[IMAGE]
W. H. Taylor and Wife

W. H. Taylor, a Butler county pioneer and prominent farmer and stockman of Murdock township, is a native of Indiana. He was born January 7, 1853, and is a son of R. L. and Jane Taylor, the father being of Scotch descent. The Taylor family came to Kansas in 1870, locating in Murdock township, Butler county, where the father homesteaded 160 acres of Government land. That was an early date in the settlement of Butler county, and there was much Government land to be had at that time. They built a log house of the crude primitive style on their claim, common to the early days, which was later replaced by a more pretentious structure.

The early days on the plains of Butler county was a struggle for existence, and few, if any, of the early pioneers could foresee, at that time, the great future possibilities that were in store for this uninviting and practically uninhabited great stretch of prairie. It seemed as though the early settlers were beset by one calamity after another. One season would be too dry, the next too wet, then the hot winds would burn the country to a crisp, and if they had a crop, the grasshoppers would find it out, in some way, and hasten to the scene to collect their toll. But, the early pioneers were not of the kind to be discouraged, and finally fortune smiled on them and many of the early day hardships have been forgotten, and Butler county has developed into a land of prosperity and plenty, equalled by few sections of the country and excelled by none.

For a few years after coming to Butler county, R. L. Taylor engaged in freighting from Emporia, in connection with his farming. He died in 1878, and his wife died in 1912. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Harriet Casebere, Rockyford, Colo.; W. H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary E. Ohlsen, (deceased); John, Toronto, Kans.; James, Stafford, Kans.; H. T., Pueblo, Colo., and Grace, Benton, Kans.

W. H. Taylor was about seventeen years of age when the family settled in Butler county, and as a young man, saw much of the pioneer life of this section, and he recalls many incidents in the early history of the county. He tells of one time that his father bought one thousand pounds of floor which became damaged with coal oil. He says that they used it, and that it lasted much longer than flour does without the

coal oil added. And yet, with all their hardships and disadvantages they managed to create considerable amusement and have good times. The early day dances were great attractions for the young people, and Mr. Taylor relates with much amusement his experiences in learning to dance, and attending dances. On one occasion he was unable to return home on account of high water, so he just remained, and they had another dance the following night.

Mr. Taylor was married October 25, 1877, to Miss Sallie K. Liggett, a daughter of Nelson and Amanda Liggett of Illinois. The Liggett family was composed of the following children: Mrs. Mary Bruce, Ardway, Col.; Sallie K., wife of W. H. Taylor, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Emma McMorris, Brothers, Ill.; Harmon, Muncie, Ill., and Mrs. Jennie Parker, Muncie, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born the following children: Robert, Spring Valley, Wash.; E. W. Benton, Kans.; Mrs. Edith Moore, Whitewater and K. W., Benton. The Taylor family are well and favorably known through the western part of Butler county, and have many friends.

Mr. Taylor relates the story of six big Indians coming to their home, and asking for food. His mother made them some coffee and gave them bread and meat. They refused to eat off the table, but took the food out under a cottonwood tree and ate the meal there.

Previous | Main Page | Biography Index | Next

Pages 504-505,