Lynn Taylor

A Taylor Family Biography

This is a biography about Ethel, her husband, and their descendants written by her daughter in law, Evelyn Taylor. It's much larger than shown here. It has been edited to protect the privacy of those persons still living.

This story began in about 1912 when Ethel Bell Bowers, at the age of fifteen, went to visit her girl friend Letha Royse and spend the night with her.

That night several young people went on a hay ride and Ethel Bell was introduced to a young man by the name of Lin Taylor. Lin and his brother Willie were along on the hay ride and they all stopped off at a friend's house and began to play and sing. In those days the young people would gather at one of their friend's home and have a SINGING. They would play the piano, fiddles and guitars and all sing.

Lin and Bell (as Lin called her) - continued to see each other at the various socials and Leta started dating an old boy friend of Ethel's by the name of George Gladden. Leta and George were married.

Lin and Ethel's courtship was in the age of the horse and wagon.

Parentage

Ethel was born November 18, 1899 at Merit, Texas. Her mother's people came from Alabama. Her parents were George T. and Menerva (James) Bowers.

Their children were:

• Minnie (lived a short while)
• Baby Boy (lived only a short while)
• George Paul
• Mel
• Lil
• Jack
• Hubert
• Ethel Bell
• Will
• Tom
• Hattie
• Louisa (lived only seven months)
• Myrtle (she was three months old when their dad passed away)

Lin was born July 29, 1889. He was one of five children born to Jack and Fidelia (Dysert) Taylor.

Their children were:

• Calla D.
• Annie
• Ida
• Lynn
• Willie

Letter

Most every girl keeps her love letters, Ethel has kept hers, and this is one she received from Lin, postmarked Farmersville, Texas Dec. 15, 1914. He had beautiful handwriting and Mama (Ethel) told me he had taken penmanship.

Transcription of Letter

Tuesday [Night]

I will [answer] that long sweet letter you wrote me on that post card. I don't think I can write as much as you for you had 8 words but they sure was sweet.

How are you this fine day? Hope you are well, you looked good to Lin today. I (hauled) a bail of cotton off this (morning) and I seen you picking cotton for Mr. [Hineby?] but you never would look at me so I could wave my old hat at you. You sure did look sweet to me.

Ethel, I seen your S.H. this [morning]. You have so many, I know you can't guess who it was dear old Hatley Steaphens, the one at Masquiet [Sunday Night].

I have something funny to tell you about him when I see you and that will be at the box supper at Allo [Friday Night], won't it? Ethel, believe me, I am sleepy. I set up with Habert Clark last night and you know what time I got to bed [Sunday Night]? At 1:30 (AM). So you see, I can sleep tonight but I am going to show you that I think more of you than you do of me.

I sure would like to see you tonight and talk to you about our [?] are more. I know I could enjoy myself better than writing to you but hope I can be with you [Friday Night] and sooner if you give your party which I hope you will.

I will close and go to bed. Excuse this short letter and I will do better next time, that is, if I get an [answer] from this.

Ethel have my wish come true about those eggs. Have you got your 30 chickens out of 15 eggs? Ha ha.

Good night and sweet dreams and sweet dreams from your [trooe?] boy, Lin, by by.

Later Years

I have been fortunate enough to have known Papa Taylor (Lin -- Lynn) having come into the family in his later years. I read those letters of Ethel's and it let me feel closer and I could see his wonderful since of humor. This he has passed on to his children.Lin and Ethel He was a good Christian man, loving his Lord and his faith was unshaken. He set an example for his children. One which they will have a hard time ever coming close to. His love for the Church and it's teachings were strong in his everyday life. I miss his presence and influence. Those Sunday Dinner Blessings .."Bless the Sick and Sad at Home," I can still hear those words.

I am sorry my children did not get to know their grandfather because he was gone before they were old enough to remember but those grand-children of you that do remember Papa Taylor you can know he loved each of you dearly. Maybe this book will help you to remember.

The picture here is most like I remember him. He and Mama had been to church, this was in Easter Sunday 1954 just a few months later in September he was killed the Sunday before Labor Day coming home from church. All of us who knew him, knew he was happy having spent his last hour in the House of the Lord.

Marriage

In the days of Lin and Ethel's early marriage years, travel was rather hard, but if you wanted to go on a trip you went in a wagon. This is what they did. Lynn and Ethel went with Willie and Myrtle to Oklahoma to visit Lynn and Willie's sister, Annie. They traveled several days. No modern hotels or motels in those days. Cook out by a camp fire, sleep under the stars. It must have been a great adventure. I'm glad they made it.

Mama still talks about the good times they had. She recalls wading in the Blue River and having such a good time.

Lynn belonged to the Woodman of the World. Pictured left to right are: Jim Gladden, Lynn Taylor, Harrie Nickles, Corbet Musser, and Herman Gibbs. Lynn also was a School Board Trustee. He served as deacon of Josephine Baptist Church for 27 years. He attended Tyler Business College in 1912. He was discharged from Military Service (World War I) August 20, 1917.

Children

Archie Royal Taylor

Born: May 30, 1918

They lived on Mr. Taylor old home place south of Farmersville, Texas. The day before he was born, his mother (Ethel) hoed five acres of corn. She lead the hands and wanted to finish and send them on their way before time for him to be borned.

Melva Louise Taylor

Born: February 26, 1922

The day she was born it had rained and was very muddy. Annie and Gene had visited with them. Clifford was a fisty little boy and tracked mud all over the house. After they left to go home, Ethel had to get busy and clean house.

Ruby Lee (Patricia) Taylor

Born: June 2, 1924

Joe Lindy Taylor

Born: February 22, 1928

Shirley Ann Taylor

Born: June 8, 1938

Marriage

Lin and Ethel's first car was bought second hand --- a Ford bought in 1925. It had curtains.

Their second car they swapped their first for in 1926 and bought a Model T and it cost $400. It was something simular to the one shown below. Can you imagine a NEW car only costing $400.

In 1933 Lynn and Ethel were living on the Jim Smith Place. They had 30 bales of cotton stored in the yard and was offered 28 cents a pound but didn't take it. The next day the price dropped to 4 cents a pound.

When their last son was a baby their house burned and destroyed almost everything they had.

All of Lynn and Ethel's children grew up around Josephine and Farmersville. The highlight of the week was to go to Farmersville on Saturday night and later when they moved to Josephine the kids would all gather for the train to come in and bring the mail. They would play in the Depot. Saturday night at Farmersville was walking around and around the square to see who was there.

After they moved to Josephine, Ethel and her third daughter would catch the train and ride it to Dallas to visit her other daughters. The old depot is now gone but they can remember it and Hosey's Barber shop. I guess Hosey cut all the boys hair at one time or other. He gave my sons their first hair cuts too.

When I look back, some of the things I remember were the good times we all had at Papa and Mama Taylor's farm. These pictures were made out in the pasture by the barn. The barn is now gone, but we can still remember. The ball games and the Easter egg hunts, the firecrackers and the (zid?) behind the garage. Also remember the old wagon that stood out by the barn. I think it had belonged to Mama Taylor's mother.

This is the barn that Mama Taylor was going up in the loft and the trap door hit her in the head, she has often said, she thought it could have caused her heart attack.

Remember the mail box down the road, the little store at Burrow. The cotton patch accross the railroad. Each of you can add to these things to help us remember.

Easter Sunday - 1954

This was just a few months before Lin died.

The following pictures were made at the house of Mama and her daughter, Shirley who was a senior in high school at the time. Her daughter, Melva, and family were in Japan at the time.

Easter Sunday 1956

Archie Taylor and Family Easter 1956

Ruby and Husband Easter 1956

Joe Taylor and family Easter 1956.

Shirley Taylor Easter 1956

Endings

This old church held many memories. It was built in 1912 or 1913 and modeled after the old Washington Street Baptist Church in Greenville. All the children of Lynn and Ethel were members of this church.

Daddy Lynn was a deacon for some 27 years. His last son and wife were married here.

This weekly church bulletin has a lovely poem dedicated to Lynn after his death.

Monday, November 18, 1974 was Ethel (Mama) Taylor's 77 Birthday and her last daughter gave her a party at Mama's house. Hadn't anyone said anything about a party or get-to-gether to Mama and that night everyone started coming in.Ethel Two daughters, her sons, her daughter-in-laws, a son-in-law, five grandchildren, and three grandchilren-in-laws all began to come in. Her last daughter baked Mama a birthday cake and decorated it beautifully. (She baked two--- the first fell apart).

A grandchild called from Austin, wishing Mama a Happy Birthday and her first daughter and husband called from San Antonio and also wished her the same. This was a nice birthday for her and she received alot of nice things.

Lynn and Ethel's final resting place is in Farmersville cemetary. It is a beautiful place, with many beautiful shade trees and flowers. Along side Lynn, my son has been put to rest beside his beloved Grandfather, whom he never got to know. Someday Ethel will be with them; but until she is, we will treasure her and love her each day and hope she has many happy and healthy years ahead.

Even though I must stop someplace in our family book, some of us can keep it going; each year we can add to it. Let us not let our family drift apart.

with love . . . Evelyn Taylor