yards in the southern area of Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. They again lived in their home in the area of 39th Avenue and SE Kelly in Portland. One afternoon, John went to lie on the lawn in front of their home. When his son, Harry, went out to check on him, he was shocked to see that his father was apparently dead. It was August 6th, 1929; he was 61 years of age and had had a stroke. Lena buried her beloved husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Her mother, who was still living and receiving a widow's pension, moved in with her daughter in Portland. Her mother passed on in 1934 and was also buried at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery in Portland. Lena took in boarders for income for many years, until her son, Harry, his wife, Pearl, and daughter, Patsy, moved back to the West Coast, towards the end of World War II. He had been working in South Carolina as an investigator for the railway, at first, then for the Interstate Commerce Commission, to rule out sabotage when there were railway accidents. He had been promoted to Supervisor of the Western Region, worked in San Francisco, California and lived in Oakland, California. He moved Lena to live with him and his wife, Pearl. She stayed with him until the end of her days. Lena passed away August 6th, 1950 [exactly 31 years after her husband], and her remains were transported back to Portland, Oregon where she was laid beside her dear husband at Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery. They were together again, in Heaven.
Her son, Harry Hoyt Taylor, also died from a stroke, and left this world on March 25th, 1975, five days before Easter, 1975. He was buried next to his parents. His wife, the love of his life, Pearl Laura, could not conceive of life without her beloved husband and mourned his loss until she, also, passed away, on September 3rd, 1975 within 6 months of her husband's demise. She was buried next to her beloved husband and his parents. I know they are all together in Paradise.
Lena Taylor is my great grandmother, the mother of my maternal grandfather, Harry Hoyt Taylor.
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My Maternal Great Grandmother, she is my mother's grandmother.
