Frank Taylor-Electrician Ontario Hydro
283 Romeo Street South
Stratford, ON
1913

Frank Taylor was born in Rochdale Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England in 1882. His parents, Robert (January 23,1849-May 24, 1924) and Hanna Bailey (October 15,1852-October 15,1913), were both born in England. They married on July 29, 1871, and welcomed son James Thomas (1872-1914), daughter Sarah Ellen (1875-1948), son Harry (1879-1937), son Walter (1886-1988) and daughter Florance (1888-1890). Robert's occupation was a cotton operator. Harry was the first to come to Canada on June 13, 1903, on the ship Ionian to Montreal then Toronto. Frank arrived in Canada on July 11, 1903 on the ship named Bavarian. He moved to Stratford by the next year when his father, Robert, mother Hannah and his brother Walter arrived on May 8 also on the Bavarian. James arrived in 1913, with his daughter, Florence to seek better employment, only to return to England a year later as jobs were scare in Canada. Sadly, the ship, Empress of Ireland, sank near Rimouski, Quebec and both were drowned. Sarah joined the family in Canada in 1924.1n the 1911 Census, 283 Romeo Street South Robert, Hannah, Frank, listed as an electrician, and Walter lived at 168 Built 1913 Fredrick Street, Stratford.

Frank married Beatrice Etherington in July 5,1911 in Hamilton. Beatrice was born in Stratford on March 25, 1891, to father Albert James (December 4, 1865-November, 1954) and mother Sarah Ann (Dart)(October 3, 1861-November 17, 1933). After Sarah died, Albert married Elizabeth Orr (1866-1952). They were both 68 years old at the time.

Frank's first job when he arrived, was with the Trunk Railway shops. He began working for Ontario Hydro on January 11, 1911, after leaving General Electric. While working at GE, he helped built the first transformer station on Devon Street in Stratford. He then became the first chief operator of the station. At the time, the contract between the City of Stratford and Ontario Hydro was for 500 horsepower, enough to power a knitting mill, some elevators, a few stores and the streetlights.

Beatrice and Frank moved into 283 Romeo Street South in 1913. They would continue to live there for over 70 years. Frank served in the First World War, enlisting in 1915. They started a family in 1920 when their son, Albert Roy Taylor was born on February 28. Daughter, Dorothy Hazel was born on January 22, 1921 followed by Myrtle "Eileen" in 1923 and Lillian Beatrice, born in 1928.

Albert enlisted in the Airforce in 1945 and served a radar mechanic and married Le'ette "May" Landers. At the age of 86 he [published his memoir of wartime experiences. He died on June 22, 2015, and is buried in London, Ontario.

Dorothy was on Active duty with the Canadian Army in 1945, living at home on Romeo Street. She married Jan Jansen (1918-1997) in Warffum, Netherlands. She and Jan returned to Canada and lived in Mitchell. She died October 3, 1984.

Alieen was also on active duty in 1945. She married Bruce Smith and died in Oneida on the Thames, Ontario on April 3, 2015.

Lillian married Donald Mann, a Hydro area forestry foreman and die in Minden, Ontario in 1974.

Frank died in October 1970. He is buried in the Avondale Cemetery along with his wife Beatrice, who died on February 27,1988