Robert "Bob" Benjamine Taylor

Robert Taylor, Long Time Resident Of Niobrara County Dies Saturday

Robert Taylor, 74, resident of Niobrara County since 1909, died Saturday morning about 10:00 at his home apparently of a heart attack. He had not felt well and had stayed home in bed rather than going to work.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the Peet Chapel with the Rev. James Davis, minister of the Congregational Church, officiating. Masonic rites were conducted by Past Master C. E. Marvin for Harmony Lodge. Burial was at the Lusk Cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion.

Pall bearers were R. C. Bafford, Frank Christian, Edward Plumb, A. B. DeCastro, Tom Fagan and Claude Redding. Honorary pall bearers were C. J. Stafford, Nick Kaan, Glen Riley, C. C. Browning, W. H. Smythe, Al Rundquist, Hans Gautschi, C. W. Irwin, George Earl Peet, K. Dean Butler, Andy Christian, Earl Criss, Babe Schnorenberg, N. E. Hartwell, R. I. Olinger, H. O. Emry, C. E. Marvin, Del Jackson, Harry Fernau Sr., Allen Clark, Dudley Fields, Arthur Thompson, Cy Bonner, and James Russell.

Mrs. J. P. Watson was organist and Dr. Richard Collins and Harry Lyon sang "Just As I Am" and "Crossing the Bar".

Robert Benjamine Taylor, one of a family of nine children, was born to William B. and Lydia Baeder Taylor December 4, 1890, at the family ranch home near Virgil, S. Dak.

As a youth he had a zest for excitement and adventure, and shortly after completing his schooling at Virgil and Fort Pierre, S. Dak., he came to Wyoming arriving in Lusk July 4, 1909. Here he worked breaking wild horses as well as filing on a homestead in the Hat Creek vicinity. He hired out as a hand on numerous cattle drives that began in Texas and ended in Montana.

"Bob," as he was familiarly known throughout his life by his many friends was among those serving with Company F, Second Separate Battalion of the Wyoming Infantry under General Pershing in the United State's pursuit of Poncha Villa. He enlisted June 23, 1916 at Douglas, Wyo., in World War I, and was sent overseas to Germany where his experiences were many and harrowing. He spoke German fluently and was retained overseas after the armistice to serve as an interpreter for the American troops. Following his discharge from service he returned to Wyoming to develop and prove-up on his homestead.

He became affiliated with Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 24, A.F. & A.M. of Lusk, and on March 27, 1922 at Rawlins, Wyo., was inducted into the Korein Shrine. He was also a member of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion of Lusk and the First Congregational Church.

He was married to Agnes Maria (Marie) Carlson on June 24, 1924 at Elgin, Nebr. The couple returned to Lusk where they established their home. Mr. Taylor was employed by the Wyoming Highway Department for many years, leaving its employ to become engaged as a mechanic in the Hiway Garage. Later he was employed by the late Hugo F. Payne who was the owner and operator of the Cowboy Bar. At the time the business was sold he continued in the employment of its new owners, Nick T. Kaan Sr., and Claude Redding. At the time of his death he was employed by Edward Plumb at the Sportsman's Club of Lusk.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes, his parents, one brother, Lee, and two grandsons, David Lee and Thomas Lance Sorenson. Survivors include his four daughters, Mrs. Walter C. (Patricia Ann) Zerwer of Grants Pass, Ore., Neoma Jean Taylor of Lusk, Mrs. Everett (Barbara Joy) Sorenson of Prineville, Ore., Mrs. William (Ruth Genevieve) Hibbard of Sundance; six grandsons and five granddaughters; three sisters, Mrs. Asa McFarling, Woolsey, S. Dak., Mrs. Howard Eikenberry of Lusk, and Mrs. Loretta Schipporeit of Casper, and four brothers, Don C. Taylor, Lusk, S. H. Taylor, Virgil, S. Dak., Cooley N. Taylor, Sheridan and Martin Taylor of Seattle, Wash.

Relatives Here for Bob Taylor Services

Mrs. Walter Zerwer of Grants Pass, Ore., Mrs. Everette Sorenson and son of Prineville, Ore., Mr. and Mrs. William Hibbard and family of Sundance and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lee of Casper attended the funeral of Robert Taylor and were over-night guests in the home of Miss Neoma Taylor.

S. H. Taylor of Virgil, S. Dak., Mrs. C. A. McFarling of Woolsey, S. Dak., Martin Taylor of Seattle, Wash, and Mrs. Loretta Schipporeit of Casper attended the funeral of their brother, Robert Taylor and were guests for several days in the Don C. Taylor home.

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