From Lead Mines to Gold Fields

Henry Taylor’s long life (1825–1931) gave him an unusual perspective on change in American society. During his lifetime, the West was largely settled. America fought wars with Mexico and Spain, was nearly torn apart by a civil conflict, and then joined allies across the sea in World War I. Inventions proliferated (trains, cars, airplanes, to name a few), and twenty-six presidents served in office. Taylor’s life also exemplifies the mobile American lifestyle. His family moved several times before