Parsons, Col. William and Shiach, W. S. "An Illustrated History of Umatilla County and of Morrow County." Spokane, WA: W. H. Lever, 1902. p. 333. JAMES TAYLOR One of the earliest pioneers to the section, now Umatilla county, a man who always labored for the good of his fellow men both in example and precept, James Taylor stood pre-eminent as a representative citizen and a noble Christian. He was born in Missouri on January 4, 1824, where he lived until he was twenty-six years of age, and where also he obtained a good common school education and received that training from his father, William Taylor, that was the foundation of his later worthy career. The next year after famous "Forty-nine" he threaded the dreary plain road with ox teams and rested at his journey's end in the Willamette valley, where he bought a farm near Albany and continued tilling it until 1864, when he came to this county. He selected a place one mile southeast from Echo, where he resided and followed stock raising and farming. The barrenness and wilderness-like appearance that met him on every hand are hard for the later settlers of this county to realize. From this waste he wrought out a veritable garden spot that speaks highly of his taste and ability and industry. At the beginning he commenced to raise sheep, but later divided his attention between these and cattle, of which latter he had two hundred head, and over thirteen hundred head of sheep. He had sixty acres planted to alfalfa, and ninety acres more that will grow that crop from which he fed beef cattle during the winter ready for the high spring markets. During the busy scenes of life he always found time to attend to political and school duties, being especially interested in all that was for the good of his fellows. He was a member of the Masonic order and had been for the past thirty years. His marriage occurred May 7, 1894, when Miss Bessie Young, daughter of John M. and Caroline (Weir) Young, natives of Indiana, became his bride. Mr. Taylor built a fine two story brick residence and numerous other good and substantial buildings, with all the conveniences that his business and large estate of four hundred acres demanded. A fine orchard is a part of the results of his labor. But best he is remembered for the good that he did to others. He was a member of the Christian church, and raised ten orphans, giving his time and money to fit others for the battle of life, and showing them, by a pure and upright life of faith in his Divine Master, the road also to a better and enduring substance hereafter. On Marcy 11, 1901, Mr. Taylor was called from the scenes of life to enter upon that reward which he had wrought for himself during the long years of faithful Christian walk, and which shall be his as the gift of the Divine Master, whom he loved and served while here among his fellows. While his loved ones mourn, it is not without that comfort derived from the faith in the Savior that promises in due time to bring again the one that has gone on before. No one was more universally beloved and respected by all the community than the faithful Christian, wise father, noble man and beloved and loving husband, James Taylor. Truly it could be said of him, "He had fought a good fight, he had finished his course, he had kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give him at that day." ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.