Elisha Taylor, 1851-1944 [RG1447.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG1447.AM:  Elisha Taylor, 1851-1944

Correspondence:  1880-1882; 1941 and 1945
Blaine County and Broken Bow, Custer County, Nebraska:  Homesteader, Rancher, Livestock Dealer, Insurance and Real Estate Agent
Size:  Twelve items

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Elisha Taylor, son of Miner and Anna Taylor, was born in Green County, Wisconsin on December 20, 1851. After receiving an education at academies in Watertown and Broadhead, Wisconsin, Taylor spent some time teaching near his family home. Elisha Taylor came to Nebraska in 1880 and homesteaded in Blaine County where he began a cattle ranch on the Dismal River. In 1886, he moved to Custer County and continued ranching and dealing in livestock. He married Louise Hersinger Darr in 1888 and went on to have five children. Taylor continued ranching and dealing in livestock until 1900 when he entered the real estate, loan, and insurance business. At this time he moved to Broken Bow, where he resided until his death on February 6, 1944.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of twelve letters dating from 1880-1882, 1941 and 1945. Ten of the twelve letters were written by Elisha Taylor, newly arrived in Nebraska, to his sisters in Wisconsin. Taylor describes his primitive living conditions, the topography of the ranching land in Blaine and Custer Counties, and dances and social events attended. Convinced that his new home is ideal for ranching, “but is no farming country,” Taylor also mentions livestock purchased. Taylor’s cousin, Nellie Taylor Monroe, wrote a letter to commemorate Taylor’s 90th birthday in 1941. In this letter, Taylor’s cousin recalls him as a young man. A letter dating from 1945 from “Ray” to his cousins was probably written by Taylor’s nephew. Written to Taylor’s children, the writer recalls Taylor’s ranch in Blaine County and stories about Taylor.

Accession: 167

INVENTORY

Correspondence, 1880-1882, 1941 and 1945


Subject headings:

Blaine County (Neb.) — History
Cattle
Custer County (Neb.) — History
Livestock
Ranches — Nebraska
Taylor, Elisha, 1851-1944


AIP/ksa                        06-1991
Revised TMM         05-09-2007

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

Nebraska State Archeologists at Sharp Homestead

Nebraska State Archeologists at Sharp Homestead

Marker Monday: Mullen, Hooker County

Marker Monday: Mullen, Hooker County

Robert Kennedy and the 1968 Nebraska campaign trail

Robert Kennedy and the 1968 Nebraska campaign trail

About NSHS

The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed NSHS from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Director Daryl Bohac. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for NSHS.

Explore Nebraska

Discover the real places and people of our past at these NSHS sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of NSHS members.

NSHS Education

Learn more about the educational programs provided at our museums, sites, and online.

Education Digital Learning Resources

Find games, lists, and more to enhance your history education curriculum.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast!

Nebraska Collections

NSHS's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

NSHS's Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

NSHS Services

Digital Resources

Find all of our digital resources, files, videos, and more, all in one easy-to-search page!

Support The Historical Society

Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to the Nebraska State Historical Society help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of NSHS.

Volunteers are the heroes of NSHS. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.