Clark County Clipper, February 16, 1928
PIONEER PHYSICIAN ANSWERS FINAL CALL
(Whiteman Forman Taylor)
Dr. W. F. Taylor died very suddenly at his home in this city last Friday at 2:30
p.m. That morning the doctor had driven to Sitka on a professional call and
had returned to his home and after the noon hour had gone out in the yard to
grease and oil his car. Mrs. Taylor saw what he was doing and called to him to
come to the house. Presently he came in and, changing the coat he was wearing
for one he was in the habit of wearing about the house, he sat down in his chair
to rest. He was feeling of his right hand and arm and said they were numb, then
placing his hand over his heart, he said said there was a pain there, when only
a moment later his head fell forward - the end had come.
The passing of Dr. Taylor brought personal sorrow to hundreds of homes in Clark
county and surrounding country. Perhaps no other man had more intimate
acquaintance in as many homes - especially the homes of the pioneer and earlier
settlers of this section of the Southwest. For almost half a century he had
been serving the people of this country as a physician, and during these years
close friendship had been made with those whom he served.
The funeral service was held from the Presbyterian church at 3:00 p.m., Sunday,
M. G. Stevenson, funeral director, being in charge. Rev. T. R. Mordy, pastor of
the Presbyterian church preached the funeral sermon. Interment was made in
Highland Cemetery, the Masonic order having charge of the services at the
cemetery.
Relatives and friends from a distance who came to attend the funeral were Mr.
and Mrs. R. T. Pugh of Kansas City; Ray Berry of Enid, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Holland of Anthony, Kansas; Sam Wallingford of Wichita; Earl Wallingford of
Kansas City; M. W. Keller of Wichita; Mrs. Daisy Forman of Salt Lake City, Utah;
F. M. Arnold of Emporia, Kansas; Dr. and Mrs. Dugan of Gate, Oklahoma.
Obituary
Whiteman Forman Taylor, affectionately known to us as Dr. Taylor, was born at
Washington, Kentucky January 15, 1857, and passed away at his home in Ashland,
Kansas, February 10, 1928, in his 72nd year. He was the son of Robert and
Jennie Taylor, and one of a family of six children, and is survived by his
brother, Charles, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and his sisters, Misses Daisy and
Bessie Taylor of Hollywood, California. His brother, John Taylor, now deceased,
was engaged in the mercantile business in Ashland, in the early days with R. N.
Molyneux, and will be remembered by many of our people.
He was married to Ella T. Pugh, at Vanceburg, Kentucky, July 11, 1883, Mrs.
Taylor was one of a prominent Kentucky family, and her brother, Judge Pugh, a
member of Congress for a number of years, made many friends on his visits to
Ashland.
Dr. Taylor leaves his wife and four children, George Taylor, Mrs. Jennie Able,
and Anna D. Taylor of Ashland and Mrs. Daisy Gorman, of Salt Lake City, Utah,
all of whom were present at the funeral services.
He graduated with honor from the Kentucky School of Medicine, Louisville,
Kentucky, in 1881, which at that time was one of the standard and accredited
medical schools of the country. He came from a family of physicians and his
grandfather was a practitioner for many years, as was a brother. Their love of
the profession rested on their sympathy of administering relief.
Dr. Taylor entered upon his practice at Ouincy, Kentucky, after graduation,
where he was at once made county physician, and continued practicing there and
at Vanceburg, until he came to Kansas in October, 1884. He located at Ashland
in December following, and for more than forty three years has lived among us
and practiced his profession. He purchased lots near the present location of
the Court House, where he lived in a small home for many years, and on his
arrival here by way of Dodge City, there were but four other houses in Ashland.
Dr. Taylor was a real frontiersman, as his ancestors had been before him, and
has been a benefactor to our community, throughout his long service. The roads
were never too bad, the nights too dark or cold, the blizzards too severe, where
a human life, however humble or poor, was in the balance. Nor did he stop to
inquire as to compensation, or even personal expense. His only thought was to
give relief, and in this stress of storm, over swollen streams, and unblazed
trails, now regarded as impassable, he went on his mission of love and sympathy,
and gave relief in many instances, when the probability of losing his own life
was equal, if not greater, than that of saving the life of his patient.
For many years he was the only physician here, and he made visits to adjoining
counties, and often in Oklahoma, traveling on horseback or in a horse drawn
vehicle, suffering from stress of storm and cold, as but few frontier physicians
have ever done. If relief came to the sufferer he felt compensated, and never
resorted to the law or courts to collect a claim.
The community has been most fortunate in having a man of his type and skill
among us all these years, and we rejoice that the sickle was not put forth until
the full grain was in the ear, the fruit ripened and the harvest time came.
Dr. Taylor had no patience with pomp, parade or pretense, but judged his fellow
men by their simple acts, deeds and character, and in a kindly spirit made them
friends and brothers. He was capable, conscientious and cautious in attendance
on the sick and afflicted, always fearful that something may have been left
undone. In all his relations - social, business and professional, he observed
the highest order of integrity, leaving an example worthy of emulation.
He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and the religious spirit came down
upon him and his family through a long line of Christian ancestors. He became a
member of the masonic order in Kentucky, and through _____, a charter member of
the Ashland Lodge many years ago, and in the daily walks of life, adopted their
tests and standards as models of correct living.
The grave receives into its bosom a gentle form and the gates have opened to a
noble spirit. The community has lost a real benefactor and friend of the family
a devoted husband and father.
Contributed by ~Shirley Brier~ October 27, 2005.
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