John Fenton Taylor was a representative of Standard Furniture Company Limited. He lived at 1934 Barclay Street in 1906.
Early Life
John Fenton Taylor was born in Penrith, Cumberland, England on January 1, 1860. His parents were John and Mary Ann Taylor.
According to the 1901 Canada census, John arrived in Canada about 1883.
Marriage to Sarah Lewis
On January 1, 1902, in Victoria, British Columbia, John married Sarah Ellen Lewis. (The official marriage registration gave the year as 1901, but it appears that the correct year was 1902.)
Sarah was born in July 9, 1878 in Comox, British Columbia. Her parents were William Lewis (1832-1916) and Margaret Griffiths (1843-1931). The Lewises were pioneer farmers in the Courtenay-Comox region.
In Vancouver
John first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1905. He was rooming at the Commercial Hotel, which was on Cambie Street near the corner of Hastings Street. He was working for Standard Furniture Company Limited.
In 1905, Standard Furniture became the successor to Shelton and Company. Arthur Edwin Shelton (who had been the mayor of Calgary, Alberta in 1888-1889) became a partner in Standard Furniture.
John Taylor lived at the following addresses in Vancouver.
| 1905 | Commercial Hotel (Cambie Street and Hastings Street) (rooming) |
| 1906 | 1934 Barclay Street |
| 1907 | 1300 West Ninth Avenue |
| 1908 | 2320 Ash Street |
| 1909 and 1910 | Victoria House (514 Homer Street) |
| 1911 and 1912 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1913 | 514 Homer Street |
| 1914 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1915 | 514 Homer Street |
| 1916 to 1920 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1921 and 1922 | 514 Homer Street (sometimes “Fenton J. Taylor”) |
| 1923 to 1927 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1928 | 936 Granville Street |
| 1929 and 1930 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1930 | 1075 Denman Street (death certificate) |
The Standard Furniture Company Limited sold a wide variety of furniture in Vancouver.
It appears that John’s wife, Sarah, was sometimes in Vancouver with him. Sarah was in poor health much of the time with phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis).
In 1907, while John was living at 1300 West Ninth Avenue, he advertised for a housekeeper and cook.
A similar advertisement appeared in the Victoria newspapers in 1910.
Sarah died in Victoria on September 8, 1910. She was buried in Sandwick Cemetery in Courtenay, British Columbia.
John later lived in Vancouver. The directories often did not list an occupation for him, but he may have worked as a merchant for some of the time.
He died in Vancouver on October 11, 1930. He was buried in Sandwick Cemetery in Courtenay, British Columbia.
He had no will, and it appeared that he had no heirs, so the provincial official administrator looked after his estate.
Andrew B. Ainslie was a commercial traveller who represented furniture makers. He sued John Taylor’s estate for $6125. The estate administrator settled Mr. Ainslie’s claim for $500.
![Return of Moneys received and paid by the Official Administrators of the Province as required by section 53 of the Administration Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1924, British Columbia minister of finance, 1933, page U 85; https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcsessional/items/1.0308231#p84z-2r0f: [expenses: $757.11; income: $875.00; net income: $117.89].](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/John-Fenton-Taylor-Return-of-Moneys-received-and-paid-by-the-Official-Administrator.jpg)
Mary Ann Fenton Taylor
Mary Ann Fenton Taylor was born in Victoria, British Columbia on June 29, 1903.
She was a student at St. Ann’s Academy in Victoria.
She died in Victoria on March 14, 1922. She was buried in Courtney, British Columbia.
Sources
John Fenton-Taylor
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NCJ-MRN : 1 October 2014), John Fenton Taylor, 1860; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Penrith, Cumberland, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXQC-XZN : 10 February 2018, John Fenton Taylor, ); citing item 8 p 152, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,472,283.
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NC1-KNN : 1 October 2014), John Taylor, 1860; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Penrith, Cumberland, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V557-RTR : 8 December 2017), John Taylor in entry for Joseph Taylor, 1871.
B.C. Voters List 1898 – Ta to Th; http://sites.rootsweb.com/~canbc/vote1898/votet.htm: Taylor, John Fenton, Wilson Hotel, Yates St, Salesman, VicC.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHV2-MXK : 18 March 2018), John F Taylor, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 2, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8C-7JM : 11 March 2018), John Fenton Taylor and Sarah Ellen Lewis, 01 Jan 1901 [sic]; citing , British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11368, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,525. [Note: other sources give marriage date as January 1, 1902. This marriage was registered on January 4, 1902. It appears that the correct date of the marriage was January 1, 1902.]
1921 Canada Census, John Taylor in household of Frank Jinks [indexed as Frank Jervis]; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 2, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 6; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL2D-D68 : 8 November 2017), John Fenton Taylor, 1930.
John Fenton Taylor, death notice, Vancouver Province, October 13, 1930, page 13; Vancouver Province, October 14, 1930, page 17: “Taylor—Passed away at his residence, 1075 Denman S., Oct. 12, 1930, John Fenton Taylor, aged 67 years. Mr. Taylor had resided in Vancouver for over 40 years. Funeral services will be held in Center & Hanna’s chapel, Tuesday evening, Oct. 14, at 8 o’clock, Rev. C.C. Owen officiating. Interment Courtenay, B.C.”
“John F. Taylor, Resident Here 40 Years, Is Dead,” Vancouver Province, October 14, 1930, page 26, column 1: “A brief funeral service for John Fenton Taylor, aged 67, a resident of Vancouver for forty years, who died Sunday at his home 1075 Denman street, will be held this evening at 8 p.m. in Center & Hanna’s chapel. Rev. C.C. Owen will officiate. The remains will be forwarded Wednesday morning to Courtenay for burial.”
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29R-V71W : 15 March 2016), John Fenton Taylor, 1930; Burial, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Sandwick Cemetery; citing record ID 151683874, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151683874: “John Fenton-Taylor; Birth: 1 Jan 1860, England; Death: 11 Oct 1930 (aged 70), Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Sandwick Cemetery, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: L-28; Memorial ID: 151683874.”
William Lewis (father of Sarah Ellen Lewis)
“Canada Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV63-C45 : 11 March 2018), William Lewis, Comox & Alberni, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 8; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13285, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,921.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWK3-ZN5 : 3 August 2016), William Lewis, Comox and Nelson, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVV-GCM : 18 March 2018), William Lewis, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 1, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLLX-DPL : 8 November 2017), William Lewis, 1916.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29R-VSZG : 15 March 2016), William Lewis, 1916; Burial, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Sandwick Cemetery; citing record ID 151684498, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151684498: “William Lewis; Birth: 25 Dec 1832, Wales; Death: 4 Jan 1916 (aged 83), Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Sandwick Cemetery, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: L-31; Memorial ID: 151684498.”
Margaret Griffiths (mother of Sarah Ellen Lewis)
“Canada Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV63-C4R : 11 March 2018), Margeret Lewis, Comox & Alberni, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 8; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13285, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,921.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWK3-ZNR : 3 August 2016), Margaret Griffiths, Comox and Nelson, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVV-GC9 : 18 March 2018), Margaret Lewis, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 1, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGY-PQH : 8 November 2017), Margaret Lewis, 1931.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK1J-P78T : 15 December 2015), Margaret Lewis, 1931; Burial, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Sandwick Cemetery; citing record ID 145915746, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145915746/margaret-lewis: “Margaret Lewis; Birth: unknown; Death: 2 Mar 1931, Comox, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Sandwick Cemetery, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: B-20; Memorial ID: 145915746.”
Sarah Ellen Lewis (wife of John Fenton Taylor)
“Canada Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV63-C4T : 11 March 2018), Sarah Ellen Lewis, Comox & Alberni, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 8; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13285, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,921.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWK3-ZNT : 3 August 2016), Sarah Hellen Lewis, Comox and Nelson, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVV-GCS : 18 March 2018), Sarah E Lewis in household of Margaret Lewis, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 1, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8C-7NY : 11 March 2018), John Fenton Taylor and Sarah Ellen Lewis, 01 Jan 1901; citing , British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11368, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,525.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL27-5X4 : 8 November 2017), Sarah Ellen Taylor, 1910.
“British Columbia, Victoria Times Birth, Marriage and Death Notices, 1901-1939,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2DS-3GV2 : 15 March 2018), Sarah Ellen Taylor, Death 07 Sep 1910, Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada; from Victoria Daily Times news clippings, City of Victoria Archives, British Columbia, Canada; citing Victoria Daily Times, 08 Sep 1910; FHL microfilm 2,218,777.
Sarah Ellen Taylor, death notice, Victoria Daily Colonist, September 10, 1910, page 7, column 6; https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist53237uvic#page/n6/mode/1up: “Taylor. The remains of the late Mrs. Sarah Ellen Taylor, who passed away on Wednesday evening, in this city, will be forwarded this morning by the B.C. Funeral Furnishing company to Courtney [sic] via Nanaimo. Interment will be made in the cemetery at Courtney.”
Sarah Ellen Taylor, death notice, Victoria Daily Colonist, September 10, 1910, page 17, column 3; https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist53237uvic#page/n16/mode/1up: “Taylor—On September 7th, 1910, at the residence, 2976 Quadra street, Sarah Ellen, beloved wife of Mr. J. F. Taylor, aged 32 years, a native of Courteney [sic], B.C. The remains will be forded Saturday morning to Courteney, B.C., where they will be interred.
Sarah Ellen Taylor, death notice, Victoria Daily Colonist, September 11, 1910, page 7, column 3; https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist53238uvic#page/n6/mode/1up: “Taylor. The remains of the late Mrs. Sarah Ellen Taylor, the beloved wife of J.F. Taylor, 2956 Quadra street, were forwarded yesterday morning to Courtney, B.C., via Nanaimo, by the B.C. Funeral Furnishing Company. Interment will take place at Courtney today. The casket was covered with many beautiful floral offerings, which were presented by sympathizing friends.”
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29R-VW3H : 15 March 2016), Sarah Ellen Taylor, 1910; Burial, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Sandwick Cemetery; citing record ID 151683769, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151683769: Sarah Ellen Lewis Fenton-Taylor; Birth: 7 Jun 1878; Death: 7 Sep 1910 (aged 32); Victoria, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Sandwick Cemetery, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: L-30; Memorial ID: 151683769.”
Mary Ann Fenton Taylor (daughter of John Fenton Taylor)
British Columbia Birth Registrations; Registration Number: 1903-09-013568; Mary Ann Fenton Taylor; BC Archives Microfilm Number: B13819; GSU Microfilm Number: 2134889; date of birth: June 29, 1903; place of birth: Victoria.
Comox Valley Anglican Baptisms, 1881-1992, Comox Valley Genealogy Group; http://cvgenealogygroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CV-ANGLICAN-BAPTISMS-1881-1992.pdf: Child: Mary Ann Taylor; father: John Fenton Taylor; mother: Sarah Taylor; father’s occupation: Tradesman; abode: Victoria, BC; date of baptism: October 11, 1903; sponsor 1: S.F. Dobson; sponsor 2: Ada Anna Dobson; minister: Rev. J.X. Willemar; source: St. Andrew’s Anglican Ch. Records, Sandwick, BC, – Book 1
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLGG-QFD : 8 November 2017), Mary Ann Fenton Taylor, 1922.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29R-VWM2 : 15 March 2016), Mary Ann Fenton Taylor, 1922; Burial, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Sandwick Cemetery; citing record ID 151684185, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151684185: “Mary Ann Fenton-Taylor; Birth: 29 Jun 1903, Victoria, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Death: 14 Mar 1922 (aged 18), Victoria, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Sandwick Cemetery, Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: L-29; Memorial ID: 151684185.”
Commercial Hotel
Changing Vancouver, Commercial Hotel – 340 Cambie Street; https://changingvancouver.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/340-cambie-street/.
Commercial Hotel; 340 Cambie Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B, Canada; https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=10663. [Other names: 340 Cambie Street, Stadium Inn, El Cid Hotel].
Pub 340; http://pub340.ca/about/history/ [includes history and photographs of Commercial Hotel].
Arthur Edwin Shelton (Shelton and Company)
Arthur Edwin Shelton, Wikipedia article, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Edwin_Shelton: “Arthur Edwin Shelton (August 15, 1853 – February 1, 1937) was the third mayor of the town of Calgary, Alberta.”
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVN-PW6 : 18 March 2018), Arthur E Shelton in household of Cora Watson, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 19, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL2V-L5V : 8 November 2017), Arthur Edwin Shelton, 1937.
Standard Furniture Company Limited
Changing Vancouver, Granville Street – 1000 Block (2); https://changingvancouver.wordpress.com/tag/standard-furniture-co/.
Andrew B. Ainslie (commercial traveller)
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLR1-TPF : 8 November 2017), Andrew B Ainslie, 1960; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/9c865e5f-6235-4f08-91ed-b77a19239af5.
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