The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 69

E. W. R. TAYLOR.

Among the pioneers of Prosser is numbered E. W. R. Taylor, who is half owner of
a large flour mill in this city which he has now operated for nearly a third of
a century. From a small beginning it has become one of the large industrial
enterprises of the neighborhood and he derives therefrom a gratifying income, so
that today he is numbered among the prosperous men of the valley. He was born in
Lucas county, Iowa, May 12, 1859, a son of George S. and Nancy Rebecca
(McLaughlin) Taylor, both natives of Indiana. They removed from their native
state of Iowa at an early day in the development of that state. Thence they
crossed the plains in the primitive style of the pioneer in 1866, making their
way to Washington, and remained in Walla Walla for a few months, whence they
removed to Seattle, which remained their home for a year. The year 1867 found
them in Selah, Washington, and at the time of their arrival only eight families
were located in the valley. George S. Taylor took up land here and gave his
continued attention to agricultural pursuits and live stock dealing with good
results until death claimed him, his demise occurring as the result of an
accident. His widow survived until 1916. Mr. Taylor, Sr., took a very prominent
part in the public life of the valley, being an ardent exponent of democratic
principles. For one term he represented Yakima, Klickitat and Kittitas counties
in the state legislature, and his word and opinions were of great weight with
his confreres. In his position he was able to do much good for his constituency
and many measures which were passed through the legislature on account of his
arduous representation have brought such good results that the benefit from them
is apparent to this day.

E. W. R. Taylor removed with his parents to Washington when but seven years of
age and is therefore numbered among the early and honored pioneers of this
state. Amid the new surroundings of residence he received his education in the
schools of the neighborhood and after putting aside his textbooks began to
assist his father in the faun work, becoming thoroughly acquainted with
agricultural methods and values. He was then engaged in the live stock business
with his father until the age of twenty-four, when he struck out for himself and
proved up on a homestead claim. In 1888 he came to Prosser and bought a
primitive little flour mill there which under his able management has grown
until it is today an industrial enterprise of vast importance to all the
surrounding farmers. For thirty years Mr. Taylor has been a resident of Prosser
and during that period has built up a reputation in private and commercial life
which stands second to none, his word being as good as his bond. Mr. Taylor also
conducted a general store in his city, where he carried well assorted lines of
goods, his fair dealing and honorable methods securing to him a large custom.
This business he owned for over twenty years. It was established in 1890, but in
1910, on account of his other interests, he sold out. He also had a store of the
same kind in Yakima which he owned for two years, from 1895 until 1897. The
mill, to the operation of which he now gives his whole attention, is one of the
oldest in the valley and was built in 1887, just a year before he became the
proprietor. It has a capacity of two hundred barrels per day, and is therefore
one of the largest of its kind in this part of the state. A very high grade of
flour is turned out and the farmers of the neighborhood who have dealings with
Mr. Taylor are as one in their agreement as to his fair treatment of all.

E. W. R. Taylor has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Annie
Sutton, of Yakima, and to them were born six children, namely: Pearl, who
married Harry Forsyth and is now residing in California; Arthur, who has the
active management of the mill; Roy, who is also associated with his father in
business, acting in the capacity of miller; Claude, who is serving his country
in the United States army; Edna, the wife of Fred McNeil, of Prosser; and
George, who is a member of the United States Ambulance Corps, No. 570, and is
now doing duty in Italy. The death of Mrs. Taylor caused deep sorrow not only to
her immediate family but also to the many friends whom she had made in Prosser
and the neighborhood. Mr. Taylor later contracted a second union with Miss Mae
Widby, of Prosser, and both are popular members of the social set of their town.

Mr. Taylor has always taken a deep and lasting interests in the upbuilding of
his community, of which he is one of the honored pioneers, and this interest
finds documentary evidence in the fact that he is serving at present as
president of the Prosser Commercial Club, whose projects for expansion and
growth in industrial and agricultural ways he largely promotes. In politics he
is a democrat but without desire for office, preferring to do his duty as a
citizen at the ballot box. The religious faith of the family is that of the
Baptist church and fraternally Mr. Taylor is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, in which organization he has many friends. He is a man of
sterling character who by his honorable dealings has reached a state of
prosperity to which he is fully entitled and none can grudge him his labor's
fruits which he has so honorably attained.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.