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Show / jflS S{ . tJ1., U c:., (1 ' . Statement of significance . / The John Whittaker Taylor home is significant as a residence of JohnW. Taylor and helps with SJl understand' ItS r his unique place in Utah and !-!ormon history. The home was the abode of his third wife and in later years, his first wife. John W. was a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles 'of the L.D.S~ Gh~~h from 1884 ._\lIlti~.. _±9()5 L~Q..~!lJltL~gsigned {'\1 The principle of Plural r.farriage was the reason for -this resignation. Taylor was also active in political affairs in Utah. His business interests spread from Canada to Mexico. This home is a reflection of his love of beauty and elegance with it~s beautlful . woodworkand fireplaces. The home becomes an important piece in understanding the puzzle of John W. Taylor, his life and his beliefs. ' History The John W. Taylor home, in Farmington, wast built in two phases. The original home was built by Leondis Hambin Kennard. It was built of adQ~ and ' contained one large room. The year of it's construction was about 1878. The red brick portion was bui~t on the south side of the original Kennard home. This was started in 1900. It was completed some years later. ' John W. Taylor was born May 15, 1858, in Provo, Utah. His parents were John Taylor (third president of the L.D.S. Church) and Sophia Whittaker. The family had aoondoned their home in Salt Lake City as Johnson's Army ap.proached. The family later returned to Salt Lake City, where John W. Spent his early liie. "He worked some at farming and spent considerable tL'ile laboring in his 4 father' 5 saw mill which was near Kamas, toward the headwaters of the Provo River." He was also active in church affairs as a young man and was an employee of the County Recorder's office in Salt Lake City. He later wrote for the 'Deseret News f • On October 19. 1882, John W. married Nay Leona Young Rich, in the Endo)oijtlent House in Salt Lake City. John Tayior (his father) performed the marriage. On April 9, 1884, John W. Taylor was "set apart .. as an Apostle in the L.D.S. ChllrB(1""QJ~J;.h-a..\Ml'le year, he had the chance to s,p eakwith P I1Mt Grover Cleveland~ in Washington D.C .• Tney discussed the rights of the Latterday Saints. He was also called on a mission for the c3urch t~, Mexico. He "had . the privilege while there of meeting President Diaz." ' . ' . . . Upon his return from Mexico, John W. Taylor served in the Utah State Legislature for one term. Taylor's business .interests were spread from Canada to Mexico, He was involved in ranches and fams, irrigarion companies. selling Navajo rugs and step ladders. These did not all prove profitable, however, and led to f1nanc1a~ problems. In 1887. John W. had the opportunity of meetL"'lg ifith Sir John A. }lcDonal.d, 6 then Premier of Canada. In the 1880's, he had met the national leaders of Canada. the United States, and Mexico. In 1888, John W. took a second wife, Nellie Eva Todd, and started to live the principle of Plural Marriage. Nellie was, strangely enough, the aunt of ~!ay . Rich, John W. 's first wife. Nellie was married to John W. by Francis M. Lyman, just over the United State~';'Canada border, on the Canadian side. The marriage took place on a steamship. It was in Alberta, Canada, that Nellie was to spend the early years of her marriage. On October 10, 1889, Janet Maria ~oolley became the third wife of John W• . Taylor. Janet M. (or Nettie) ' Ylas from Tooele, titah,and had known loth of the Ylonen that were already married to John 11. It was under her supervision that the Farnington home was built. |
