“GREATEST WAR MOTHER” DIED HERE FRIDAY

Resident of Blair for 59 Years. Five Sons in World War

Mrs. A. J. Taylor, 80 years of age, passed away June 4th at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Claire Warrick of East Colfax street. She had been an invalid for several years.

Deceased was born at Huntsville, Logan county, Ohio on May 31, 1857, and on March 16, 1875 she was married, and the next year the young couple came west and settled at Blair. Here the husband followed his trade of a painter for many years, and here they reared and educated a family.

A family of fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, one being born in Ohio before coming to Blair, and thirteen being born in Blair. Of these, eleven are living, Mrs. Gwen Smith of Whittier, California; Mrs. Nellie Fletcher of Whittier, California; Fred, Mrs. J. Harold Stewart and Mrs. Claire Warrick of Blair; Edwin B. of Denver; Max W. of Whittier, California; Bryan of Los Angeles, California; Ivan of Reinbeck, Iowa and Paul of Auburn, Nebraska.

During the World war the family gave liberally to the cause of justice, and at one time five sons were over seas and two more were ready to go when the armistice was signed. For this reason the Nebraska American Legion designated her a Nebraska “greatest war mother” and she treasured proudly the snow white horseshoe set with five blue stars which she received from that organization.

The husband died in 1931, and since that time Mrs. Taylor has spent most of her time with her children, making her home with Mrs. Warrick mostly, where she passed away.

Another early settler who watched Blair grow has answered that call common to all flesh. She has left behind her a train of memories that will be cherished by her children and her friends as long as time shall last, that memory is of a life well spent. She filled her place in the world and filled it well.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. T. J. Reese officiating, and interment was made beside the husband in the Blair cemetery.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #50922740