(Grandpa Taylor's paternal Great-grandfather, my 3rd great)
Norman was born on September 15, 1828 in Grafton, Ohio. His family converted to Mormonism when he was 11, and he was baptized in Nauvoo at the age of 15. When it came time for the Saints to find a new home in the West after much persecution, 18 year old Norman was chosen to accompany the first company across the plains, led by Brigham Young, because of his skill as a wheelwright. So on July 22, 1847, he drove the second team into the Salt Lake valley- then returned to Winter Quarters 4 weeks later with Brigham Young to help lead more Saints across the plains. While in Winter Quarters he married Lurana Forbush. 2 years later he married her sister, Lydia, as a second wife- they were married by President Brigham Young and Lydia is my 3rd great- grandmother.
In the early 1850's, Norman moved to the San Bernadino valley with apostle Amasa Lyman to help colonize- but returned to Utah when Johnston's army was on its way and settled in Santaquin in 1859, becoming its first Justice of the peace. He then moved to Moab where he built the first ferry boat across the Grand (Colorado) River and opened the first store in Moab. In 1899 he took a journey to deliver some cattle to Chicago and came down with typhoid fever. He died in Salt Lake City on November 25, 1899. He was buried in Moab.
Norman was never interested in holding church offices or preaching, but he made hard moves at the request of church leaders and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help. He was very active even into his old age, and would drive the Grand County's float in the Jubilee parade at 70 years old. He raised a large family with many of his children becoming prominent in civic, church, and business affairs. Lydia and Norman had 8 children together, and their oldest child- Ernest Leander Taylor - is my great-great grandfather.
-Taken from his life story on Family Search.
Excerpt from his Obituary:
A Pioneer Passes Away. Death of Norman Taylor ============================ The news of the death of Mr. Norman Taylor of this place, who died at Salt Lake City last Saturday cast a gloom over this valley in which he has taken such a prominent part for so many years. When he left here some weeks ago on a business trip to eastern cities he appeared in unusually good health. He returned in company with his sons but continued on to Salt Lake from Thompson to visit his wife who had been at Salt Lake City under medical treatment for sometime and regarding whose health he had showed much anxiety. It was there where he was taken with his fatal illness. The remains reached Moab on Monday accompanied by his wife, and sons who were at his death bed.
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