South Yorkshire Times, August 4th 1933
Eightieth Birthday Gathering
Brothers Celebrate At Mexborough
Formula For Longevity
“Behold how good and joyful it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity,” saeth the Psalmist, and a fitting example is given by the four brothers whose photographs are given above. Though living in different places, they meet at least four times a year—on each other’s birthdays.
Their ages total 320 years; they are all widowers and their names, addresses and ages are (left to right) Mr. William Taylor, 22. North Crescent, East Dene, Rotherham: 77. Mr. George Taylor, Danford House, Doncaster Road, Mexborough 80. Mr. Joseph Taylor, 42, Pearson Field, Wombwell: 89. Mr. Edward Taylor, 48, Edward Road, Gainsborough: 74.
They have all retired after making successful careers and though they may each express it differently, all are united in the opinion that long life is due to the avoidance of excess, interest in work, and enthusiasm for all good games. Yesterday was a “red-letter” day in their lives for the Mexborough member, Mr. G. Taylor, was the second to reach 80.
To celebrate it Mr. Taylor organised special services and a tea at the Mexborough Trinity Methodist Church. Born at West Butterwick in Lincolnshire, he received his early education at a church school at a charge of 3d. a week. He started work at the age of ten on a farm and toiled twelve hours each day for 6d. After two and half years he was employed at the Trent Iron Works, Scunthorpe, but at the age of nearly fifteen he was apprenticed to a joiner and wheelwright at Owston Ferry. In 1874, when 21, he obtained employment at Ackworth where he married Miss Augusta Gelder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Gelder, of Dodworth, Barnsley, and be spent ten happy years there. Then came “a blot on my Character,” as Mr. Taylor puts it. He went to Manchester and took a beer house in the slums. “For eighteen months I lived with the devil and did as the devil wanted. I did a bit of gambling.” Yet this “went against the grain” and he came back to Ackworth and his former employment. In 1884 he left for Wombwell, again as a joiner. but four years later he bought a boot and shoe business at 39, High Street, Wombwell, now the premises of the Public Benefit Co. He carried on this business successfully until he retired in 1919.
While at Wombwell Mr. Taylor was elected a member of the Local Board and for seven years was an overseer. In 1897 he came to Mexborough where for four years he carried on a supplementary boot business in High Street Later he entered various phases of public life. In 1923 he was elected as overseer for Mexborough and was chairman of the overseers until their passing four years ago. He was a member of the Mexborough Urban District Council for six years—in two periods between 1921 and 1928; chairman of the Doncaster and Mexborough Isolation Hospital Board for two years, and for four years was chairman of the Mexborough postwar housing scheme. He also served as a member of the Montagu Hospital Committee for several years. His greatest interest, however, has been and is in the Mexborough Wesleyan, now Trinity Methodist Church. During his 38 years’ residence in the town, he has held every available office at the church and is at present a trustee. He was one of the keenest members in the money raising efforts for the building of the present church in 1904 and at that time was treasurer. He is most generous to his “love.” His work and loyalty to the church have been recognised, for prior to coming to Mexborough, Mr. Taylor was an ardent worker at Wombwell Wesleyan Methodist Church. On nine occasions he has represented the Wath Circuit at Sheffield District Synods and in 1920 was the Synod delegate to the Wesleyan Conference. All his life Mr. Taylor has been keenly interested in sport, especially football, both soccer and rugby, cricket—now bowls. He brought a ripe experience to the Mexborough Football Club and for many years was a prominent player of Mexborough Tradesmen’s Cricket Club. In his last match he and the late Walter Bennett, the Sheffield United and international outside-right, shared in an unbroken first-wicket partnership of 65 to give their side victory by ten wickets. He has been to 49 Scarborough Cricket Festivals and has booked for this year’s. Whenever possible he takes a day watching the Yorkshire county side. And for all his years he can give many a young man a keen game at bowls. He is a popular figure on the Mexborough Athletic greens. Like his brothers, his appearance belies his age; he is fit, hearty and wonderfully active.