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Note: Catherine Edwards has his birth date as 23 May 1841 AGED PIONEER DIES IN HOME OF DAUGHTER RITES FOR WILLIAM TAYLOR WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY Last rites will be conducted at 2:30 P.M. Wednesday in the First Baptist church in Altus for William Taylor, to whom goes the distinction of organizing the first Sunday school in Jackson county. This 93 year old pioneer of southwestern Oklahoma succumbed at about 9:30 A.M. today at the home of his daughter, Mrs. F.W. Minor, 215 North Willard street, after an illness of two years and seven months, during which time he suffered with acute nethritis. Rev. R.W. Leazer, pastor of the First Baptist church will have charge of the services and interment will be made later in the afternoon by the Merritt Funeral directors at the City cemetery. RETIRED FARMER Taylor, who was a retired farmer, had been making his home with his daughter in Altus for a number of years. Jackson county, which was then really not Jackson county, but a part of Greer, Texas was thinly populated when Taylor came here in April, 1893. Settlers who had stopped in their sojourn to the western country long enough to make a home in this community, had concentrated their efforts upon making money or acquiring of property rather than turning their attention to religion. But Taylor, who was interested in religious affairs, soon sponsored the organization of a Sunday school. The place for worship consisting of a small one room building, was located seven miles south and one east of Altus. There were 25 members of this Sunday school who met to worship each Sabbath day. Two Sundays each month a minister brought them a sermon. This aged Confederate veteran and frontier builder of the city of Altus, ran a store at the community known as Locke for a number of years. He was postmaster there for 17 years. This is a portion of the present city of Altus. (a note says that is wrong) He had the distinction of being the organizer of the Confederate veterans in Oklahoma. He held the honor of being the first state commander, an honor which was conferred upon him as long as he would accept it. He also held the commission as brigadier general and major general. He was educated in high school and the mechanical college of his home state. He married Miss Elizabeth F. McCree in 1864, but she died five years later. Miss Frances E. Enochs became his bride in 1871, the late Mrs. Taylor having died on August 2, 1927 in Altus. EARLY DAY MAGISTRATE Four years Taylor served on the township board in the early days of Altus, and was magistrate in Jackson county in 1871 (note says date is wrong) In 1900 he organized the Confederate Veterans in Oklahoma. He has attended 30 reunions for the Confederate veterans. Taylor's right hand was wounded during the war and he had little use of it since that time. He was then placed on the retired list and refused an opportunity to return home until the end of the war. In later days he would relate to interested Altus persons many experiences and risky trips made after being wounded, carrying provisions and supplies to the Confederate soldiers on the firing line. He once outwitted federal officers who searched him thoroughly be concealing the two weapons he was carrying to fellow soldiers in a horse collar on his mule. Often he would carry letters from officers and soldiers from the regiment to their destinations. These letters he would conceal in the lining of his coat and would sew them securely, so that they would escape detection. This pioneer was born in Meden, Tenn., on May 23, 1841. It was in company H of the Twelfth Tennessee Infantry under General A.S. Johnson, in which he served until wounded at Shilo. Survivors include a son and daughter, B. S. Taylor of Rankin, Texas, and Mrs. Sherod Seagraves of Oscala, Ark., son and Daughter of the pioneer and his first wife, and the following sons and daughters who were born to him and the former Miss Frances E. Enochs: Mrs. F.W. Minor of Altus, A.S. Taylor of Trenton, Tenn, Joe W. Taylor of Kerrick, Texas, Mrs. R.J.T. Elms of Boise City, Okla., and Mrs. W.P. James of Kerrick, Texas. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. S. B. Williamson of Washington, D.C. and Mrs. L. H. Tyree of Trenton, Tenn., by 58 grand children and 53 great grandchildren, many of whom live in Altus and other parts of Jackson county. Local grandchildren and others from nearby points who will be in attendance for the service tomorrow include Mrs. Claude Davidson of Blair; Joe Minor Drumright; Mrs. D.J. Bowen of Chickasha; Blake Minor, Apache, and Basil Minor, Cushing and in Altus, Mrs. Hatton McMahan, Fred Minor, Miss Martha Minor, Sherod Minor, Miss Virginia Minor, Miss Elizabeth Minor, Hunter Minor and Mrs. Glenn Hunter. Three nephews who will likewise be here for last rites are J. W. Enochs of Temple, Okla; Dr. R.Z. Taylor of Blair and T.L. Taylor of Enid. Studied to be an architect at the University of Virginia. His hand was shot through at the battle of Shiloh. From Lois Garner: The records show that William Taylor, Private, Company H, 12th Tenn. Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted August 31, 1861, at Camp Brown. Company muster roll for May 6, 1863, last on file, shows that he was wounded at the battle of Shiloh. Other records show that his name appears on a register of the Invalid Corps, Provisional Army Confederate States, date of retirement shown thereon as October 5, 1864. No later record has been found.
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