Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-04-09
Associate Justice David TAYLOR is
suddenly summoned to
Obey 1t.
After Partaking of Supper He
Complains of Distress and
Soon Afterward Dies.
Sketch of the Career of the Distin-
guished Jurist-HOnOred by
Many Public Trusts.
Mrs. Taylor Far Away in the South
When the Sad Event
Occurs.
MADISON. April 3.

MADISON, April 3.
Associate Justice David Taylor is dead.
The end came with startling suddenness
Friday evening at about Z o'clock.
Judge Taylor, though suffering from a
cold for few days prior to his death, may
be said to have been in his usual good
health. He was q splendid specimen of
physical manhood, considerably over six
feet in height, finely proportioned,
straight, strong, rugged and ruddy. He
looked TIE very picture of perfect health,
and was indeed free TO an exceptional ex
tent from the ailments that affiict man.
He attended to his official duties Fri
day as usual. The supreme court is no.
in session at the present time, ami its
members, with the exception of Chief
Justice Cole, who is in Milwaukee, are
therefore engaged in consultation over
cases heretofore argued and in the writing
of opinions. This was the kind of work
to which Judge Taylor devoted the last
day of his life. He worked with custom
airy in 1ustry and application all day, and,
though remarking to friends that he had a
troublesome cold, made no further COM
plant.
He left the capitol at about haIf-past
five o'clock in the afternoon and walk
ed leisurely home. After arising from the
supper table he Strengthened up. presse d
both hands to bis chest, breathed deep
sigh denoting pain, and remarked to his
daughters-Misses Mary and Alma, who
of the family are alone at home-that he
was feeling very badly and that a doctor
lad better be called. DIR. Ward, who re-
sides only block away, was at once sum
moned.
After thus speaking to his daughters
Judge Taylor laid aside his coat and then
went into his bed chamber, on the ground
floor, where he disrobed and went to bed.
DR.. Ward, who arrived in few moments,
found him conscious but in deep distress,
and at once dispatched messenger
for DR.. Fox. Before the latter ar
rived, however, Judge Taylor had
passed away. DR.. Ward applied va
rious remedies but they were
of no avail. The patient was beyond all
hope when the physician first arrived.
Death was due to heart failure, and scarce
ly ifteen minutes elapsed between the
moment when the patient arose from the
supper table till he had breathed his
| last.
David Taylor was over Is years Of age,
but such were his superb physical charac-
teristics that he might have passed for a
man ten years younger. He was born in
Carlisle Schoharie county, n. Y, March
II, 1918, graduated from Union college. in
that state, in 1841, was admitted to the
bar two or three years later, and came
west to Sheboygan, this state, in 1916. At
different times while - practicing lawyer
at Sheboygan he filled varioas local offices,
including that of district attorney. In
1858 he was chosen a member of the
lower branch of the legislature and in
1856 and 1856 was an able and
influential member of the state senate. In
the contest for seat in the United
States senate in 1857, he was suggested as
one deserving of that honor and in the
election by the legislature he received the
vote of the venerable Wyman Spooner,
notwithstanding the choice Of the repub-
lican caucus had fallen tc James R. Doc.
little.
In 1858 he was elected Judge of the
distinguished ability in that position un.
til January !, 1869. Previous to the ex
piration of his second term he was again
elected to the state senate, and this fact
was made the basis for contesting his
seat; but his right was affirmed by the
senate. which held that his senatorial
dicial term had expired.
| Early In the '70s he removed from She
boygan to Fond du Lac and formed a law
partnership with ]. M. Gillett. In 1875
Mr.. Taylor, together with Messrs. w. F
Villas and J. P. c. Cottrill, was appointed
by the supreme court to collect and revise
| he became a member of the supreme
court, at the same time with Hon. Harlow
/ S. orion. He was afterward reelected and
his second term would have expired III
January, 1896.
Judge Taylor leaves a widow and six
children-three sons and three daughters
| The eldest son is a ranchman and resides
at Wichita, Kansas; the second son, Jerry,
is a lawyer at Sault Ste Marie, and the
third a dentist at Biloxi, Miss. The
| daughters are unmarried and re-
side at home. Mrs. Taylor and
her second daughter, Miss Alice, have been
spending the winter at Biloxi, and were
notified by telegraph last evening of the
great and sudden sorrow that had come
upon them. They are expected home as
fast as steam can bring them.
TILE nrnSnN ANn TIE Rhine