The Tupelo Times
Thursday, November 2, 1911
GRANDPA TAYLOR, AT AGE OF 85 PASSES AWAY.
WAS NEAR OLDEST COAL COUNTY RESIDENT

The many friends of the venerable Eli Taylor, one of Coal County's pioneers and most respected citicines, will regret to learn of his death and interment which occured last Sunday.

Grandpa Taylor, as he was affectionately called by those who were close to him, he had been ailing for a ling time co-incident with the infirmities of old age, about ten days ago he contracted a cold which settled on his lungs. The ordeal was to much and he succumed on Sunday morning. Death came easily while his last moments were spent with several members of his family who were gathered at the home John Mathis where the revered gentleman has lived for a number of years.

Grandpa Taylor was born in Mississippi on November 17, 1826. After spending his early days there among the Indians and following the spirit of adventure which called him to migrate to the southwestern Empire he started for Arkansas. After spending several years in Arkansas he finally moved to Texas. After several years residence in the Lone Star State Mr. Taylor migrated to Oklahoma in which state he has resided for the past 28 years. By vocation and inelimation Mr. Taylor was a stockman and farmer and persistent application and common sense acquired his share of the world's goods.

Early in life he married Miss Annie Rebecca Littleton, his boyhood sweetheart, who shared with him his early trials in his early struggles. To this union were born eleven children. Mrs Taylor died in 1872 and later Mr. Taylor married Miss Margaret Littleton, a sister of his former wife, and to this union were born three children. Mrs. Taylor died in 1892. The living children are: Mrs. John Keef, of Stratford, OK, William Taylor of Blanchard, OK, Mrs. Annie Mathis, wife of John Mathis with whom the deceased resided in Tupelo, Mrs. Alice Everett, of Chism, George Taylor, of Spanish Ford, TX, Lewis Taylor, Miss Elizabeth Taylor, and Edward Taylor the later three of Tupelo.

Grandpa Taylor was a Confederate Veteran serving under General Miles. He participated in several sever engagements but was never wounded. In character and spirit he was a splendid man and a God fearing one, he always deported himself as such and won friends and the respect of every one with whom he came in contact. While not unexperienced his death never the less caused grief to his relatives and friends.

Funeral obsequies were held Sunday after noon, the Rev. Mr. Malloy officiating. Interment was made in Byrd's Prairie cemetery.