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- CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS of 1891 pg 926 One of the distinguished yet unassuming members of the Arkansas bar is Judge Felix Grundy Taylor, who has won his splendid success by a wise and systematic application of his abilities to the profession ofhis choice, in his strenuous labors making good use of his native talent and acquired mental forces.
He was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on the 30th of November, 1859, a son of Robert L. and Nancy ( Uhl ) Taylor. On the paternal side he is of English descent, the progenitors of the Taylor family in this country having come from England in 1669, in the early colonial days. He is a direct descendent of Zachary Taylor, twelfth president of the United States. For many years the Taylor family was one of the prominent families of Virginia.
The Uhl family originally lived in Alsace - Lorraine. Members of that family likewise came to this country at an early day.
Robert L. Taylor was born in 1810 in Smith county, Tennessee, and in early life he engaged in farming. He located on valuable land near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and he was engaged in agricultural pursuits there for many years, achieving well merited success.
At Carthage, Tennessee, in 1837, occurred the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, both of whom are deceased. To their union nine children were born, Felix Grundy, whose name initiates this review, being the youngest child.
Felix Grundy Taylor was educated in the common schools of Cape Girardeau and subsequently enrolled in the Southeast Missouri State Normal School. His earliest ambition was to become a lawyer and he began reading law in the office of E. F. Brown, one of the well known attorneys of Corning. In due time he was admitted to practice before the Arkansas bar and he established offices for the practice of his chosen profession in Corning in 1882. He has been in continuous active practice since that time and in point of practice he is the oldest practitioner in this county.
Earnestly and energetically applying himself to his profession, he was enabled in a comparatively brief time to establish himself as an able lawyer and in due time he was called to public office. He was elected from Clay county as a representative in the session of the state legislature 1894 he was elected circuit judge of the second judicial district . He was reelected to that office in 1898, serving in that capacity to the complete satisfaction of all until 1902. He has always been a stanch advocateof education and during the early periods of Clay county was active as school examiner. On the 4th of October, 1882 , Judge Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Viola Beloate, whose demise occurred in Jonesboro in 1901. To their union five children were born: Rupert, Beloit, Ida, who is the wife of James R. Rhyme of Ashdown; and one son and daughter who are deceased. The religious faith of the Judge is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a generous contributor to its support. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, holding membership in the blue lodge; with the Royal Arch Masons; and the Commandery at Jonesboro. He is likewise affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Judge Taylor is a man of proven ability and is well calculated to inspire all with his manly qualities and true personal worth. Every man who knows him is his friend and he well merits the confidence and esteem in which he is heldby his professional brethren and fellowmen.
- HON. F. G. TAYLOR.
Senator Felix Grudy Taylor occupies a place in the front rank as a member of the Twenty-eighth general assembly. He is an orator, clear, sound, earnest and persuasive.
In politics he is an ardent Democrat, having rescued his county from the clutches of the Union-Labor party at the last election.
Mr. Taylor was born in Cape Girardeau county, Mo., November 30, 1850. He came to Clay county, Ark., in 1879 and has made this state his home since that date. He taught school in Clay county two years, and in November, 1881, began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1884, and has been in the active practice of his profession since. His practice now extends to the supreme court and the United States court. He is conceded to be the ablest lawyer in Northeast Arkansas, and the state could not turn its eyes and attention to a more suitable and efficient man for attorney-general than Felix Taylor. Being a young man, full of vehemence and magnetism, possessed of considerable wealth and a laudable ambition, he would sweep the state as none other could.
He is one of the strongest members of the judiciary committee, and his interpretations of constitutional law are generally accepted.
He is a hard worker on the floor of the house, and is the father of several needed and useful bills. The portrait of Jefferson Davis that hangs above the speaker’s desk is the result of one of his resolutions.
Although Felix started in life penniless and illiterate, he is destined to stand first in the honors and affections of the people of his state.
- The Arkansas Democrat 27 Mar 1891 pg 3 col 5
- five children were born:
Rupert
Beloit
Ida, who is the wife of James R. Rhyme of Ashdown
and one son and daughter who are deceased.
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1859 - 1939 (79 years)
