My Genealogy Hound

Mrs. Olive B. Taylor, widow of the late James Taylor, is one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Springfield township, Oakland County, where her fine farm of 120 acres is located in section 5. There she has one of the comfortable, attractive and hospitable homes of this section, surrounded by well kept grounds and accompanied by the huge barns which tell so forcibly of the enormous yields of the encircling fertile fields.

James Taylor, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1846, and died on his farm in Springfield township, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1899. He was a son of Thomas and Grace (Clowes) Taylor, the former of whom was born in England, and the latter in Scotland. They had three children born to them, namely: James; Margaret, of Ontario, Canada; and John. The family came to America and settled in Springfield township, Oakland County, Michigan, when James was 11 years of age; three years later the parents changed their home to Coburg, Ontario, Canada, where they died. After an absence of nine years, James Taylor returned to Oakland County and settled for two years in Holly township, removing then to Springfield township. Five years later he was married to the subject of this sketch and settled on Mrs. Taylor’s present farm, where he spent the remainder of his life, successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He always took a deep interest in agricultural matters and was a constant attendant on the meetings of the Grange and the Farmers’ Club. In politics he was a Republican and fraternally he belonged to the Knights of the Maccabees.

In character, Mr. Taylor was honorable and upright, and was beloved by his family and a large circle of friends. By honest worth he won and held the respect of all who knew him, and left his family the legacy of an honorable name.

On February 11, 1875, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Olive Brownell, the subject of this sketch. She was born in the present home on the farm, February 11, 1847, and has always resided there. She is a daughter of Chauncy H. and Lydia (Bigelow) Brownell, both of whom came from the State of New York to Michigan. Chauncy H. Brownell was the eldest of the five children born to William Brownell, the others being: Mrs. Lydia Ethridge, Mrs. Harriet Fuller, Nelson and Charles. The two children of Chauncy H. and Lydia Brownell were: Olive (Mrs. Taylor) and her elder brother Spencer, who was born in 1842 and died in 1865.

Chauncy H. Brownell was born November 30, 1803, in Oneida County, New York, and remained at home until he came to Michigan in 1838, with his family. When he reached Detroit, his worldly possessions amounted to a trusty ax and a shilling in his pocket. They were conveyed to Pontiac by stage and were met by a brother-in-law. The family were later conveyed to Springfield township by ox team. Mr. Brownell made his home with his brother-in-law for a time, but in 1843 purchased what is now the homestead farm of Mrs. Taylor. Mr. Brownell cleared and cultivated 40 acres of this farm, and Mr. Taylor completed the task. Mr. Brownell died in 1879. During his residence in New York, he was a factory worker, but was always engaged in farming during the period of his residence in Michigan. In politics he was a Whig, and later a Republican. In religious faith he was a Swedenborgian.

Since the death of Mr. Taylor, his estimable wife has shown great capacity in the management of the estate. The land is very productive and she raises corn, oats, beans and wheat. Her cattle are of Durham breed, and during her husband’s life a large flock of Shropshire sheep was kept. She resides on the beautiful old place which is endeared to her by so many associations, and has as companions two adopted children, Jessie and Joseph, brother and sister. Mrs. Taylor is very highly respected and is a worthy representative of those old pioneer families who bear such honorable names in Springfield township.