James Taylor (1840–1924): A Pioneer of Courage and Ingenuity

James Taylor was born on May 10, 1840, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Benjamin and Ann Brown Taylor. His early life was marked by hardship and faith — his family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was a toddler, and when James was only nine years old, his father died, leaving his mother to care for him and his three sisters alone. Despite overwhelming trials, Ann Taylor pressed forward with her family, joining the westward migration of the Saints to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake.

At just twelve years old, young James crossed the plains with the Watson Nixon Company, herding cattle and driving teams to pay his way westward. He traveled barefoot after his shoes wore out, his feet raw and cold on the rugged trail — a testament to his grit and youthful endurance. When he reunited with his mother in Utah, he was ragged and thin but full of the same determination that would define the rest of his life.

James grew into a hardworking, good-humored man. He freighted goods across the frontier by mule, prospected for minerals, and became one of Salt Lake’s first hackmen, driving proud palomino horses with a hack he prized. He married Virginia Pocahontas Wetzel young, but tragically lost her within a year. In 1866, he married Susan Peck, a devoted pioneer woman, and together they settled on a farm in Granger, Utah.

While James often worked away from home, Susan managed the farm and raised their growing family under challenging pioneer conditions. They faced threats from local Native Americans, to whom Susan bravely stood her ground when they came begging for food or milk. Together, James and Susan built a family of eight children — three sons and five daughters — and extended their home as their family grew, adding rooms onto their humble adobe house near the Jordan River bottoms.

James was always searching for ways to better provide for his family — operating a weighing station, serving as the first road supervisor in the territory, and laboring to improve the community’s roads. Despite limited means, the Taylors’ faith never wavered. James and Susan often shared their testimony of the gospel with their children and neighbors, always crediting the Lord for sustaining them through trials and hardships.

James Taylor’s life story is one of grit, humor, devotion, and deep faith. He lived to be 84, passing away in the home he built and filled with family and love — a legacy of perseverance and sacrifice. Susan survived him by nearly a decade, living on in the family home until she, too, was called home at 85.

Together, James and Susan left a lasting mark on the early Granger community and a posterity that honors their pioneer courage to this day.

Born 10 May 1840 in Paterson, New Jersey, to Benjamin and Ann Brown Taylor.
His father died when James was nine years old, leaving Ann alone with four small children.
Joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age two with his family.
Crossed the plains at age 12 in the Watson Nixon Company, herded cattle, drove teams, and went barefoot when his shoes wore out.
Reunited with his mother and sisters in the Salt Lake Valley after enduring harsh pioneer conditions.
His mother remarried Daniel Hutchinson Keeler; the family settled in Salt Lake, then Provo.
Married twice: first to Virginia Pocahontas Wetzel (who died young), then to Susan Peck in 1866.
Early work included freighting from Wyoming and Nevada to Salt Lake and prospecting for minerals.
Was one of Salt Lake’s first hackmen, proud owner of palomino horses and a hack.
Settled in Granger, Utah, where he farmed and helped develop the area.
Served as the first road supervisor in the territory — unpaid but dedicated.
Raised eight children with Susan Peck; also helped raise grandchildren and supported extended family.
His wife Susan ran the farm alone for long stretches while James worked away from home.
Endured threats from local Native Americans, relying on faith and courage to protect his family.
Lived out his final years in the same simple adobe home he built for his bride, passing away at age 84.
Remembered for his humor, his pioneering grit, his unwavering faith, and his commitment to community and family

James Taylor: Barefoot Pioneer, Granger Founder