BIOGRAPHY

Taylor was born in Highland Township, Oakland County, Michigan, USA, on 16 December 1849, to parents Francis Beaumont (1810–1891) and Maria Roseboone (1814–1912). Her father was born in England, and he moved from New York to Highland in 1841. He was a father who would occasionally travel to Detroit to trade, and would come back with six apples as a treat for his children. During winter, her brothers would use oxen to pull the sleigh to Lyman School and later to Grubb School.

As a young woman, she knew James Taylor (1846–1937), a young farmer with whom she attended the same school. He enlisted in the Grand Army of the Republic. A few years after his return from the Civil War, on 10 March 1868, the two were married. A modest ceremony was held at her home because her parents couldn’t afford a lavish wedding, given that her older sister had married just two months earlier. The couple had four children: Ella (1869–1956), Emory (1871–1934), Charles (born 1873), and Adah May (1882–1915). Shortly before their fourth child was born, they successfully purchased the shares from her husband’s sisters and established their residence on the nearby 114-acre farm, previously tended by her father-in-law, John Taylor. On the farm, the family constructed a stately framed home with a stone porch. Her husband passed away on 20 March 1937, aged 90. Their marriage lasted 69 years.

In December 1955, at the age of 106, she attributed her longevity to “that good Highland air,” as she had spent her entire life within a 10-mile radius of Highland. At the time, she was living with her last surviving child, Ella Keller (1869–1956). Upon her daughter’s passing, she lived with a grandniece, Alice Clark. At 110 years old, her vision and hearing had become somewhat impaired. In May 1960, shortly before her passing, it was reported that she had voted Republican in every election since women gained the right to vote. At that time, she was looking forward to voting for Richard Nixon in November.

Taylor passed away in Highland Township, Oakland County, Michigan, USA, on 27 May 1960, at the age of 110 years, 163 days. A newspaper report indicates that an illness struck her just days before her passing.

RECOGNITION

On 7 October 1959, following the death of 110-year-old Christina Karnebeek-Backs of the Netherlands, she became the oldest (known) living woman in the world. It was formerly believed that Karnebeek-Backs was succeeded as both the oldest living woman and oldest living person by a Norwegian woman, Marie Olsen (1 May 1850 – 24 November 1959). However, the validation of Robert Early has shown that Olsen never held either of these titles. Karnebeek-Backs was succeeded by Early as the world’s oldest living person and by Taylor as the world’s oldest living woman. Ultimately, Early outlived Taylor, so she never held the title of the world’s oldest living person, remaining the second-oldest living person at the time of her passing.

In December 1959, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming the first documented supercentenarian in the U.S. state of Michigan. She held the record as the State’s longevity record holder until her final age was surpassed by Nellie Cline on 17 May 1974.

Upon her passing, Louise Godejohann succeeded her as the world’s oldest living woman.

Her age was verified by Nick Eriksson, an anonymous researcher, and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 16 December 2023.

ATTRIBUTION

* Eliza A. Beaumont Taylor – Find A Grave

* “Oldest Michigan Resident Observes Her 106th Birthday” – Toledo Blade, 16 December 1955

* “At 108, She Fondly Recalls Oakland’s Mighty History” – Detroit Free Press, 1 December 1957

* “Highland Woman Awaits Happy 110th Birthday” – Detroit Free Press, 13 December 1959

* “Oldest Michigander, 110, Loves to Talk Politics” – Detroit Free Press, 1 May 1960

* “Gracious, Ever Alert, Our Oldest, 110, Dies” – Detroit Free Press, 28 May 1960

GALLERY

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