Schley County GaArchives Obituaries.....Taylor, Phillip E. March 3, 1911
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The Schley County News  March 10, 1911
IN MEMORIAM
Having been closely associated with him for near twenty years, we feel that
we are in a measure capable of paying a feeble tribute to the life of our
friend, Judge P.E. Taylor, whose death which occurred on last Friday
morning brought a shadow of sorrow over our entire little city.  While he
was only fifty four years old when the "Great Reaper" reached forth his
unerring hand and called him forth, his life and career was nevertheless one
most remarkable, and perhaps but few could have fought the battles of
misfortune and affliction as did he.  Judge Taylor's early days were spent
upon the old home farm in this county, near old Bethel church; his earlier
education was gained from the country schools, to be finished in the little
city of Talbotton.  Before he had reached his majority he left the farm to
enter a business college in the city of Atlanta.  When completing his course
there, he accepted a position with some wholesale firm of that place as a
book-keeper, and from that very beginning of his business career he
demonstrated every necessary qualification essential to ultimate success in
life; thus as time passed and he ripened in experience, his positions became
more responsible and his salary more encouraging.  After a while he was
offered a position as traveling salesman with a handsome salary attached.
His territory was a part of Texas and Mississippi, and it was in this
calling, perhaps, that Judge Taylor found his greatest talent.  Pursuing
this vocation near ten years, having by hard licks, honest dealings and
determination reached the point where he was receiving as large a salary as
any traveling man of that time, the hand of misfortune, without the faintest
ray of warning, laid hold on him one night while he was asleep in a lonely
room of a hotel in one of the larger western cities.  Paralysis had
accomplished its awful mission and our friend could only open his eyes on a
new, sad day with the realization that his life's work, as he had planned,
was, in a measure, over.  Was it over?  No!  With many of us it would have
ended, but with Phil E. Taylor it was different.  Not one in ten thousand
would have fought the battles of affliction for twenty years so successfully
as did he.  Almost in the twinkling of an eye he was snatched from the very
prime of perfect manhood on to the bed of affliction, where he remained for
nearly two years, unable to walk even with the assistance of crutches.  All
said, "there's no chance for Phil," but with that optimistic determination,
which was a greater part of his whole being, he arose from his bed, yet
greatly hampered by affliction, and did a valiant and honorable service for
the people of his native county even unto the last.  It is of this period of
Judge Taylor's life that deserves the highest tribute.  More than
sixteen years ago he came back to his old home, afflicted as before stated.
So soon as he was placed again upon his feet, a vacancy occurred in the
Office of Ordinary, caused by the death of Mr. T.B. Myers.  Mr. Taylor and
others entered the contest for this office, and Mr. Taylor won out.
Doubtless, when he entered this race he had never thought of politics or as
serving in the capacity of a county official, but as in all of his former
undertakings so it was in this--he made good.  His commercial training
thoroughly equipped him for the clerical duties of the office, and in
addition to this training he set to work and studied law, was admitted to
the bar under Judge W.H. Fish thus qualifying himself in such a manner as
the records of his office now show, to make the best Ordinary the county
ever had, and perhaps good as the state afforded.  During his entire sixteen
years as Ordinary, he performed every duty required of him fearlessly with
justice and impartiality ever making friends of those whom he dealt, and
causing his constituency to appreciate his real worth more and more each day
that he served them.  His service alone to the pensioners and widows of
pensioners of our county, in ever assisting them in their efforts, to get on
the pension roster, will long be remembered by many, it always being a
pleasure for him to aid them in this capacity.  The social or sunny side of
his life was ever one to be envied.  In the face of greatest adversities,
when the clouds of direst afflictions seemed to hover more mightier over him,
and when it would seem that the human heart must respond to the call of
despondency, he always endeavored to turn the thoughts of his friends from
his own misfortunes in exemplifying the brightest side of life.  None could
come in contact with him without being refreshed by his sunny disposition.
His troubles of the past seem not to abide with him, but rather he was
always looking to a brighter, better future.  He possessed a big, noble
heart, ever ready and easy to respond to the call of sympathy or to do good
deeds.  In the exercise of charity he seemed to find his greatest pleasure.
Through his long career as a public officer, or as a private citizen, true
charity never knocked at Phil Taylor's door, but that the hand, though
feeble as it were, was extended and the request granted.  Yes, he had faults
too, but who has them not.  Let he who is without them, cast the first
stone."  Taking his life as a whole, we can but feel that he fought the
battle well, doing always the best that he could do, giving the best that
he could give, living always the best that he could live.  And now as his
great, magnanimous heart is to pulsate no more here among us, and his
decrepit form is to pass no more before us as an object of our love and
sympathy, let us be consoled in the sweet realization that "God Is Love,"
and that our friend is now transplanted in that realm where no afflictions
abound.

By A Friend.


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