Franklin William Taylor, was born September 4, 1858 in St. Francois County, near Farmington, Missouri, and passed away at his home in Licking, Missouri, March 25, 1944; age 85 years, 6 months and 22 days.  He was a member of a family of thirteen children all of whom have passed away except Judge Wilson Allen Taylor of St. Louis.

When he was seven years old, the family left St. Francois County and settled on what is now known as the Taylor farm, eight miles north of Licking, and located in Phelps and Texas counties.

He was educated in the rural schools of Dent and Texas counties and in the Salem Academy.  He never went to school in any other than a log building except one and in all these never sat upon a seat with a back until he went to the Academy.  He taught eleven terms of school in Phelps, Dent and Texas counties, never receiving a salary of over $30 per month, but managed to pay his own way through his two years of Academy work.

He served Texas County as Deputy Collector and two years as Collector.

He was married to Miss Samantha Thornton, November 30, 1882.  To this union six children were born:  Talbert of San Francisco, Calif., Mrs. Alva Hass of Thayer, Mrs. Eula Ray of Licking, Grant Davis of Cabool, two died in infancy.  The wife and mother passed away March 9, 1939.

He was converted about July 28, 1873 at almost 15 years of age, and was baptized into the Rock Springs Baptist Church the first day of August following.  Not long after he became a member he was elected Clerk and served for many years, later was ordained Deacon, and finally in 1911 was ordained to the ministry.  He was Superintendent of the Sunday School in the Houston Baptist Church during the time he worked in the Collector's office.  He was also President of the Sunday School Institute of Texas County for several years.

He was in the organization of the Dry Fork Association and helped to make up the manuscripts of the first minutes of that association.  A little later he was elected Clerk and Reading Secretary of the Association and held that position about nine years.  After returning to the Texas County Association he was soon elected Clerk and served for a number of years, after which he was elected Moderator and served in that capacity for about 25 years.

When he was ordained in 1911, he was immediately called to the pastorate of his home church, the church at Anatt in Dent County; a little later to New Salem Church, and still later to the Boone Creek Church.  All were fourth-time churches.  From that time on he had full time work until his health failed in 1943 and he had to give up all.  Besides the churches mentioned, he was pastor at Licking half time for several years; Cabool half time; Chapel Hill fourth time; Summersville fourth time; Plato, Hickory Ridge, Central Baptist and Enon, in Dent County, fourth time.  He was elected pastor at Boone Creek in 1913, first as fourth time pastor, then as half time; in 1920 was elected for full time and served until he could serve no more, making his pastorate at Boone Creek 29 years.  In all his work he baptized from 700 to 1,000 converts and attended about 300 funerals.

(The above obituary was written by Rev. Taylor as his own life story.) 

From the Mountain Grove Journal
Posted by: Phyllis Rippee