Thomas H. Taylor Biography This biography appears on page 1497 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. THOMAS H. TAYLOR, one of the successful and representative stockmen and ranchers of Rapid Valley, is a native of Westmoreland county, England, born on October 5, 1850. He was educated in his native county and remained there until he reached the age of twenty, then in 1870 came to the United States, settling near Decatur, Illinois, where he engaged in farming three years. In 1873 he removed to Columbus, Nebraska, and there gave his attention to dealing in cattle and horses for four years. At the end of that time he loaded a bull outfit with provisions and machinery and came to the Black Hills, arriving at Haywood on April 28, 1877. From there he moved to Rockerville, then one of the busy mining camps of the territory, and from that point made trips over the Hills to Deadwood, Rapid City and elsewhere and back to Rockerville. He was occupied in prospecting and was also interested in the Nebraska Mining Company, organized by him and a companion from Nebraska. Having brought a haying outfit with him from his former home, he operated it in the neighborhood of Rapid City during the summer of 1877. He also operated the first mail and express route between Rapid City and Rockerville, with headquarters at the former place. In the fall of 1878 he took a contract to carry the mails between Rapid City and Rockford during the winter, and in April, 1879, located a ranch on Rapid creel; six miles from the town, where he settled and began farming and raising stock. At the same time he started a livery business at Rapid City which he carried on until 1881, when he sold this and devoted his entire attention to his stock and farming industry. In 1886 he sold the ranch and stock and opened a harness and saddlery business at Rapid City, which he continued until 1891, during this time being also interested in mining, in 1887, in company with others putting in a smelter at Galena. In the spring of 1891 he took up the ranch on which he now lives in Rapid valley, nineteen miles from Rapid City, and disposing of his other interests, he moved his family to the place and they have since resided there. He has been extensively and successfully engaged in raising stock of high grades, and has also devoted much time and energy to the promotion of the interests of the community along all lines of wholesome development, bringing to the aid of public local affairs the wisdom gained in his long and varied experience and the breadth of view characteristic of an enlightened and patriotic citizen. In politics he is an active worker for the Republican party, but he has never desired the honors of public station for himself. On December 22, 1888, Mr. Taylor was married at Rapid City to Miss Emma L. Hays, a native of Missouri, they being the first couple thus united in the Episcopal church of that town. They have five children, Claude W., Earl H., Guy R., Florence M. and Wesley P.