Charles S. Taylor

CHARLES S. TAYLOR. - The state of Kansas boasts, and with reason, of its wonderful agricultural resources. That it is such a successful farming country is due to the presence of such men as Charles S. Taylor, a farmer by inheritance, by nature and from choice.

He was born in Armourdale, Kansas, in 1871, the son of Benjamin F. Taylor and his wife Maggie, whose maiden name was Roundtree. Benjamin F. Taylor was born in Kentucky in 1841 and worked on his father's farm until the Civil war broke out. Then he, with many other Southerners, sided with the North and the cause of freedom. He enlisted in the Union army, and fought throughout the four years and more that the war continued. He then stayed in the North and came to Wyandotte county, Kansas, and started to farm here. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Taylor had three children, but only one lived to grow up. The eldest, James, died when he was five years old; the second born died in infancy; Charles S. grew to be the pride and comfort of his parents. His mother died in March, 1911, since which time his father has been living with him on his farm.

Charles S. Taylor spent his early years in Armourdale, Kansas. His father gave him a good education; he attended the River View grammar school and then went to the Kansas City high school and later to a business college in Kansas City. After he had finished his business course, he started to work for the Union Pacific Railroad and then for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a machinist in the shops. After this experience of city life he decided that the life of a farmer was the one he wanted and he came to the farm on which he still (1911) lives, near Baxter Springs. He has eighty-five acres of land and raises cabbages and potatoes. He has built a very nice house on his farm and there he lives the simple life in great contentment and happiness.

In 1896 he was married to Miss Marie Turner, a native of Kirksville, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have one child, Ruth S., who is the pride and joy of her father, mother, and grandfather.

Like his father, Charles S. Taylor is a Republican in his political preference and a Methodist in his religious beliefs. As in farming, so in politics and in religion, whole-hearted, energetic, progressive and practical. He is a Mason and very popular in that order.