Obituaries Australia

John Taylor, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 June 1919

The news of the death of Mr. John Taylor, of Winton, Tasmania, will be received with very genuine regret by sheepmen throughout the Commonwealth and South Africa. More especially will the loss be felt in Tasmania, where the late Mr. Taylor had impressed his lovable and sterling personality upon a very wide circle.

The Winton flock of stud Merino sheep was a tribute to the genius of Mr. Taylor as a breeder. Right up to the last he took a keen personal interest in the stud, and the Winton sheep were widely known for all the very best qualities which characterise the Tasmanian stud Merino. Constitution and quality were the watchwords of the Winton stud master, and anyone who has handled many Winton stud rams will remember the beautiful fleeces—the pure noses, the splendid horns and other features which spell the word quality.

Mr. Taylor achieved great success as a breeder, and the public always displayed a great interest in the Winton sheep offered annually at the Sydney and Melbourne sales. It is hardly necessary to remind our readers of the successes of the Winton stud; the names of such rams as Primus and Magician recall a very long list of great sheep bred by Mr. Taylor. Most tempting offers did not induce Mr. Taylor to sell Primus; he was one of the finest sires Tasmania has produced, and Magician deserves to rank with them. He was sold in Sydney in 1899 for 540 guineas. While at Winton he got Magician II., which brought 600 guineas in Sydney three years ago. Another famous Winton ram was Pioneer, which Messrs. McMaster Bros., of Rockgedgiel, N.S.W., bought for 900 guineas. Tertius, another Winton ram, was sold in Sydney in 1902 for 460 guineas, and the same year another Winton ram—Baronet—made 600 guineas in Melbourne, and the year after his son made 400 guineas. Coming to later years, there were Magician II., 600 guineas, at Sydney, 1904; Alliance, 390 guineas, at Sydney, 1905; and Aladdin, 510 guineas, the same year at Melbourne. Mr. John Taylor sold Magician V. to Mr. F. Southey, of South Africa, and it is probable that no other stud ram imported into that country has created such a splendid record in the way of high-class progeny.

Mr. John Taylor, who was 73 years of age when he died, was the son of the late Mr. David Taylor, of St. Johnstone, Campbell Town, Tasmania. Although by the sales of his stud sheep his interests penetrated all the States of the Commonwealth, he very rarely left his lovely home. Nevertheless he was a deep reader, and kept himself well abreast of events. He was a pillar of strength to the old historical Campbell Town Show in all its vicissitudes, and was a constant exhibitor, winning championship honours on several occasions. One by one the men who built up famous stud flocks are passing away, and their going throws no small responsibility upon those who succeed them.