Milford chronicle., 1940-03-01
ALEX ]. TAYLOR
SUCCUMBS TO
HEART ATTACK
Continued from First rass)


almost a new world but he quickly
adapted himself and became liked
and admired by liquor dealers for
his fairness and Intelligent grasp OF
their problems. His work with the
commission ended soon after Mr.
duPont's successor. Willard Spring.
er, was appointed
Born In Dover
A native of Dover, Mr.. Taylor was
educated in the public schools there.
He entered what was then Delaware
College in 1899 and was one of the
Is who were graduated four years
later. He was the youngest in his
class to receive a degree.
His first job after graduation was
with the Wilmington Park Depart
mCnt at So week.
He remained with the park de-
partment for a year and then went
to work for the Street and Sewer
Department rs assistant engineer
and rOdman.
At the outbreak of the Spanish
American War. Mr.. Taylor joined
the Delaware volunteers and became
captain of Company NJ, First Della
ware Regiment
After the war. Mr. Taylor return
ed to engineering studies, matricu-
ldting at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology from where he was grad
uated in 1901. He came back to Will
mingtOn, but did not stay there long.
A Wilmington company. interested
in the possibilities of sulphur depOs-
its in Alaska, dispatched group of
engineers there 10 make survey.
The party WAS headed by Prof. w. A. |
Pratt of Delaware College and his
assistants were Mr. Taylor and Har-
ry L. Maier. now city engineer in
Wilmington.
Studied Alaska Mines
They remained in Alaska for
about five months and returned to |
Wilmington with the report that
further mining operations would be
impratticahle,
Mr. Taylor again went 10 wOr. in
the engineering division of the Street |
and Sewer Department. In 1910 the /
Surveying department, hitherto Il sep
arate municipa! department. WAS
merged with the engineering division !
and placed under the jurisdiction of
the city engineer COincident with |
this merger, he became city engineer. |
In 1915 he entered the employ of
the dupont Company. His engineer
ing ability plus his executive ability |
pushed him 20 the fore. When Mr. |
dupont and Mr.. Odell were looking !
for man to help carry out the gi- |
eantic and important school build
ing program in Delaware, they chose |
Mr.. Taylor.
MIR. Taylor became vice president !
and chief engineer of the Delaware |
School Auxiliary which was linked |
with the Service Citizens. In 1927,
when the Service Citizens went into !
history. the Delaware School Aux /
iliary continued to function under |
the name of Delaware School FOun-
dation and upon the death of DR..
Odell in 1920, Mr. Taylor became
president He continued as chief
engineer. although the major work
OF the foundation was over.
Throughout his life. after gradu-
alton, Mr. Taylor continued his in
terest in the University of Delaware.
The gymnasium was named in his
honor. He became a trustee OF the
a post he held until his
death. He was an honorary member
1f the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
He was also a member of Eureka
Lodge. A. +. and A. NJ; Grace MethO-
list Church, and the George Paul
Farrell Post. United Spanish War
Veterans.
The funeral services will be held
rom the Wilmington and Brandy
vine chapel. Friday morning, March ,,
/. at II o'clock. The Rev DIR. B. NJ.
Iohns, pastor of Grace Methodist
Ihurch. will ofIiciate. Interment will
pe in Wilmington and Brandywine
In addition TO his wife, Mr. Tay- ,.
or is survived by two children. Mrs.
eleanor Vadner of Cynwyd. Pa, and
alexander J. Taylor. Jr.. Of Whining
on.