Susan Victoria Taylor: A Daughter’s Burden and Legacy

Susan Victoria Taylor was born on April 1, 1900, in Granger, Utah, the eldest daughter of James Horton Taylor and Clara Clarke Taylor. She was named Susan after her strong pioneer grandmother, Susan Peck Taylor, and Victoria for her mother’s only sister, Victoria Clarke Lucas.

Susan grew up on her family’s small farm just west of the Jordan River ( 1199 W 3300 So) . Life for small farmers in Granger at the turn of the century was simple but demanding. Money was scarce, and Clara, her mother, stretched every resource to care for her growing family. Clothing was often made from flour sacks—Susan remembered wearing flour-sack underwear stamped with the word “Hustler”—and calico and gingham bought by the bolt ensured that the children’s dresses and shirts matched.

Susan and her siblings attended Plymouth Elementary School. Each morning, they would walk half a mile up the hill, then ride a “school wagon” pulled by two old horses along Redwood Road for nearly three miles, enduring cold winter winds and choking summer dust. At home, Susan helped with farm chores and watched over her younger brothers and sisters. On one summer afternoon, her quick actions saved her little sister Rose, who had fallen into the canal and was being carried away by the current.

Amid the work, there were small joys. Susan once gathered mushrooms to earn enough to buy material for her first silk dress—a salmon pink dress sewn by her mother for a school “Field Day.” She walked the three miles to the event alone, proud in her new dress despite her tired feet.

In 1915, when Susan was fourteen, the family sold their Granger home and moved to Naf, Idaho, where her father had purchased 150 acres of farmland. The journey north was harsh. After a train ride to Kelton, Utah, the children rode forty cold miles atop a wagon piled with their belongings. They arrived late at night, cold, hungry, and frostbitten. Clara stayed behind in Salt Lake City to give birth to her twelfth child, Lawrence, in March 1915.

Days after she joined the family in Idaho with the new baby, Clara’s health began to fail. At the same time, James was called back to Salt Lake to testify in court. When Clara worsened, the judge released James to return home immediately. He arrived on May 5th, but Clara passed away the following morning, on May 6, 1915.

At just fifteen, Susan Victoria became the caretaker for her ten younger brothers and sisters, including baby Lawrence, only seven weeks old. With the help of her sister Irene, then thirteen, Susan managed the cooking, washing, and heavy housework in a crude log cabin without running water. Even water had to be hauled from two blocks away.

When the Idaho farm failed, the family returned to Salt Lake City that fall. Their journey home was as difficult as their move north had been. Arriving at the train station late at night, Susan carried the baby and luggage while gathering her weary siblings—an image that would stay with her all her life.

Back in Granger, the Taylor family lived for three months in the small home of Susan’s grandparents, James and Susan Peck Taylor, while James Horton Taylor built a new house nearby. During this time, Susan Victoria leaned heavily on her grandmother for guidance and support. Her grandmother’s strength and example helped her navigate the years of hardship that followed her mother’s death.

Susan Victoria Taylor’s youth was marked by early responsibility, sacrifice, and the resilience that so many pioneer daughters had to summon when family tragedy struck. She would always remember the heavy burden she carried—and the unwavering support of her grandmother, whose legacy of faith and strength she passed on to her own children

Born April 1, 1900, in Granger, Utah, to James Horton Taylor and Clara Clarke Taylor.
Named after her pioneer grandmother, Susan Peck Taylor, and her mother’s sister, Victoria Clarke Lucas.
Grew up on a small farm west of the Jordan River in Granger.
Helped her mother care for her large family, wearing handmade clothes often sewn from flour sacks and gingham bought by the bolt.
Walked half a mile, then rode a horse-drawn school wagon daily to Plymouth Elementary School on Redwood Road.
Saved her younger sister Rose from drowning in the canal—an early sign of her protective and responsible nature.
Bought fabric for her first silk dress by gathering mushrooms and proudly wore it to “Field Day” at the park.
In 1915, moved with her family to a 150-acre farm in Naf, Idaho. Endured a harsh journey by train and wagon in freezing weather.
Her mother, Clara, died shortly after giving birth to her twelfth child when Susan was just 15, leaving Susan and her sister Irene to care for 10 younger siblings in a rough log cabin with no running water.
The Idaho farm failed, and the family returned to Salt Lake City that fall, enduring another difficult trip home.
Lived with her grandparents James and Susan Peck Taylor in Granger while her father built a new family home nearby.
Leaned on her grandmother’s faith and example during the hard years after her mother’s death.
Later married Williey Larsen and moved to Salt Lake City to build her own family and home.
Remembered for her resilience, devotion to family, and the same pioneer strength passed down from her mother and grandmother.

Susan Victoria Taylor: A Young Pioneer’s Quiet Courage