The Omaha guide., 1933-03-04

Kathryn and Warren, two brothers,
Otis of Lincoln and Joseph of Omaha,
two sisters, Mrs. Kate Wilson of Lin
coin and Rosa Jones of Omaha and
Numerous nieces and nephews.
Rev. Mr.. Taylor came to Nebraska
as a youth with his parents from
Youngs County, Missouri and settled
on a farm out from Sweard, Nebras-
ka. He received his public school
education in Seward and graduated
from High School with the honor Of
being valedictorian Of his class.
While attending the Seward high
school, he was leader of the high
school band in which he played the
cornet previous to his leadership.
Leaving Seward, he entered Bel
levue College and was the only color
ed graduate from that college in '94.
There he wrote the music for his class
song.
After graduating from Bellevue, he
entered the Omaha Theological Sem
mary and studied there until he went
to Lane Seminary in Cincinnati where
he graduated in 1898. While a stu
dent at Lane, he founded a Presby-
terrain Mission which afterwards be-
came the leading Presbyterian church
in Ohio.
In 1898 he returned to Omaha,
Neb., and married Miss Henerietta
Scroggins, daughter of the late Mr..
and Mrs. Henry Scroggins who were
pioneers Of Omaha. The late Father
John Albert Williams united them in
holy ~matrinmony. They left immed-
lately for Langston, Okla, which be-
came his first first charge. He also
taught music and Latin at Langston
University. Leaving there, he desir-
ed to 60 as a missionary south where
he felt like he could serve his people
more.
He served as pastor and teacher
in Virginia and Tennessee and receiv-
ed many honors while there. He was
able to have the school year extend
ed in may counties in Tennessee from
three months to from six to eight
months. Particularly was he sue
cessful in New Market, County when
he had built a model school.
Leaving there on account Of his
wife's health in 1910. he went to
Wyoming where he settled on a
homestead and took charge Of the
school at Empire, Wyoming and Grace
Presbyterian Church. While stationed
in Wyoming he represented the Grace
Church at the general assemble il
Dallas, Texas. He was the only Ne
gro there representing a Presbytery
wholly white with the exception of
himself.
Leaving Wyoming in 1910 he re-
turned to Omaha fulfilling his pro
mise to his wife's mother of bringing
her back home to end her days which
she did on Christmas day, December
25, 1928.
He organized the st. Paul Presby-
terrain Church which later was. burned
down and moving to a new location
on a hillside, it was changed to Hill
side.
While in Omaha. he contributed
generally of his time to the musical
life/of the city and under the auspic-
es of the Colored Commercial Club,
directed the chorus of a hundred voic-
es at a concert given at the city aud
itorium in combination with Dan Des-
dunes and his then famous band.
While here he directed many of the
choirs of churches of Their denomin-
ations. The choir of Pilgrim Baptist
Church being very dear to his heart.
Leaving Omaha feeling his work
here was finished and desiring to end
his days in the ministry to his peo-
pie, he went back south.
While in the south, he was called
to Ridgeway and had that Church and
the one at Chestnut Knobs making