TAYLOR, George S., Hutchinson, Kansas, then Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions,
and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 424-426.  Edited
by Alc‚e Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical
Association.

Taylor, George S., U. S. referee in bankruptcy, Lake Charles, La., was born
at the family home on a stock ranch near Hutchinson, Kas., Aug. 30, 1874;
son of Gen. Thomas Thomson and Margaret Antonette (White) Taylor, natives,
respectively, of Freehold, N. J., and Georgetown, O.  The father was
educated for the Episcopal ministry, but later, through the influence of
his uncle, Miles Taylor, of New Orleans, La., he was sent to a law school
in New Jersey, where he graduated with the degree of LL. B.  He was
admitted to the bar in Ohio, the late Hon. Allan G. Thurman, at one time
candidate for the vice-presidency, serving as a member of the examining
board before whom he appeared.  Upon receiving his license, he began the
practice of law at Georgetown, Brown county, O., where he was later
admitted to practice before the U. S. courts.  He was married in that
locality, was later elected prosecuting attorney of Brown county, and was
serving in that capacity at the time of the beginning of the Civil war.  He
enlisted as a private soldier in Co. F, 47th Ohio volunteer infantry, and
served until the close of the war.  He was wounded at the fall of Fort
McAllister.  In the course of his term of service he was regularly promoted
for gallantry in action until he reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel;
was twice breveted--colonel and brigadier-general--and served as a member
of Gen. Hazen's staff.  After the conclusion of peace he returned to Brown
county, O., and filled an unexpired term as prosecuting attorney, having
been elected to that office during his absence.  Also, he conducted a
newspaper at Georgetown, and was interested in several other enterprises.
On account of failing health he found it necessary to leave Ohio, and moved
to Edina, Mo., where he operated a printing office.  While residing here he
was appointed to a government position by Pres. Grant.  In 1872 he moved to
Hutchinson, Kas., which was at that time a small town without railroad
connection and having only a stage line as means of transportation.  He
located on a homestead near Hutchinson and there engaged in stock raising.
While living there he thus represented his district as a member of the
lower house of the state legislature, and once as a member of the state
senate.  He served, also, as a member of the state board of charities.  In
1892 he located at Lake Charles, La., and took charge of the legal affairs
of J. B. Watkins.  In 1902 he was appointed by Judge Aleck Boarman as U.S.
referee in bankruptcy, and remained incumbent of that position until the
time of his death, Feb. 15, 1908.  His widow survived him until Sept.,
1913.  Seven children, 6 sons and 1 daughter, were born to their union.
George S. Taylor attended the public schools of Hutchinson, Kas., following
which, having manifested some talent in that direction, he began the study
of telegraphy and was afterward employed 2 years each by the Western Union
and the Postal Telegraph companies.  In the meantime he had taken up the
study of music, and later became engaged in orchestral work.  In 1895 he
went to Lake Charles and there began the study of law in the office of his
father.  He continued these studies under the father's direction, and also
filled the position of office assistant to the latter, until the death of
the father.  Shortly after having located at Lake Charles he became a
member of a local company of the Louisiana national guard, and at the
beginning of the Spanish-American war he volunteered and became a member of
Co. G, 1st Louisiana volunteer infantry.  In July, 1898, on account of his
manifest ability as a musician, he was transferred to the regimental band,
as a member of which he remained in the service until mustered out at
Jacksonville, Fla., in Oct., 1898.  Previous to the war he had organized
the first regiment band of the national guard.  In 1908, following the
death of his father, Mr. Taylor was appointed by Judge Aleck Boarman as U.
S. Referee in bankruptcy, to succeed the father, and has successfully and
conscientiously performed the duties of that office to the present time.
His territory is divided into 3 districts, Alexandria, Opelousas and Lake
Charles.  The parishes included in the Alexandria district are Rapides,
Avoyelles, Catahoula, La Salle, Grant and Winn.  Those of the Opelousas
district are St. Landry, Evangeline, St. Martin, Lafayette and Vermilion.
Those composing the Lake Charles district are Calcasieu, Acadia, Allen,
Jefferson Davis, Beauregard, Cameron and Vernon.  Politically, Mr. Taylor
describes his position as that of an independent.  He and his family are
affiliated with the Episcopal church.  May 9, 1900, Mr. Taylor was married
to Miss Nettie K. Kinder, who was born at Lake Charles, and is a daughter
of James A. Kinder, who came from Canada to Louisiana and engaged in
timber, wood and insurance business at Lake Charles, where he served, also,
as a justice of the peace during 4 years.