Saturday, October 17, 2015

B.W. Taylor and His Wood Working By Pat Kinsella Herdeg

B.W. Taylor




Mom has often said that her grandfather--Bryant Waller Taylor (B.W.)—was NOT a farmer. He did not enjoy it, although of course he lived and worked on his family farm.

He DID seem to enjoy woodworking. He had a barn full of tools for the craft—lathes, planes and chisels of all types, and a skill saw for making jigsaw puzzles. And, did he use these tools!

In the winter months, when the land was not in need to tending, he would head to the barn to work. In later years, he brought his tools to Porter Street in Batavia and continued his woodworking there.



My Heart's In the Highlands Puzzle

Desk Lamp



 
Chinese Checkers



He made numerous jigsaw puzzles (and yes, they are tough to put together—not as uniform as the puzzles we are used to today), small boxes with lids, lamps, candlestick holders and even games. Mom remembers his Chinese Checkers rounded game board. He would make some game pieces out of wood and paint them, but also game pieces out of cork, as they were far easier to carve!  B.W. also made lazy susans, and a wooden sewing stand. Many of the boxes, games and lamps would be given as gifts to friends.

B.W.'s second wife, Emily Carr Taylor

Sewing Stand

Mom remembers B.W. making a large wooden ferris wheel which was placed in the front window of his son Leon’s store on Bank Street in Batavia. It had cigar boxes for cars [ minus lids] and he electrified so it rotated! Looked grand according to Mom.


My great grandfather may not have enjoyed the career of farming he had to pursue, but I am glad that he did find at least one hobby which kept his spirit enriched. As Mom and I put together a few of Bryant Waller’s puzzles, I saw him leaning over the workbench in his barn surrounded by his tools. A man of many parts, the complexity of his puzzles equals the man.






Monday, October 5, 2015

Taylor Reunion Time! By Aunt CB

It was another great Taylor Reunion on Saturday September 19th!

It was a lovely reunion day, bookended by rain on both ends. With Uncle Harold in the nursing home, all were very aware of the shortness of life. Everyone was able to circulate well and a good time was had by all. I am sure that Aunt Ruth was pleased because her four boys were there and all we missed were her fried cakes!



The Clan, Seated

Bridget Kinsella, Maddy Kinsella, Kelly Kinsella, Leah Walker, CB Taylor Kinsella, Jack Kinsella, Ted Lochner (slightly behind Jack Kinsella), Abby Hauf, Jonah Hauf

Standing (Row Behind Seated Row)

Kathy Taylor Mills, Jen Dalle Kinsella with arm around Joe Kinsella, Maggie Kinsella, Laurie Lochner, Rosemary Holz Kinsella, Annie Taylor Catherman, Dan Kinsella (behind Annie), Judy Taylor Alberts, Tim Kinsella (behind Judy), Jessica Catherman Rooks, Chris Kinsella, Karen Maney, Lorraine Maney, Marlene Maney, Debbie Maney, Kathleen Maney, Anna Bresovski (David Lochner’s friend)

 Back Row

Gordy Mills, Rick Lochner, Olivia Rooks, Erik Rooks, Jill Miller Kinsella, Jim Kinsella, Dan Maney (behind Chris Kinsella), Michael Maney, Chuck Lochner, Colleen Maney (behind Debbie Maney), Richard Maney, Dave Lochner



 Dan Kinsella
 Rick Lochner
 Aunt CB

Uncle Jack

 Hanging out by the Lake

Checking out the Taylor Flag

Until next year!