Dr. John Martin Taylor
1868-1936

Source: Centennial History of Arkansas Vol 2&3 1922 Dr. John Martin Taylor of Fort Smith, whose standing among his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession is indicated in the fact that he has been chosen to the presidency of the Sebastian County Medical Society, being the incumbent in the office at the present writing in 1921, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1868, and is a son of David W. and Cyrene (Coddington) Taylor. The latter had two brothers who laid down their lives on the altar of their country in the Civil war. while another lost his arm through wounds sustained in one of the engagements. David W. Taylor was a merchant and farmer who left Columbus, Ohio, when his son, Dr. Taylor, was but a small child and removed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The latter obtained his early education in that place and also continued his studies at Neligh, Nebraska, and in Gates College at that place. Later he entered the University Medical College at Kansas City, Missouri, and was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1898. For a year thereafter he engaged in practice in Kansas City and then sought the opportunities offered in the growing town of Howe, Oklahoma, where he continued for two years. He afterward spent three years in practice in Benton county, Arkansas. and in the spring of 1904 came to Fort Smith, where he has remained through the intervening period of seventeen years. For about ten years following his graduation he devoted his attention to the general practice of medicine and surgery but since 1908 has limited his practice to surgery. He holds to the highest standards and ethics of the profession and enjoys in unusual degree the respect and confidence of his contemporaries and colleagues. This is evidenced in his election to the presidency of the Sebastian County Medical Society in December, 1920. He also belongs to the Arkansas State Medical Association, to the Tenth Councilor District Medical Association and to the Medical Association of the Southwest, while his interest in the welfare and progress of the community at large is manifest in his connection with the Business Men's Club. Dr. Taylor was married in 1915 to Miss Emma Reising. a daughter of Fred Reising of Fort Smith. Dr. Taylor has seven children, the first five born of a previous marriage. The children are: John Maurice, who was in a training camp during the World war, being stationed at Ludlow and Camp Pike; Margaret, the wife of Robert Paine of Fort Smith; Harold; Richard; Lorita; Helen; and David Warren. The members of the family are widely and favorably known in the city where they reside, the hospitality of many of its best homes being freely accorded them. Stimulated by the laudable ambition to make his service of the greatest possible benefit to mankind, Dr. Taylor has steadily progressed in his profession and in the field of surgery has developed notable skill and ability, performing most successfully a great percentage of the major operations which are entrusted to his care. (note 2020, Dr Martin's previous marriage was to Sarah Mabel Deal Jan 28, 1894. She had his first 5 children. The second marriage to Emma had 2 children.