Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-02-22

which time he partially recovered
and then suffered relapse, Mr..
John Taylor. the wealthiest resident
Of Dickinson county and one Of the
richest men in Kansas, died at 5p. m.
Friday evening, February ls, 1900,
at bis home farm near Pearl. For
several Gays be has been sinking and
for thirty.six hours be had been un-
conscious. His illness began with q
severe cold and was followed BY other
complications. While be was at times
able to be about the room he was
never strong enough to be brought
to his family residence in this city
and his wife and daughter Pearl have
remained at the farm with him.
John Taylor was born at Gramsby,
near Hull, Lincolnshire, England,
April 10, 1925, thus being nearly rs
years Of age. His parents were ma.
tives Of that county and he inherited
the sturdy English character and
rugged physical strength that were
his portion through life. He came
to America in 1889 with two older
brothers and sister, locating in
Cincinnati. His brother Thomas es-
tablished grocery store on what 10
now Central Avenue, that city, and
with him John worked for FIVE years.
Then Hiram Clearwater, an inhu.
ential merchant who had taken an
interest in the lad, gave him 8 start
in the grocery business. During the
first year from bis small store be
cleared 1000 but the next year he
lost $1,000. The fourth year be paid
of all Indebtedness, bought out Mr..
Clearwater and became interested
with his benefactor in the pork.pack-
ing industry. This was his home for
over 80 years. His business increased
and he owned large grocery jobbing
house when he came west in 1872 and
invested in Dickinson county land,
afterward making this the home Of
himself and family. He has since
added much to his first purchase in
lands in this and Marion counties.
His home farm contains 1900 acres
and to his boys he has given nearly
5000 acres more
In September, lS47, he was marri.ed
to Miss Margaret Timberman OF dam-
ilton, Ohio. One child, Mrs. Amick.
wife of one Of Cincinnati's leading
is che surviving child Of
this union Mr. Taylor was again
marrledin 1856 to Miss Margaret Ann
Hart OF Jamesburg, N. j., and to them
have been born nine children, six of
whom survive: John Hiram OF Rhine.
hart, Mrs. Edward Kruse of New
York City, Clarence of Rhinehart,
Mrs. r. M. White and Miss Pearl of
this city, c. Willett of Pearl. Two
sisters, Mrs Borman aged 81 in Mad
ison, Ind, and Mrs. Hill aged rs, in
Brooksburg, Ind, and one brother,
Joseph Taylor Of Cincinnati, aged 73,
also survive him.
Mr.. Taylor was seli-made man.
he began as poor boy and the half
million dollars he left as his estate,
comprising valuable buildings in Gin.
cinnati, thousands Of acres Of the
best land in east Dickinson, stock in
the Abilene National bank, ETC., came
from his own exertions and labors.
He believed in plain living and worked
as early and late as any Of his en-
ployes. He believed firmly in Kansas
agriculture and stock raising and
took pride in having his farms i'm.
proved thoroughly. On them are
seen the big stone barns that are the
admiration of every farmer. Hun
dreds Of head Of fine stock were also
his pride. He took but one playday
in all his life, trip through Europe
with his daughter Pearl several years
ago. and even then so wrapped up
were his thoughts in his duties at
home that he was ready to return be-
fore the trip was half over. He dealt
fairly with mankind, he sought no
honors, he was content to build up and