The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 119

FRANK J. TAYLOR.

Frank J. Taylor, of Sunnyside, Washington, is one of those men who by their
labors have greatly contributed toward the development of the Yakima valley
along various lines. He still owns a fine farm, which is run by his son, and
also is prominently connected with banking interests, but most of his time is
devoted to the management of the local telephone company. A native of Iowa, he
was born in Fayette, October 5, 1866, a son of Milton M. and Hessie M.
(Crawford) Taylor, both of whom have passed away, the former in Iowa, while the
latter's death occurred in Sunnyside, Washington. They were among the honored
pioneer people of their neighborhood in Iowa and the father filled a pulpit of
the United Brethren church.

Frank J. Taylor was reared amid the influences of a refined home and under the
guidance of good Christian parents. After having absorbed an ordinary school
education he attended a business college in Des Moines, Iowa, and then took up
the occupation of farming, in which he was successfully engaged in his native
state until 1904. The far west, however, had attractions for him and he
therefore in 1904, severed home ties and removed to the Yakima valley, buying
sixty acres of land «ear Sunnyside, which under his direction has been brought
to a high state of cultivation. The property is now very valuable, as all
modern improvements have been instituted and the latest facilities in machinery
have been installed thereon. The buildings are in excellent condition and
everything about the place shows the progressive methods which Mr. Taylor has
always followed. The farm is devoted to various lines of agriculture and is now
under the management of his son, Fred Dewey.

For many years Frank J. Taylor has been connected with the local banking
business, being a director of the First National Bank of Sunnyside. He served
as president for one year and is now holding the position of vice-president,
his business ability and sound judgment having been of great importance in the
growth of the institution. In 1905 he was one of the main factors in the
organization of the Farmers Independent Telephone Company, which in 1907 was
incorporated as the Sunnyside Telephone Company. On July 1, 1917, the City
Telephone Company was organized, which is owned by the Valley Telephone Company
and the Sunnyside Telephone Company. Mr. Taylor is manager of both the
Sunnyside Telephone Company and the City Telephone Company and the excellent
service which is furnished by these institutions is largely due to the
unremitting attention which he gives to these business interests. His entire
time is taken up with his duties in this connection and he has received the warm
commendation of the people of the neighborhood on account of the excellent
service furnished.

On the 2d of April, 1890, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Addie
Wilbur, also a native of Iowa, and to this union two children were born:
Blanche, now the wife of Harold Elliott and they reside on their ranch near
Sunnyside; and Fred Dewey, born in 1898, who is now in full charge of his
father's farm.

Mr. Taylor has always taken a most laudable part in all movements undertaken in
the interests of his community as a member of the Sunnyside Commercial Club.
Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and his religious
belief is that of the Methodist church. In his political views he is
independent, giving his support to those candidates whom he regards most worthy
of office regardless of party affiliation. He has many friends in the valley,
all of whom speak of him in terms of the highest admiration and respect,
recognizing in him a successful business man of the highest qualities of
character.

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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.