William Christoper Taylor

Source: "History of Kentucky - The Bluegrass State", Vol. III, 1922, pp. 47-48

HON. WILLIAM C. TAYLOR

No one can review the life of Hon. William C. Taylor, ex-judge, ex-legislator, prominent business man, leading agriculturist and constructive citizen of the Winchester community of Clark County without being impressed with the dignity of his actions and the magnitude of his accomplishments. His was a career of progress. From small beginnings he pushed steadily forward, caring with him those with whom he was associated, and as a result he rose far above many who started out in life with more material advantages. During his career his efforts were felt in the lumber industry, in oil production and in merchandising, while likewise his activities had a beneficial identification with the progress of civic movements and the cause of education.
Judge Taylor was born on a farm in Owsley County, Kentucky, December 5, 1859, a son of Calvin and Julia Ann (Shackleford) Taylor. His grandfather was Rev. Pendleton Taylor, who for forty years was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith in Kentucky, his maternal grandfather being Abner Shackleford, who was born near the mouth of Red River in Clark County, and passed his life in Breathitt County, where he served as a Methodist minister among the mountaineers and attained old age. Calvin Taylor was born and reared in Tennessee, but in 1858 accompanied his parents to Kentucky. He was married here, and at the age of thirty-one years enlisted for service in the union army during the war between the states. Not long after volunteering he was stricken with typhoid fever and died when thirty-two years of age. He left his young widow with two children: William C. and Mary Jane, the latter of whom is now Mrs. John W. Taulbee, of near Winchester.
To the loving devotion and careful training of his mother Judge Taylor gives full credit for what he has been able to accomplish in life. After the death of her husband she found that it was necessary to sell the home farm in order to pay off an indebtedness, and in order to support her children she did spinning and weaving and accepted such other honorable employment as chance threw in her way. She had only a common school education herself, but was determined that her children should receive a training that would fit them for their battles with the world. Her devotion to their welfare and her beautiful character enshrined her memory forever in the hearts of her children, who have since reached stations in life which are a reflection of the value and true worth of her teaching. In later years she married Captain Cope, a former Confederate army officer. Her death occurred when she was fifty nine years of age.
Like his sister, William C. Taylor entered upon his career as a teacher in the public schools, and during his teaching period saved every dollar which he earned. After five years as an educator he decided that commercial life offered a broader field for the expression of his abilities, and he accordingly went to Cornwell, Menifee County, where he obtained a position in a general store owned by Alfred Combs and Company, now of Lexington, at a salary of ten dollars per month. At the end of two years his salary had not been advanced, but he had continued his economical habits, and by this time had $400. This modest capital he invested in a small country store, which he conducted for ten years. Shortly thereafter he established a household of his own by his marriage to Frances Mariba Osborn, and named the new post office, of which he was postmaster, Mariba, in honor of his bride. When he was elected the first county superintendent of schools of Menifee County he removed to the county seat, Frenchburg, where he invested his capital, now grown to $8000, in a general store. He served two terms as county superintendent of schools, and in that capacity demanded a higher standard among the educators, making it necessary that they be fully qualified for the important duties of teaching. He also agitated in behalf of the securing of better schoolhouses, and as a result of his efforts teaching standards were appreciably elevated, while all matters pertaining to the school system were advanced. Judge Taylor's interest never waning until nearly all teachers had first-class certificates and the schools of Menifee County compared favorably with those of others in the state.
Not long after arriving at Frenchburg, Mr. Taylor began the manufacture of staves, and subsequently started the manufacture of lumber, under the firm style of Taylor & Wells. They became large manufacturers of the former product for the foreign trade, especially in furnishing staves for the wine industry of France, a trade that was particularly profitable. In producing their lumber and sawing their staves the firm operated two or three mills, with from fifty to sixty employees, and the business continued as a partnership until Mr. Wells' death. In 1905 Mr. Taylor sold his store with his fifth $10,000 stock, having in 1904 become a partner with J. Will Clay and M. C. Clay of Mount Sterling, in the Miller's Creek Lumber Company. This firm made a practice of buying land in fee, cutting off the lumber and then selling the surface but retaining the minerals. Some three years ago they began to develop the oil on this land, of which they had 3,000 acres under control, and at present have three wells which are in operation under leases, it being the pioneer oil operation in this part of Kentucky and one of the richest fields to be found anywhere. Until recently Mr. Taylor made a specialty of this work. Judge Taylor moved to his present home, two and one-half miles west of Winchester, in 1905, and has 400 acres of as fine land as can be found in the state, locate on college Pike. He has a beautiful modern home and other substantial buildings, as well as up-to-date equipment and improvements, and operates this land more familiarly known as the Martin Farm, and the rest of his 1,700 acres in holdings in company with his sons.
In 1894 Judge Taylor was sent to the State Legislature as a representative for Menifee and Montgomery counties, and made an excellent record, being active in all discussions in that body. Later he was elected county judge of Menifee county for one term, during which he not only put the county on a paying basis but also cleared off a large indebtedness. In 1915 he was a candidate for county judge of Clark County, but was defeated for the nomination by his party. Judge Taylor is vice president of the Flesher Oil and Petroleum Company of Lexington, and one of the main stockholders in this concern, which is operating in Oklahoma. He is also a director in the Kentucky Rock and Asphalt Company of Louisville and has other important interests. Throughout his life he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his family has furnished a number of ministers, one of whom, the Rev. Clinton Taylor, preached for seventy consecutive years, from his eighteenth year until he was eighty-eight.
Judge Taylor was married October 5, 1882 to Frances Mariba Osborn, who was of great assistance to her husband in the early years of the little country store, in the management of which she took part, and in subsequent years she has shown herself devoted to his interests, oftentimes aiding him with wise counsel and advice. Three sons have been born to Judge and Mrs. Taylor: Bruce C., who married Anna Greenwade; Claude Thurman, who married Jessie Hampton; and William C., Jr., residing with his parents. Each of the sons has a farm of his own, and each keeps in close touch with the father, through whose experienced advice and keen foresight they have benefited greatly in working their way to success.
Submitted By: William W. Taylor, great grandson

Obituary No. 1 from The Lexington Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, May 5, 1930, contributed by Maurice Taylor, Winchester, Kentucky:

WINCHESTER, Ky., May 5 --- Judge W. C. Taylor, 70 years old, died at the Guerrant Clinic this morning at 5:40 o'clock after an illness of two years duration.
Judge Taylor was a native of Owsley county. After leaving his home he came to Menifee county where he served as county judge for eight years. He was a member of the First Methodist church and the I. O. O. F. Lodge.
Judge Taylor has been a prominent and wealthy resident of Clark county for the past 26 years. In 1894 Judge Taylor served one term in the Kentucky legislature as a representative from Menifee and Montgomery counties. He was the son of the late Calvin and Julia Ann Shackelford Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mariba Osborne Taylor; three sons, Claude, Bruce and Courtney Taylor, all of this county; one sister, Mrs. M. J. Taulbee; one niece, Mrs A. H. Cundiff, of this city, two nephews, Taylor Taulbee of this county, and S. H. Taulbee of Chicago.
Funeral services will be held at the First Methodist church on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with Dr. O. B. Crockett officiating and assisted by the Rev. G. W. Banks of Carrollton. Pallbearers will be active; W. C. Clay, Harvey T. Lisle, Marcus C. Redwine, J. C. Codell, Asa Dooley, Fred Blackburn; honorary, Alfred Combs, Thomas A. Combs, John M. Hodgkin, W. P. Hampton, George E. Tomlinson, M. T. McEldowney, R. P. Taylor, J. Hood Smith, J. Newt Renaker, George B. Williams, Zol Amster, Dr. E. P. Guerrant, Henry S. Caywood, and Dr. W. L. Walters.
Submitted by: William W. Taylor, great grandson

Obituary No. 2 from The Winchester Sun, Winchester, Kentucky, May 7, 1930, contributed by Maurice Taylor, Winchester, Kentucky:

Came Monday Morning to Judge William C. Taylor===

Was One of Clark Co.'s Most Prominent and Best Beloved Citizens
One of Clark county's most highly esteemed citizens passed away Monday morning when judge William C. Taylor breathed his last at Guerrant Clinic after an illness that had extended over a period of two years.
The writer has known Judge Taylor since his young manhood and is aware of his early struggles to attain a position of prominence in life. He became a well informed man almost by his own unaided effort. He became a conspicuous man in the world of finance by his own God given talent. He was a born financier. In straightened circumstances or in affluence Judge Taylor was the same genial gentleman. He had known the hardships of life and his sympathy and help went out to those who were experiencing them after he became a man of wealth. While he was masculine in strength of character and unwavering determination of purpose, yet he possessed the kind and gentle feelings and bearing of a woman.
His family has lost a noble and beloved husband, father and brother; our county an estimable and public-spirited citizen, whose memory will long be cherished.
Judge Taylor was a native of Owsley county, but moved when a young man to Menifee county where he served faithfully and well as Co. Judge for two terms.
He also served for one term as Representative in the Kentucky General Assembly from Montgomery and Menifee and made a fine record as a legislator.
Judge Taylor was a consistent member of the Methodist church and I. O. O. F. He has been an honored citizen of Clark county for the past 26 years.
The deceased is survived by his wife, who before her marriage, was Miss Mariba Osborne; three sons, Claude, Bruce and Courtney Taylor, all of the county; one sister, Mrs. M. J. Taulbee; one niece, Mrs. A. H. Cundiff, of this city; two nephews, Taylor Taulbee, this county, and S. H. Taulbee of Chicago.
Funeral services were held at the First Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock, Dr. O. B. Crocket, the pastor officiating, assisted by Rev. G. W. Banks of Carrollton.
Pallbearers were: Active--W. C. Clay, Harvey T. Lisle, Marcus C. Redwine, J. C. Codell, Asa Dooley, Fred Blackburn. Honorary--Alfred Combs, Thomas A. Combs, John M. Hodgkin, W. P. Hampton, George E. Tomlinson, M. T. McEldowney, R. P. Taylor, J. Hood Smith, J. Newt Renaker, George B. Williams, Zol Amster, Dr. E. P. Guerrant, Henry S. Caywood, and Dr. W. L. Walters.
Submitted By: William W. Taylor, great grandson