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Note: Obituary of Doctor Lester L. TAYLOR, from the YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS (Ohio) August 29, 1957
The oldest living physician in Yellow Springs, Dr. Taylor delivered 2,300 babies during his career, in addition to travelling far and near to anyone who might need him.
He completed his undergraduate work at Muskingum College, New Concord Ohio and was graduated in 1897 from the Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, which is now known as The Ohio State Medical College. He started medical practice that same year in Fairfield, now known as Fairborn and practiced there for several years.
He moved to Yellow Springs Ohio in February 1904 where he set up practice and has been ever since. He has lived at the Walnut Street address for 53 years.
The son of John T. and Emily (Breese) Taylor, he was born October 25, 1863 in Perry County. In November 1890 he married Ora Acta McCaslin. She preceded him in death three years ago.
Of Presbyterian faith, he was an elder in Perry County at the age of 21. When he moved to Yellow Springs he was affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder there. He has been a member of that church for more than 50 years.
Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Buckley Rude at 2:00 P.M. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church. Calling hours will be from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. and 7 to 9 P.M., Sunday at the Boyds Funeral Home in Yellow Springs. Burial will be in Fairborn Cemetery.
Dr. Taylor is survived by a son Rev. Rodney Taylor of Chambersburg PA: four daughters, Mrs. A. Gordon MacLennan, of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Norman Crock of Philadelphia, Miss Jean Taylor and Bernice Ross of Yellow Springs; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild and one brother, Curtis Taylor of New Lexington.
News Article about the death of Lester L. Taylor, M.D.
This information was published in the Yellow Springs Ohio News on Thursday, August 29, 1957. Kindly researched by the staff at the Greene County Library in Xenia Ohio.
Written by J. N. Wolford, NEWS Publisher during most of the period of Dr. Taylor's active practice in Yellow Springs.
FAMILY DOCTOR FOR HALF A CENTURY
"Dr. Taylor speaking," spoken by a calm pleasant voice was the answer to phone number 325 for the past half century. Now many are the hearts saddened by the thought that the reassuring voice will be heard no more, for Dr. Taylor is dead.
The community recognizes that the loss of so valuable and loveable a citizen. He had put in long and dreary hours to maintain the health of the community - often working far beyond his great strength, unmindful of what might happen to him. Many were the times he was more ill than the patient he was attending.
When Dr. Taylor came to Yellow Springs in 1904, other physicians here had grown old in service and had limited their practice. He was in full vigor of health and ready to answer any call day or night; and there were many. Much of his practice was in the horse and buggy days. Often I have seen him start out, after several hours in the office, at 9:00 and 10:00 at night in snowy and cold weather to make calls in town and country-side. In the open buggy would be a lantern and soapstone for heat. Those were the days before the closed buggy and automobile.
Dr. Taylor was a man of great energy and powerful physique, else he could not have carried the great load of responsibility that he did. These natural endowments he used with telling effect in advancing the best interests of the community. On moral issues he was always found on the side of right and truth. In him were blended gentleness, strength, courtesy and courage. He was a kindly man and stood as a commanding figure in the community.
Dr. Taylor was a deeply religious man. He practiced it daily in his medical duties as well as his everyday life. He believed in a Power above medical science. He believed that faith is a great moving force that cannot be weighed in the balance or tested in the crucible.
Dr. Taylor was one of those physicians who fought desperately to save his patients. But after bringing to bear all his great knowledge of medicine without results, he reluctantly acknowledged defeat when he realized that the patient was about to join the that "innumerable caravan that moves to the mysterious realm." It was then he ceased to be the physician and became the counselor and friend and benefactor, in many cases, one of the chief mourners, as evidenced by copious tears. If the family home was a needy one, he supplied the necessary funds, took over all the arrangements for the service and later kept a guiding hand on the family's future. If a family was penniless and he knew he would never be paid, it made no difference to Dr. Taylor. He would gladly go to their aid any time of the day or night.
In an hour of tragic need, many people turned to Dr. Taylor for counsel on affairs far removed from medical ad. At several times he acted as guardian for fatherless children. One other time , of which I had knowledge, he became administrator of the estate of a widow in poor health and the farm much in debt. By his wise management the farm was cleared off debt.
I have only recited briefly some of the highlights in the career of this remarkable man as I knew him. Memory of him in this community will linger long. Such was the fabulous career of Dr. L. L. Taylor.
---------J N Wolford, NEWS publisher 1905-1940
Ancestry.com Ohio Census 1910:
Greene, Yellow Springs 0091 Lester L Taylor Husband W 47 Ohio 03690504 0081 Wife Ora A 43, Ohio
Daughter Leanna P 18, Ohio
Son Elmer J 14, Ohio
Daughter Bernice G 09, Ohio
Daughter Mary G 05, Ohio
Daughter Eugenia 03, Ohio
Son Rodney T NR, Ohio
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