JOSEPH THOMAS TAYLOR

JOSEPH THOMAS TAYLOR: Elder Joe Tom Taylor, as he was affectionately known, was born near Bell's Run Church, Ohio County, Kentucky, on April 27, 1854. In his youth he attended the common schools of the county and in later life attended the old Hartford College. He was converted at an early age and was baptized into the fellowship of Bell's Run Church by Elder J. P. Ellis. This same church licensed him to preach in 1893 and on December 24, 1894, he was set apart to the work of the Gospel ministry by Elders R. T. Bruner, C. C. Sapp, B. F. Jenkins, E. H. Maddox, and J. S. Coleman. From his ordination until he retired from the ministry because of throat trouble Brother Taylor served the following churches as pastor: Concord, Adaburg, Barnett's Creek, New Panther Creek, Campbell, Pleasant Grove, Woodward's Valley, Olaton, all in Ohio County; New Hope in Muhlenberg County; and Hopewell in Daviess County. 

Brother Taylor was married to Miss Miriam Roach of Ohio County in December, 1873. To this union was born two children, both of whom are still living at this time (1943). Mrs. Lulie E. Sirles of Owensboro and Mr. O. D. Taylor of Calhoun. Mrs. Taylor died in May, 1922. Elder Taylor preached up until about the age of seventy. He died at the home of his daughter, in Owensboro, on June 13, 1937, at the advanced age of eighty-three. His funeral was preached at the Third Baptist Church by Bro. W. Earl Robinson and his remains were interred in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Owensboro. Brother Taylor possessed but small gifts in his work but he used them extensively for the glory of God. He was a nephew of Elder J. S. Taylor, whose sketch appears before this one.

"A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 1844-1943" by Wendell H. Rone. Probably published in 1944 by Messenger Job Printing Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky, pp. 352-353.