David G. Taylor arrived in Canada from Scotland in 1888. Upon his arrival he stayed with relatives in Harvey Station and met his future wife Margaret Robison. He started off his career working on the Saint John Suspension Bridge and then being employed by a hardware company. He moved from Harvey to Ontario and then onto Boston. After David and Margaret's marriage they resided in Boston until Margaret died in 1928. He retired in 1929.
The following year David returned to Harvey and in 1930 married his cousin Ann Taylor from San Antonio, Texas. Mr and Mrs. Taylor decided to spend their winters in Texas and their summers in Harvey. During the following years David Taylor and his wife were responsible for many changes in Harvey.
In the summer of 1931, David Taylor sat watching some young Harvey youths playing baseball in a field. He realized that the children had no formal park to play in and decided that a playground and recreation area was needed. He called a meeting among his neighbours. Mr. Taylor suggested that the swamp part of Harvey Lake (technically Cranberry Lake), be filled, levelled, and cleaned. It was currently being used as the village dump. It would also take care of the mosquito problem that plagued Harvey Lake by taking away their breeding place.
Many citizens volunteered to help build the new recreation area. David Taylor donated the money used for building materials. The project was so well received that a Harvey Improvement Association was formed with Mr. Taylor as president.
Shortly after the field was created, a hall was constructed. Taylor Hall opened its doors in 1932 to be used for social events, public meetings and entertainment. During the summer it was the focal point of the Harvey Fair. Taylor Hall was torn down in 1990 after the Harvey Improvement Association decided that it had surpassed its usefulness, Many new buildings were now filling the capacity that the hall once did.
The Improvement Association functioned for many years with its honorary president David Taylor, and active president Harry A. Corey. They succeeded in establishing a modern telephone service, electric lights as well as aiding the Harvey High School in 1947.
In 1947, David and Ann and Ann's sister Mrs T.J. Walthael of San Antonio, Texas, turned over their summer home to the community to be used as a hospital. The home had originally been built by David and Margaret. David and Ann built a new summer home two houses away. The hospital was in use from 1948 to 1964 and operated by the Red Cross. In 1965 Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Swan established a nursing home on the premises. It is now the Swanhaven Nursing Home.
The Taylors were well liked and had many friends in Harvey. Their door was always open and they were always available to help in community events. They took pride in the village. David G. Taylor died in 1951 at the age of 86 and was buried in the Harvey Cemetery and the settlement to which he had given so much. Ann Taylor died in 1954, and was also buried in Harvey Cemetery.
At present, a new addition has been made possible thanks to the legacy that David Taylor left. A newly constructed Taylor Field was officially opened in 1991. It boasts of a extended boat ramp and dock, picnic tables and adjoining canopies, playground equipment and washrooms. Proper drainage and garbage containers were also installed. The baseball field was redone courtesy of the Harvey Baseball Association. After the destruction of Taylor Hall, a room was created to preserve the Taylor name in the Harvey Memorial Community Centre. The Taylors will not be forgotten in Harvey as long as their memorials still stand.
Reference - Excerpt from Harvey and Area 1968 to 1992, published by the Harvey Improvement Association, 1992.
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