James was born in Dade, Missouri, in 1865. He was the fourth of eight children born to Elijah and Matilda Taylor.
Just prior to James' birth his family had settled in Dallas County, Missouri, in the northern part of the county about three miles southeast of Leadmine. His father was a farmer who was admitted to the Baptist ministry. When James was a child his father would hold worship services in their home.
To make sure James and his siblings were able to go to school his father "blazed" a trail for them to follow. Using an axe he sliced a strip of bark off both sides of a tree about every 30 yards or so for the children to follow to the school and home again.
In December of 1888 James married Virginia Caroline Johnson. James was a farmer and his farm adjoined the farms of his mother and his brother and one farm away was his brother-in-law, William Johnson. In addition to his work on the farm, James was an enumerator for the census, ran a general store, was a notary public and was the justice of the peace. He also ran the post office in his store.
He and Virginia were highly respected in their community and well liked. Their store was a gathering place for those in the community. They made several different types of candy for sale in the store.
His was a tall man with a commanding voice. When he said the prayer over a family meal his voice would fill the room. James was an easy going man who was very well-mannered and enjoyed people.
In the latter years of his life, he and Virginia moved to Girard to be nearer to their daughter, Ressie.
James and Virginia were devoted to one another. They were married 63 years before his death in 1951.
Excerpt from the book A Journey Through Time with the Taylor Family of Missouri and Kansas by Emma Sue Owensby Davenport.
Just prior to James' birth his family had settled in Dallas County, Missouri, in the northern part of the county about three miles southeast of Leadmine. His father was a farmer who was admitted to the Baptist ministry. When James was a child his father would hold worship services in their home.
To make sure James and his siblings were able to go to school his father "blazed" a trail for them to follow. Using an axe he sliced a strip of bark off both sides of a tree about every 30 yards or so for the children to follow to the school and home again.
In December of 1888 James married Virginia Caroline Johnson. James was a farmer and his farm adjoined the farms of his mother and his brother and one farm away was his brother-in-law, William Johnson. In addition to his work on the farm, James was an enumerator for the census, ran a general store, was a notary public and was the justice of the peace. He also ran the post office in his store.
He and Virginia were highly respected in their community and well liked. Their store was a gathering place for those in the community. They made several different types of candy for sale in the store.
His was a tall man with a commanding voice. When he said the prayer over a family meal his voice would fill the room. James was an easy going man who was very well-mannered and enjoyed people.
In the latter years of his life, he and Virginia moved to Girard to be nearer to their daughter, Ressie.
James and Virginia were devoted to one another. They were married 63 years before his death in 1951.
Excerpt from the book A Journey Through Time with the Taylor Family of Missouri and Kansas by Emma Sue Owensby Davenport.
James was born in Dade, Missouri, in 1865. He was the fourth of eight children born to Elijah and Matilda Taylor.
Just prior to James' birth his family had settled in Dallas County, Missouri, in the northern part of the county about three miles southeast of Leadmine. His father was a farmer who was admitted to the Baptist ministry. When James was a child his father would hold worship services in their home.
To make sure James and his siblings were able to go to school his father "blazed" a trail for them to follow. Using an axe he sliced a strip of bark off both sides of a tree about every 30 yards or so for the children to follow to the school and home again.
In December of 1888 James married Virginia Caroline Johnson. James was a farmer and his farm adjoined the farms of his mother and his brother and one farm away was his brother-in-law, William Johnson. In addition to his work on the farm, James was an enumerator for the census, ran a general store, was a notary public and was the justice of the peace. He also ran the post office in his store.
He and Virginia were highly respected in their community and well liked. Their store was a gathering place for those in the community. They made several different types of candy for sale in the store.
His was a tall man with a commanding voice. When he said the prayer over a family meal his voice would fill the room. James was an easy going man who was very well-mannered and enjoyed people.
In the latter years of his life, he and Virginia moved to Girard to be nearer to their daughter, Ressie.
James and Virginia were devoted to one another. They were married 63 years before his death in 1951.
Excerpt from the book A Journey Through Time with the Taylor Family of Missouri and Kansas by Emma Sue Owensby Davenport.
Just prior to James' birth his family had settled in Dallas County, Missouri, in the northern part of the county about three miles southeast of Leadmine. His father was a farmer who was admitted to the Baptist ministry. When James was a child his father would hold worship services in their home.
To make sure James and his siblings were able to go to school his father "blazed" a trail for them to follow. Using an axe he sliced a strip of bark off both sides of a tree about every 30 yards or so for the children to follow to the school and home again.
In December of 1888 James married Virginia Caroline Johnson. James was a farmer and his farm adjoined the farms of his mother and his brother and one farm away was his brother-in-law, William Johnson. In addition to his work on the farm, James was an enumerator for the census, ran a general store, was a notary public and was the justice of the peace. He also ran the post office in his store.
He and Virginia were highly respected in their community and well liked. Their store was a gathering place for those in the community. They made several different types of candy for sale in the store.
His was a tall man with a commanding voice. When he said the prayer over a family meal his voice would fill the room. James was an easy going man who was very well-mannered and enjoyed people.
In the latter years of his life, he and Virginia moved to Girard to be nearer to their daughter, Ressie.
James and Virginia were devoted to one another. They were married 63 years before his death in 1951.
Excerpt from the book A Journey Through Time with the Taylor Family of Missouri and Kansas by Emma Sue Owensby Davenport.
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Siblings
