The Taylor family has at least nineteen ancestors who were Oregon pioneers and who crossed the plains in covered wagons before 1853. All were of the Christian faith and sought freedom of worship and a land to develop and govern.

“Since I,” wrote Howard B. Taylor, “am of the last generation old enough to remember these people, I hereby testify to their integrity and purpose. They were steel hard, blade straight, and bound by faith and love. They lived in peace with their neighbors – the Indians and settlers alike. This memorial demonstrates the pioneering spirit.”

In 1852, the Hazeltown wagon train left Missouri for the Oregon Territory.

Among five families heading west for new opportunities was Henry W. Taylor, his wife, and nine children.

They took their place in history by joining in the manifest destiny that brought many settlers across the hot and dusty prairies to work and live on their own land in Oregon.

Joseph Taylor was the eldest son of Henry W. Taylor. He was 21 years old when he traveled with his parents to Oregon. He settled down and built a homestead in Cottage Grove. Joseph Taylor is the grandfather of Howard B. Taylor.

Throughout the years, the Taylor family managed to preserve a few of the items that came over with their ancestors on the wagon train. Items like cooking pans, small rawhide bottom chairs, and some tools. Also, there is the original deed to the homestead property in Cottage Grove, signed by Andrew Johnson.

Although the Taylor homestead no longer exists (the land is at the bottom of what is now Cottage Grove Lake), the Taylors were able to keep and maintain some family antiques. A pump organ was purchased by three Taylor sisters in 1900, and after many years entertaining people in and around Cottage Grove, the organ came to the studios.