The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1894-02-01
col. w. HI. taylor.

Col. w. H. HI. Taylor.
As has been noted in the HERALD from
time to time, Col. w. H. H. Taylor of st.
Paul, father Of Mrs. chas. F. Hendryx.
has been seriously i'll for several months.
The end came early on Tuesday morn
ing. The world is richer for the infu-
ence of the lives of such men, and poorer
when the summons come to them to
enter into their reward. The close rela-
tionship the writer has held with the de-
ceased for many years has given him an
opportunity to closely observe and study
this exalted characteI, which came nearer
the re alization OF what human nature in
its best estate is capable of than any
other within his KNOWLEDGE. The fol-
lowing is from the Pioneer Press Of Tues
day morning.
Col william H. II. Taylor, aged eighty
years and two months, for many years
state librarian. and one OF the best known
of st. Paul's early settlers, died this
morning at 1:o7 o'clock at the family
| residence, No, II Iglehart street. Col.
Taylor had been ill and confined to his
home, and, during the greater portion Of
the time, to his bed; since last summer.
His death was caused by catarrh of the
stomach. Several weeks ago he was
reported to be dying. but rallied, and his
physicians entertained the hope that he
might recover. Last Monday. however,
he began to fail again, and yesterday
the doctors said he could not live through
the night. Their predictions proved COR
rect, and few minutes after o'clock
the relatives who were gathered around
the stricken pioneers couch were in
formed that the end was near. His
: death was calm and peaceful, as beftted
his life .s
The death of William Henry Harrison
| Taylor eVers another link of the chain
which binds the past generation to the
| present. He was typical gentleman of
the old school. courtly in manner, con-
siderate to the last degree, and with that
refinement in every act and word which
challenged and held the respect and
esteem OF all who came within the magic
influence of his presence. He was born
in Richmond, Va, on Nov. %, 1913, his
parents, Thomas and Lucy Tavlor, be-
ing connected by blood and marriage
with many OF the leading families of the
Old Dominion of that day. His grand.
mother was a sister of Gen. William
Henry Harrison and daug liter of Ben
Jamln Harrison, one of the s1gners of the
Declaration of Independence. His boy
hood was amid influences Of that cul-
tured hospitality for which the old South
was noted, his fathers house heing
welcome resort for large circle Of
triends-men and women prominent in
the early social and political history of
Virginia. At the age of twenty-five he
removed to Cincinnati and became an
inmate of the home OF his uncle, General
Harrison (old Tippecnnoe), whose con-
tidential secretary he became, and the
following year he married Auna, the
youngest daughter of the general, by
whom he had twelve children, ten oil
whom survive him. He held several
Offices of public trust in his earlier lite,
1
court OF Hamilton county.
When Gen. Harrison was elected presi.
dent in 1910 Col. Taylor was appointed
his private secretary, and his wife was
preparing to assume the social duties of
the White House, her mother -preferring
the quiet domesticity ola delightful home
; at North Bend to the gaietv of society
at the capital. The premature death OF
the president necessitated a change OF
plan, and Col. Taylor at once assumed
the management of the North Bend eS-
tate, which he conducted with satisfac-
tory results until the breaking oat of the
rebellion. His intense patriotism i'm.
PEELED him to raise cavalry regiment
, tue Fifth Ohio, one of the largest and
hnes. ever offered to the service by that
state-and hewas commissionedit its colo
mel, position held by him until the close
of the rebellion. His record is a proud
one. For gallantry and efficiency he
was offered by Gen. Sherman, in an ur,
gent letter. the staff position of inspector
general, which he declined; preferring the
: quietude and retirement of private life
surl ounded by his family, to whom he
was for6ly devoted. During his term O
service he was made president of a mill
tary commission at Memphis, position
which he held several months. Return.
ing to Cincinnati, he was twice appoint
ed postmaster OF that city. After the
death of his wife, in July, 1865, he turned
his attention westward and two years
later he removed with his family to a
farm i'll Brooklyn, Hennepin county, up
on which he lived until he was appointed
state librarian during the first term Of
Gov. Pillsbury, an Office which he held
; continuously until the time of his health
discharging its duties with scrupulous
conscientiousness and ability until his
hnal illness, which has restrained him
from active duty for several months
The present state library has had it's en-.
tire growth during his incumbency-a
total destruction by fire when the capitol
: burned few years since making it obi
. gatory to build a new one from the
foundation up. He had an affection for
his work and it's results akin to that
one feels for his daily associates and per.
sonal friends, and in the discharge Of his
duties he was actuated rather by a sense
of love than of burdenSome routine. He
will be sorely missed by the patrons Of
i the library.
His second marriage in 1879 to Mrs
Cecilia Anderson, daughter of Judge
Benjamin Cilley of Ohio, was without
issue, his wife surviving him.
: Col. Taylor was an active and de-
voted Christian, member of the House
, OF Hope church, of which he was ar
officer. In his early life he was an
= Episcopalian, serving tor years as 9
: member OF the Vestry of Christ church
Cincinnati, but circumstances led him SC
far remote from any Episcopal church
that he identified himself with the Pres
byterian body, for activity in religious
work was of his fife. His intimate
association with Gen. Harrison threw
him into close contact with the leading
politicians and statesman of that period
among them Clay, Webster, Choate
| and scores OF Others only a little less
prominent-and he was equipped with 6
, fund of anecdote and personal reminis
cences, which were charmin ely narrated
for he was fascinating conyersationalist
at all times. -. ...
He was man of lofty ideas. and few
men have ever so closely achieved them
j life af,lr,nxy