Vincent Harry Taylor was born March 18, 1917, son of Harry
K Taylor (1887-1962) and Emma Reinke (1889-1979) on the family farm south of
Clearwater. He grew up on the farm
with his three brothers: Raymone,
Chester, and Russell and his two sisters, Winifred and Maxine. He attended grade school in District #70
and graduated from the 10th grade at Park Center School west of
Elgin. Vincent went to Ashland,
Oregon in 1938 and worked until he enlisted in the Army Air Force in
1942. He was transferred to the
Medical Detachment 290th Infantry. He saw action in Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe and the
Central Pacific. He was awarded the
Bronze Star. He was honorably
discharged on October 14, 1945 and returned to his parents’ farm near Clearwater. Vincent married Geraldine Eloise Johnson,
daughter of Arthur L Johnson (1889-1954) and Leona Amanda Herley
(1896-1981). Geraldine was born
September 23, 1922 at her parents’ farm northwest of Elgin. She grew up with her brother, Delno Herley
Johnson (1918-1965) She attended
grade school in District # 100 and graduated from Clearwater High School in
1940. She attended Wayne State
College and taught in rural schools for five years. Vincent and Geraldine were the parents of three daughters, Vickie
Lynn, Sally Sue and Gwen Renee. Vincent was forced to give up farming in 1959 due a serious car
accident suffered in 1952. The family
moved to Elgin and Geraldine started teaching again. Vincent passed away on March 2, 1962. Geraldine continued to teach for seven
more years and is now retired.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in Dec 2007