Yolo County
Biographies
JUSTUS HURD TAYLOR
The youngest of a family of eight children and the only one now living, Justus H. Taylor was born in Belfast, Me., April 5, 1834, and made his home in that state until ten years of age. His father, Samuel Gott Taylor, born in Anson, Me., in 1790, was an officer in the war of 1812 and was at the battle of Chattagee Woods. By trade he was ship caulker and graver, and for some time followed the sea as captain of a vessel. He died in Belfast in 1848. His wife was before her marriage Hulda S. Shaw, a native of Augusta, Me. She died in New York in 1865.
Justus Hurd Taylor came from patriotic stock. His grandfather on his mother’s side fought under John Paul Jones on the good ship Richard, and his grandfather on his father’s side fought in the Revolution and was present at the battle of Lexington. Early in life Justus H. Taylor was thrown on his own resources; while an apprentice he found time to devote to learning and the study of music, and being gifted with a good voice found much pleasure and profit in his chosen profession, the stage. Mr. Taylor came to California via Panama in 1854. At Aspinwall he was offered $50 a day if he would remain over one steamer and take an engagement, but he refused, as yellow fever was raging, and continued his voyage to San Francisco, entertaining the passengers on the steamer George Law (later known as the Central America), with his voice and banjo. Upon his arrival in San Francisco he took an engagement at the leading theatre at a salary of $8 a night, and afterward played in many mining towns in California and throughout the Pacific coast states.
At the town then known as Washington Flat an impromptu duel was being fought. As Mr. Taylor, John McFarland and Tim Darling were entering town, “Don’t stop here,” said the hotel man, who had the only suitable room where a performance could be given. “If you don’t give a good show they will throw you in the pit.” “What’s the pit?” was asked. “Well, it’s a place forty feet square and fifteen feet deep, kept full of water for mining purposes,” was the reply. The hotel man, being assured of a good performance, said: “All right boys, there’s the hall, you can have it free.” The hall (a dingy garret) was lighted with candles. Darling sat at a table at the foot of the stairs selling tickets, having for a light a candle in a bottle on a soap box. Mac was arranging things on the stage. Taylor was at the door taking tickets when the bully of the town attempted to pass in without a ticket. Taylor objected to such a proceeding, then the so-called gentleman proclaimed himself to be the “Great Western Devil.” “My name is Taylor, the price of admission to this show is $1.” “All right, sonny,” said his Satanic majesty, “I’ll get a ticket,” and so all went well. At one o’clock the following morning the performers were aroused by a delegation of the toughest of the crowd who came tramping up the stairs and shouting, “Come, get up here quick, we want you.” “Now we go for the pit,” said Tim. “All right, give us five minutes to dress and we will be out.” On presenting ourselves, our anxiety and fear were turned to joy and pleasure, for on reaching the dining room we beheld a grand banquet in honor of ourselves. We were kept there until nine o’clock the next morning, and when we left town, were each presented with a mustard can of gold specimens, everybody was out to say good-by and give three cheers and a tiger for the minstrels.
In 1861 Mr. Taylor went to China with Charles Backus, Frank Hussey, W. D. Corrister, George Coes and W. H. Smith, all known as the “Backus Minstrels.” Mr. Taylor arrived in Shanghai the day after General Ward was killed in battle. While at Shanghai Mr. Taylor formed the acquaintance of Generals Gordon and Forester, who advised him to sell tickets for the first performance at auction, but the company were satisfied to receive $4 a ticket admission. However, had he taken the advice of these gentlemen he would have realized thousands instead of hundreds of dollars. Upon Mr. Taylor’s return from China the company played in San Francisco. In 1865 Mr. Taylor went to New York City, where he opened with his own company on Broadway (the Old Hope Chapel). Subsequently he toured the eastern states with Barnum and Van Amburg’s circus and menagerie. In 1871 he took a company to England, where he played before Royalty at Manchester: Prince Edward, now king of England, Princess Alexandria and Prince Teck. From England Mr. Taylor went to Spain and Portugal and upon his return to America in 1872, in the city of Chicago, Ill., he organized a small company and gave musical comedies. A member of this company was little Mattie who has since become a celebrated artist upon the stage (now retired). She was Mr. Taylor’s
Special protégé, he having trained her from the age of four years. While touring the Pacific coast he took his company to Arizona, and while filling an engagement at Prescott, Mrs. General Fremont was among those who attended the first night’s performance, and so pleased was she with the entertainment that she did not miss attending during the rest of the engagement. Mrs. Fremont’s appreciation of the ability of little Mattie was shown by presenting the little girl with a large cake beautifully frosted and lettered “Arizona Bouquet for little Mattie.” Taking his company to Australia, Mr. Taylor gave a series of performances in the Theatre Royal at Melbourne and from Australia returned to the United States via China. Upon reaching Salt Lake City the company was disbanded.
Mr. Taylor came to Woodland in 1882. December 17, 1888, he was married to Rhoda Elizabeth Fredericks, at San Francisco, the marriage ceremony being performed by Rev. Dr. Beers of Trinity Episcopal Church. Mrs. Taylor received her education at Mills College, Oakland, graduating there from in 1878. She had received instruction in both vocal and instrumental music, and in 1880 went to Europe, traveling on the continent, and for a time studied music in Berlin. Upon her return to the United States she taught music and elocution in Mills College, but after her marriage she toured the coast with her husband, giving concerts until they settled in Woodland to make their permanent home. They have extensive landed interests, and besides owning a seven-hundred acre ranch near Winters, also own a beautiful home a Marshfield, Ore. Mr. Taylor is also interested in the Bank of Yolo. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, and with his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Taylor’s political sympathies are in accord with Republican principles. His wife is a member of Yolo Chapter No. 60, Eastern Star.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: "History of the State of California
and Biographical Record of the Sacramento
Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, Pages
412-414.
The Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1906.
© 2017 Joyce Rugeroni.
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Nugget Library's Yolo County Biographies