Smyrna times., 1910-08-24
DEATH OF GEORGE W. TAYLOR
One of SmYrna's Foremost Citizens
Prominent for Years in the Business.
Civic and Religious Life of Town.

ended the life of man who. though
of quiet, almost retiring disposi-
tion, was yet intimately identified
in many useful ways with the agri-
cultural, civic and religious life of
the community. Nothing that can be
said here will add to or detract
from the opinion held by the com
munity in which he has spent a rare
ly exemplary life. an open book read
and known of all men. He had a
vital faith in Jesus Christ as his
Redeemer and that ruled his life.
But there are other phases of life in
which his influence was so quiet and
unobtrusive as to be almost over
looked. In some respects he was a
pioneer. He possessed a sound jude--
ment, was practical, progressive
and yet conservative and safe. Of
these phases the following are
noted.
His Progressive Business Career.
Born on a farm near Smyrna on the
Fourth of July. 1886, he was early
brought to Smyrna and taught a
trade. He soon showed that he was
Eiore than a mechanic. He was,
and in spite of the loss of his left
hand in 1876, he continued to be a
craftsman. He finished his trade
in Philadelphia and about 1858 re-
turned to Smyrna and entered into
business, at first with James Taylor.
his father, and later with his
brother, Samuel, under the firm
name of Geo. W.. & S. Taylor. The
history of this firm for the thirty
years following is so closely allied
to that it is practically a record of
the introduction, manufacture and
/ use of modern farming implements
in Middle Delaware. 1t covers the
era of the invention and application
of those labor saving devices to farm
work, without which present day
farming is impossible. In this pro-
gressive if not revolutionary period,
George W. Taylor, by his own orig
inal devices and by the introduction
and adoption of the inventions of
! others, was no mean factor.
Introduced Improved Machinery.
/ His firm in their own foundry
manufactured the cast plow called
the "Concave, which was sold
throughout the peninsula, and later
introduced and sold the first chilled
/ plows. They manufactured horse
/ powers and afterward sold steam
engines to take their place. They
/ made wheat cradles-there are some
hanging in old barns yet. They
brought the first reapers TO Smyrna,
introduced the binder and expert
mented with corn harvesters. A
number of patents were granted to
George W. Taylor, one pertained to
corn shelters which greatly lightened
hand labor. Others pertained to
riding cultivators, the principles of
which were early recognized and
promptly infringed by other manu-
facturers and are still in use on
these tools. At the time Of his
death he was engaged in heating and
plumbing and in spite of advanced
years was abreast of the time.
Was Busy and Useful Citizen.
He was never an aspirant for pub
lie office. He was once a candidate
for State Senator on the Prohibition
ticket, but this was to him a moral
issue and not a desire for office.
However, he was for eighteen years
consecutively school commissioner
and member of the executive com
mittee which built the High School
building. At various times he was
Town Commissioner and was on
the building committee which built
the Town Hall and installed the
water works. He became connected
with the Presbyterian Church in 1874
and since that time its welfare has
had first place in his heart. From
the first he was a trustee and since
1877 has been a ruling elder and
member of the session. He was one
of the building committee which
erected the present church building.
He succeeded Ezekiel v. Cooper as
superintendent of the Sunday School
upon the disability of the latter in
1877 and has practically held and ac-
ceptably filled the Office since.
His Happy Married Life.
In February. 1860, Mr.. Taylor mar
ried Elizabeth Dady, who now survives
him with the following children
Gilbert B. Taylor, now residing in
Maryland; Elmer 2. Taylor, London,
Eng. Cove S. Taylor, New York ;
George D. Taylor, Pittsburg, Pa. /:
Cyrus Taylor, Philadelphia; Evelyn,