Dublin Core
Title
Elmer and Dorothy Taylor Oral History Interview
Description
Elmer Taylor begins the interview by discussing his upbringing on a farm in rural Oregon during the Great Depression. He reminisces about his experience attending a one-room schoolhouse in Harris, Oregon, and talks about his grandfather's role in establishing the school. He also talks about his university education, and notes that he attended Oregon State College, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Agricultural Engineering.
Dorothy Taylor then introduces herself and says that she was born in China to missionary parents. She talks about her memories growing up in China and being evacuated to India during World War II, before eventually returning to the United States. Dorothy also discusses her family and siblings, as well as her parents' strict parenting style and their faith, and notes that she was enrolled in a Bible Institute in Portland.
Elmer then discusses the transition from his involvement in the post office, where he began working after high school, to pursuing a seminary education and the ministry. He recounts attending a meeting where a missionary leader's message led him to consider this change in his life, which ultimately resulted in his attending the School of Bible in Portland, in 1952, and eventually on to seminary to deepen his understanding of the Bible.
From there, Dorothy talks about the couple’s experiences during this period; raising their children; and moving to Texas after their children went there for school. Next, Elmer shares a historical account of the Harris family's arrival in Corvallis and their involvement in the timber industry. He talks about George Henry Harris' dealings in the timber business, including his ownership of a sawmill. He also mentions his family’s acquisition of a piece of land in the Coast Range Mountains from T.J. Starker, which became the basis for their timber production activities.
The conversation concludes with both Dorothy and Elmer sharing personal anecdotes about the development of the logging industry over the course of their lifetimes, its impact on railroad development, and how it has shaped aspects of their relationship with nature and their community.
Elmer Taylor was born in Corvallis in 1929, and grew up on his family’s farm in the Marys River Valley. He graduated from Harris Normal School in 1942 and from Oregon State College’s Business and Technology program in 1950. He later became postmaster of Philomath before shifting to a career in the ministry and, later, the timber industry. He married Dorothy Taylor in 1955 after meeting her at a Bible Institute in Portland.
Dorothy Taylor then introduces herself and says that she was born in China to missionary parents. She talks about her memories growing up in China and being evacuated to India during World War II, before eventually returning to the United States. Dorothy also discusses her family and siblings, as well as her parents' strict parenting style and their faith, and notes that she was enrolled in a Bible Institute in Portland.
Elmer then discusses the transition from his involvement in the post office, where he began working after high school, to pursuing a seminary education and the ministry. He recounts attending a meeting where a missionary leader's message led him to consider this change in his life, which ultimately resulted in his attending the School of Bible in Portland, in 1952, and eventually on to seminary to deepen his understanding of the Bible.
From there, Dorothy talks about the couple’s experiences during this period; raising their children; and moving to Texas after their children went there for school. Next, Elmer shares a historical account of the Harris family's arrival in Corvallis and their involvement in the timber industry. He talks about George Henry Harris' dealings in the timber business, including his ownership of a sawmill. He also mentions his family’s acquisition of a piece of land in the Coast Range Mountains from T.J. Starker, which became the basis for their timber production activities.
The conversation concludes with both Dorothy and Elmer sharing personal anecdotes about the development of the logging industry over the course of their lifetimes, its impact on railroad development, and how it has shaped aspects of their relationship with nature and their community.
Elmer Taylor was born in Corvallis in 1929, and grew up on his family’s farm in the Marys River Valley. He graduated from Harris Normal School in 1942 and from Oregon State College’s Business and Technology program in 1950. He later became postmaster of Philomath before shifting to a career in the ministry and, later, the timber industry. He married Dorothy Taylor in 1955 after meeting her at a Bible Institute in Portland.
Creator
Elmer and Dorothy Taylor
Source
Starker Forests Community Oral History Collection (OH 038)
Publisher
Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries
Date
January 11, 2008
Contributor
Gary Blanchard
Format
Born Digital Video
Language
English
Type
Oral History
Identifier
oh38-taylor-elmer-and-dorothy-20080111
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Interviewer
Gary Blanchard
Interviewee
Elmer and Dorothy Taylor
Location
Taylor residence, Philomath [?], Oregon
Original Format
Born Digital Video
Duration
1:23:39
OHMS Object
Interview Format
video