Archives West Finding Aid

Carson W. Taylor, according to James E. Lindsey's biographical sketch of September 27, 1934, was born near Alleghany, Pennsylvania, on September 29, 1863, the son of William and Jennie Carson Taylor. Following the death of his mother in 1868, and the subsequent deaths of his younger sister and brother, young Carson was boarded out to various relatives until he was fifteen years old.

At that time he rejoined his father who had located in Moscow, Idaho. William Taylor had filed a pre-emption near Clinton, a homestead near Staley and a timber culture near Whelan on the Washington side of the border. This last he maintained until Carson could file on it as a homestead, which he did in 1886.

The same year Carson Taylor married Miss Sarah Eagle of Johnson, Washington. They had five children. Sarah died in 1890 in the Puget Sound Country and two years later, in Franklin, Michigan, Carson married Lou Bowden. They also had five children, only three of whom survived to maturity.

The timber culture homestead, filed on in 1886, was prepared for plowing and the sowing of wheat. Throughout his life Carson Taylor remained primarily a wheat farmer and was often one of the first in the area to purchase and use new equipment. In addition he occasionally raised flax, alfalfa, peas and corn.

Added to his responsibilities as farmer both Carson Taylor and his wife were active in civic matters. Lou Taylor was registration clerk for the Branham precinct for many years. She also served as school director. Carson Taylor was deputy assessor of Branham precinct for over twentyfive years. In addition he was clerk of the local school board for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were active in the Whelan Grange as well; in fact, Carson Taylor helped organize it and served in every local office except that of master, which he refused. Carson W. Taylor died December 8, 1934 in Pullman, Washington.