1892 Biography - J. Warren Taylor

One of the prominent planters of East Feliciana parish and one of its most highly respected citizens is J. Warren Taylor, who was born in Madison county, Va., ten miles from Culpeper courthouse, October 7, 1816, and took up his residence in this parish in 1836. His parents, Humphrey and Nancy (Broyles) Taylor, were also natives of the Old Dominion, the former born in 1788 and the latter in 1798, and were members of the first families of the state. In 1844 three brothers of the Taylor family came to the West, two of them settling in Kentucky and the father of our subject in Howell county, Mo., where he followed agriculture until his death in April, 1870, his wife following him to the grave in 1871. The children born to Humphrey and Nancy Taylor were seven in number, of whom three are yet living: Morgan A., in Howell county, Mo.; Mrs. Francis Hitt, in the same county, and the subject of this sketch, who was third in order of birth. The deceased were Robert, who died at the age of thirteen; Martha, who died at about the same age; Mrs. Mary Ann Newman, who departed this life in Howard county, Mo., and Mrs. Elizabeth Tatum, who passed away in Amite county, Miss. J. Warren Taylor was reared in the old homestead in Virginia, and was educated at the common school. In 1836, as stated, he came to Louisiana from Culpepper county, Va., to Clinton, this parish, consuming about thirty days in making the trip. He first located near Clinton, but later settled near Jackson, where he conducted planting most successfully ever since. Here he married Miss Mary H. Pipes, daughter of David H. and Martha (Withington) Pipes, and a half-sister of D. W. Pipes of Clinton. Martha Withington was born April 29, 1797, and was a daughter of William and Sally (Stanley) Withington, who were married February 13, 1794, and were the parents of the following named children: Daniel, born July 5, 1795; Elizabeth, April 29, 1797, as well as Martha, the mother of Mrs. Taylor; John, May 14, 1801; Crothers, October 19, 1803 (died January 27, 1809); James, September 14, 1805; Emily, now Mrs. Lee, born October 23, 1807; William S., January 15,1810; Thomas L., September 20, 1812 (died November 4, 1812); Robert Lewis, born February 10, 1814 (died August 29, 1817); Sarah C., born February 14, 1816 (died October 8, 1819); Amanda, born August 29, 1821 (died September 28, 1821), and Augustus who was killed in Arkansas. The father of the above named family was born April 11, 1773, and died August 15, 1837. He was a son of William Withington, who was born February 10, 1741, and died February 22, 1819; the mother was a daughter of Sands and Zilpah Stanley, born March 22, 1777, and died June 1, 1845. Sands Stanley died November 19, 1791, and Zilpah Stanley, March 31, 1808. Mrs. Mary H. Taylor was born and reared in East Feliciana parish, was educated at Judge Drury's female seminary at Jackson, and was married in September, 1841. To this happy union eight children have been born in the following order: Olivia, the wife of H. L. Pond, living in Ethel, La.; Bertha, wedded to C. P. Whiteman, of Dallas, Texas; Emma, who was married to W. W. Worthy, of Ethel, La.; David H., a merchant near Ethel; K. K., at home; Martha died at the age of three years and ten months; Elma, when two years and eight months old, and Henrietta when she was fourteen years and six months of age, she being an attendant at a seminary in Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. J. Warren Taylor have one of the most pleasant homes in East Feliciana parish, situated on the road between Jackson and Clinton. The residence comprises two stories, is supplied with every comfort, and is surrounded with first-class outbuildings. The farm comprises 1,290 acres and a large portion is under improvement. In addition to this fine property Mr. Taylor has a considerable investment in Dallas, Tex. In politics Mr. Taylor is a democrat, and in early days took an active part in furthering the interests of his party, but of late years he has done little more than exercising his right of suffrage. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church south and are liberal contributors to its support. The family are very highly respected and commended for their kind and charitable acts. Mrs. Taylor is a lady of culture and refinement, is of original habits of thought and of great force of character.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 2, pages 414-415.