Shasta County
Biographies
CLAY
WEBSTER TAYLOR
There seems to be a happy combination in the
names inherited and given to the big hearted, broad-brained son of Shasta,
representing as he does the orator, Shasta and popular leader. His life has
been one of incessant toil from early youth and by his own exertions he has
placed himself in the foremost rank as a lawyer, legislator and citizen.
Nature
fashioned him in a mould of attractiveness, and his intellect and commanding
form stamp him as a representative American. At the earnest solicitation of the
better element of society, without regard to party, he served as District
Attorney of Shasta county thirteen consecutive years.
As Senator from the Twenty-fourth District he gained a high reputation as the
sagacious guardian of the interests of the people, and was a prominent
candidate for Governor. He is wrapt (sic) up in his
profession and has steadily and persistently declined official position as a
State officer or by appointment from the Chief Executive of the United States,
whilst he has taken an active part in national politics as a chief in party
counsels and seems never so happy as occasion offers to help and advance
personal friends politically, by efforts directed only on the plane of dignity,
fairness and a fidelity that wins the admiration of rivals. As a contemporary
has said: “He is a man conspicuous among that class of clean California
statesmen who have lived their lives here, trained in our ways; knowing our
needs, and who aim to elevate, purify and dignify the profession of politics.”
The recent trial of the case of Barkley vs. Copeland, in which he was associate counsel, showed his ability as
an attorney-at-law. Twenty-four days were consumed in the trail and eight days
in argument by counsel, of which Brother Taylor took two days. The Red Bluff Daily Sentinel, in its issue of April 5th,
gave an extended notice from which we make the following extract: “We were
there ourselves and know whereof we speak and cannot let this opportunity pass
to say that we have never witnessed in the State the exhibition of better
forensic talent and eloquence than that displayed by Hon. Clay W. Taylor in his
closing argument for plaintiff. We cheerfully concede that our measure of the
orator had not been commensurate with his deserts, and we take pleasure in
saying that Mr. Taylor has no superior and but few equals as a lawyer and
orator in this State. If true merit, profound legal knowledge, strict fidelity
to the interests of his clients, and brilliancy as an orator are
stepping-stones to fame we bespeak for him in days to come a future of eminence
and celebrity.”
He served two terms as Most Worshipful
Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons with signal ability, and has been
advanced to the Thirty-second Degree in Scottish Rite Masonry, and is also a
Knight Templar.
He has been a conspicuous factor in
building up the A. O. U. W., and served as Grand Master Workman one term, and
also Representative to the Supreme Lodge.
His father, who was a physician,
died when Senator Taylor was a youth. In all of the relations of life, as a
public servant, a sagacious legislator, fearless prosecutor and lawyer he looms
up among his associates as Mount Shasta does among the peaks of Northern
California.
The institutions and genius of our
country have developed the best character, broadest statesmanship and truest
nobility. We admire the men who laid the foundation and controlled the destiny
of the United States of America for one hundred years. And it is a subject for
congratulation to know that the descendants from our honored sires are capable
and worthy to bear the names of the illustrious statesmen of a great free and
powerful nation.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated
Fraternal Directory Including Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast”,
Page 116, Publ. Bancroft Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
Golden
Nugget Library's Shasta County Biographies