Mr. M. R. H. Taylor, proprietor of the popular Taylor House near the Little Rock & Fort Smith depot, was born in West Tennessee in 1852. He was the youngest of nine children of Ryley and Mary Ann (Gooch) Taylor of North Carolina. Following his father’s death in 1853, Taylor and his mother moved to Mississippi before eventually settling in Arkansas. Initially a successful farmer, Taylor later established himself as a respected hotel and liverman in Central Arkansas. Married to A. Powers in Tate County, Mississippi, they had five children, four of whom survived: Ryley, Sallie, Anna, and M. R. H., Jr. Taylor was a Democrat, a member of Woodland Lodge No. 11, K. of P., and a Baptist Church member, actively supporting religious and educational causes.
There are very few, if indeed any, of the traveling public in Arkansas, who have not at some time or other enjoyed the hospitality of the popular Taylor House, situated near the Little Rock & Fort Smith depot. Mr. Taylor, the genial proprietor, was born in West Tennessee, in the year 1852, and was the youngest in a family of nine children, born to Ryley and Mary Ann (Gooch) Taylor, of North Carolina. The parents were married in Carroll County, Tenn., where the father was engaged in farming on an extensive scale. The latter died in 1853, but the mother still survives and resides with her son, the subject of this sketch; previous to coming to Arkansas, both mother and son went to Mississippi, where they lived for some time. Mr. Taylor was reared and instructed in the duties of farm life in his youth, and attended school in his native place. His occupation prior to settling in Arkansas was farming, in which he was very successful, and now, as a hotel and liveryman, he has made an enviable reputation throughout Central Arkansas. His prosperity is all due to his own individual effort and enterprise, having started in life with very little, and no man could be more deserving of the popularity and large patronage that he enjoys. He is not an active politician, but votes with the Democratic party. He is a member of Woodland Lodge No. 11, K. of P.
Mr. Taylor was married in Tate County, Miss., to Miss A. Powers, by whom he has had five children, four yet living: Ryley, Sallie, Anna, and M. R. H., Jr., the latter giving evidence of being a “chip o’ the old block.” Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Baptist Church, and take pleasure in assisting all religious and educational enterprises. The former is a watchful observer of events, and has noted the progress of Faulkner County since his residence in that place. He is well respected and universally esteemed.