My Genealogy Hound

J. L. TAYLOR.
There is no citizen of Union county who is held in higher regard and esteem than J. L. Taylor, who throughout his entire life has followed general farming and stock-raising. He owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, Pleasant township, and also owns another farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres located in Sand Creek township, this property being operated by a son-in-law. Mr. Taylor was born in Pleasant township, June 27, 1854, a son of Seaton and Clementine (Dodd) Taylor, both of whom were natives of Indiana but were reared in this state The father came to Iowa in 1850 and was married in Appanoose county to Miss Clementine Dodd, after which he located on a farm in Union county, which he purchased. He later disposed of that property and removed to Clarke county, where he continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits and there his remaining days were passed. He died at the home of our subject September 28, 1904, at the age of seventy-five years, and his widow and youngest son, Seaton, Jr., are now residents of Custer county, Nebraska. In the family were nine children, J. L., of this review, being the second in order of birth. Two of the number, Sarah and Eli, died in infancy, the others being as follows: Irene, the wife of Thomas Rowell; Martha, the wife of William Webb, of Custer county, Nebraska; Ida, the wife of Call Rowell, of Valley county, Nebraska; S. W., of Ringgold county, Iowa; J. E., of Sand Creek, Union county; and Seaton, also of Custer county, Nebraska.

J. L. Taylor was taken to Clarke county by his parents when quite young, so that he was practically reared there, while in the common schools, of that district he acquired his educational advantages. He remained with his father on the farm and assisted him in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting, giving him the benefit of his services until he had reached manhood. He then established a home of his own by his marriage on the 29th of January, 1880, to Miss Ella Claypool, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Morehouse) Claypool, the latter a native of Ohio, where their marriage occurred. The family removed from Missouri to this state, their home being established in Clarke county. Mrs. Taylor is the second in order of birth in a family of two sons and two daughters, the other members of the family being: Mary E., the wife of Joe Henderson, of Clarke county; James, who resides in Ringgold county, Iowa; and William, who makes his home in Jefferson, this state.

Following his marriage Mr. Taylor took up his abode upon a rented farm in Pleasant township and at the end of two years purchased a farm near Hopeville, which he sold at the end of one year and bought a second farm of eighty acres, this also being situated near that city. At the end of one year he sold this, receiving a good price for the same. He then rented a farm for one year, subsequent to which time he removed to Custer county, Nebraska, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In a short time, however, he returned once more to Union county and purchased eighty acres of land in Sand Creek township, to which he added from time to time until the place comprised one hundred and eighty acres, which he placed under a good state of cultivation. He cultivated that farm for thirteen years but in 1900 disposed of the property and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 31, Pleasant township, which he has since conducted He has made many improvements on the place since taking up his abode thereon and in addition to following general farming he also engages in raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of hogs and draft horses, all of which are of high grades. In addition to his home property, Mr. Taylor also owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in Sand Creek township, which he rents to a son-in-law, and thus it will be seen that his farming interests are extensive and valuable, so that he derives a gratifying income therefrom.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has been blessed with three sons and six daughters. The sons are: James W., a young man at home; J. Franklin; and Boyd Ray. The daughters are: Bertha, the wife of Virgil Elliott, who follows farming in Sand Creek township; Mary E., the wife of Clark Arneal, who also follows farming in that township; Jessie C., a young lady at home; Cora Alice, Verna Belle and Bernice May, also under the parental roof.

Mr. Taylor gives his political support to the republican party but has never been active as an office seeker. He has, however, served as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm and helpful friend. His social relations are with Tingley Lodge, I. O. O. F., while Mrs. Taylor is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. With the exception of a brief period spent in Nebraska, Mr. Taylor has spent his entire life in this state. He has here improved a number of farms and thus has been closely associated with the agricultural interests of this section of the state. He is alert and energetic, ever watchful of all opportunities pointing to success and thus as the years have gone by through his farming and stock-raising operations he has gained a measure of prosperity that now classes him with the representative and highly respected citizens of Union county.