Biography of R I Taylor, Clay Co, AR

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From: 
The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of N. E. Ark.
Biographical Information.

R. I. Taylor is a native of Henry County, West Tenn., and was born on the 9th of
April, 1839, his parents being John and Sarah (Carey) Taylor, the father a
native of West Tennessee and the mother of South Carolina. The paternal
grandfather was a Virginian by birth, the maternal grandfather having come
originally from South Carolina. John Taylor emigrated from Tennessee to what is
now Clay County, Ark., about 1852, coming in a wagon drawn by an ox team, and
settled on the farm now owned by Robert Hawthorne, in Carpenter Township, where
he made improvements and resided until about 1859. Then he removed to Howell
County, Mo., and died there in 1866. His wife died in Stoddard County, Mo., on
her way to Arkansas. To them were born four children R. I. Taylor being the
third in order of birth. He was but thirteen years of age when he came to this
State, and received only limited educational advantages as there were but few
settlers and no schools in the country at that time. Such knowledge of books as
he possesses was obtained at home by self application. In the spring of 1861 he
enlisted in Company F, Seventh Arkansas Regiment, and served until the close of
the war, being a participant in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro,
Mission Ridge and several hard skirmishes. He was wounded by a gun shot in the
left arm at Shiloh, which has nearly ruined the use of that member, and was also
wounded by a gun-shot at Murfreesboro, but soon recovered as it was merely a
flesh wound. He served as second sergeant and was paroled in 1865. He returned
to Clay County, and about 1872 located on his present farm, which consists of
200 acres of land, with some sixty-five acres under cultivation. He raises corn
principally, and gives considerable attention to stock. Having followed farming
all his life he is thoroughly acquainted with its varied features. In 1867 he
was married to Rebecca Howell, a native of Missouri, by whom he has three
children: John, Lewis and Alma. By his second wife, whose maiden name was Annie
Heath, he had two children: Rosa, living, and Rosella L., who is deceased. Mr.
Taylor is a well-respected pioneer of Clay County, having resided here since the
time when not more than a half dozen families were within miles of him. He has
aided very materially in the advance and progress of the community.