James Rawson Taylor Page 1 of 3

THE FAMILY OF JAMES RAWSON TAYLOR AND MAMIE CLARA PERKINS

James Rawson

Taylor, known as Jim, was

born 3 February 1888 in

Farr West, Weber, Utah, on

the family farm. His

parents, James Henry

Taylor and Martha Amelia

Rawson, had purchased

their home on the southeast

corner of 2000 West and

1800 North from Jim’s

grandfather.

Jim was the eldest

son in the family, although

he had two older sisters.

When Jim was only six

years of age, his father died,

leaving a family of six

children. Jim had to learn

early how to help his mother

in running the farm, for she

remained a widow for

almost eight years before

marrying William Richard

Summers of Plain City.

Jim spent almost his

entire life in Farr West. He

lived in Oregon for a year

when he was age 18, then he

lived in Coltman, Idaho for

two years after he was

married.

At age 21 Jim

married Mamie Clara Perkins in Farr West with Bishop Moroni Chugg officiating. She had been

born 19 August 1889 in Johnson City, Washington, Tennessee, the daughter of James Andrew

Perkins and Sarah Ellen Hensley. Mamie was a good homemaker, and Jim was an ambitious

worker, so they had a good life together.

At the time of the rabies outbreak (date not available) Jim was made Constable. He and

Russell Taylor were in charge of all the dances and shows held in the Farr West Ward Church.

Jim never owned a farm of his own, but he was a sharecropper for many years with his

cousin George B. Taylor, living in a home that was located on one of George’s farms just east of

where Jim was born. When Mamie’s mother approached an advanced age, Jim and Mamie

James Rawson Taylor & Mamie Clara Perkins

Glen, Nina, Clarence & Ellen

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moved their family to the mother’s home directly across the street east from the Farr West

Chapel on 2000 West. They were able to care for her until her death on 7 Jul 1941.

After leaving farm work, Jim served as water master on the Western Irrigation Company

for 12 or 13 years. In those days a lot of manual labor was involved on the canal. Early in the

spring a crew would be assembled to travel the length of the canal, manually shoveling out sand

bars, removing tree limbs and rubbish and trimming back grass which protruded out into the

channel.

For a number of years Jim and Mamie did the custodial work at the Farr West Chapel.

The building was always kept neat and comfortable. Several years later LaRue Taylor Mietchen,

who had served as president of the Primary, recalled having been in the building one day while

Mamie was busy cleaning windows. LaRue recorded, “I once remarked that she should not

climb so high to wash those windows as she might fall, but she said, ‘Oh, the meetings are so

much more pleasant when the sunlight pours in through bright, shiny windows.’‘ Those words

tell a lot about the tender care that Jim and Mamie gave in the Lord’s House.

Jim had served as a counselor in the YMMIA while living in Idaho. He did not hold any

leadership positions while living in Farr West, but he and his companion were very supportive of

those in leadership positions. LaRue Mietchen recalled that Mamie was her visiting teacher and

recorded, “ I especially grew to love Mamie, who was my visiting teacher for several years. She

walked 3/4 mile to visit me and regardless of the weather, she never missed a month that I can

recall. Her visits were always most welcome for her sweet and cheerful spirit always made my

day a better one.”

Mamie served as secretary in the Relief Society under President Amanda Dabb for 10

years 1927-1937. She was President of the Farr West Relief Society from 1943 to 1947.

Jim and Mamie raised a lovely family. The children were taught to be industrious, kind

and respectful. The Taylors were so proud of their children’s accomplishments.

On 20 March 1966, the last night of their lives, Jim and Mamie sat together in sacrament

meeting. After the meeting was over, they left the chapel and walked across the poorly lighted

highway toward their home. An older gentleman traveling northward on the highway at that late

hour did not see them and struck them, killing both instantly. The accident was a terrible shock

to family, friends and neighbors. However, at their funeral the comment was made that these

good people had lived an exemplary life and prepared well to enjoy the riches of eternity. They

were buried 23 March 1966 in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Compiled by Brian L. Taylor in July 2006 from the following sources:

1. Brief life history of Jim and Mamie written by son Clarence A. Taylor, 18 Jun 1975.

2. Taylor Talk newsletter of the Joseph Taylor Family Organization, Nov. 1975.

3. Ogden City Cemetery Records, 1875 Monroe Blvd., Ogden, Utah 84401

3. Personal recollections

THE CHILDREN OF JIM AND MAMIE:

1. James Glen Taylor was born 22 Apr 1911 in Coltman, Bonneville, Idaho. He married

(1) 18 Jul 1928 (Div) in Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah, Jessie Eveline Birch. She

was born 1 Feb 1912 in Driggs, Teton, Idaho. Glen married (2) 10 Nov 1937 in

Farmington, Davis, Utah, Myrtle Cobia. She was born 29 Jul 1908 in Rosette, Box

Elder, Utah. Glen married (3) 13 Aug 1944 (Div) in Ogden, Weber, Utah, Irma

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Evelyn Sturm. She was born 22 Dec 1908 in Etna, Box Elder, Utah. Glen married

(4) 1 Dec 1967 in Ogden, Weber, Utah, Thelma Coy. She was born12 Jun 1907 in

Plain City, Weber, Utah.

2. Son Taylor, born and died 24 Feb 1914 in Farr West, Weber, Utah.

3. Nina May Taylor was born 26 May 1915 in Farr West, Weber, Utah. She married 24

Apr 1933 in Farr West, Weber, Utah, John “R” Clawson. He was born 7 Jul 1912 in

Morgan, Morgan, Utah.

4. Henry Ray Taylor was born 15 Dec 1918 in Farr West, Weber, Utah.

5. Clarence Arthur Taylor was born 25 Jun 1920 in Farr West, Weber, Utah. He married

12 Jun 1940 in the Salt Lake Temple, Ann Schenck. She was born27 Jun 1915 in

Sugar Creek, Rich, Utah.

6. Martha Ellen Taylor was born 13 May 1923 in Farr West, Weber, Utah. She married

16 Jul 1943 in Farr West, Weber, Utah, Eugene Durand Lyman. He was born 3 Apr

1912 in Mitchell, Davis, South Dakota.

SOURCES:

1. The William W. Taylor Family Association Record in the possession of Brian L. Taylor,

1924 North 2000 West, Farr West, UT 84404

2. LDS Internet International Genealogical Index, 2006