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SYNOPSIS OF THE HISTORY OF TAYLOR.BY JOSEPH PERKINS.Thirty-six years ago today—January 23, 1878, James Pearce, with a family of five, landed in this valley. They were the first Mormon family to locate on Silver creek. Other families soonfollowed, obtaining only sufficient shelter to barely cover them. Those who came in 1878 were Jos. C. Kay, Jesse and William Walker, the Cordons, Jos. Clawson, L. H. Hatch, Noah Brimhall, Abe Perkins, Mr. Bowman, Florence Westover, Ed. Dustin, Dan Bagley,Merrill Willis, John H. Standifird anddaughter, Anne, the last of whom obtained the present Solomon ranch aboveShumway. Jesse N. Perkins and family came in 1879, followed shortly by Jsmes Ellsworth, pioneer blacksmith. Early in the spring, Jos. and Alex. Mc-Cleve, W. H. Solomon, Eliza and Jos. i» ft ft %Thomas, Ransom brothers, the Dodges, the Windsors, Joe Scotland, Joe Miller and the Shumways arrived. Later, in the fall, the two families of M. L. and Jos. S. Hancock came.Miss Lizzie Pearce was born at Solomon’s ranch July 9, 1878, being the first white child born on Silver creek. Miss Ella Walker was the first born in Taylor, March 22, 1879. The first adult death was John H. Perkins, on February 21, 1883. The first infant was Mary Willis on August 25, 1880.The first squash, melons and corn were raised in 1879. Two irrigationditches were also constructed at this time. The meetings, Sunday schools and dances were held in private houses. In 1880 the first public school was started, with Miss Anna Hunt as teacher. A Ward was organized September 25,1880, with John H. Standifird as Bishop. A postoffice was established May 21,1881, with Jesse N. Perkins as post-master.During these years, dances, candy pullings, boat riding, picnics and May Day parties were the amusements indulged in, with an occasional Indian scare.R. J. Perkins and Miss Jane Hancock were the first to be married, traveling 425 miles in a wagon to the St. George temple.Heber K. and Jesse N. Perkins werethe first to go on a worldly mission, and left for the Southern States Mission January 29, 1886.From a family of five 1878, the population has since increased to 520 souls on January 23, 1914.The first houses were built of logs,hewed and shaped with the axe, next the sawed logs and the lumber box houses.
Newspaper Details
Snowflake Herald
Snowflake, Arizona, US
Sat, Jan 31, 1914
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Grace M.
30 Jan 2025
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