Taylor Brothers Homesite
The four Taylor brothers, “first family” of the Negro Leagues, were acclaimed baseball professionals raised in Varennes Township on Anderson’s south side. They were the sons of Isham and Adaline Taylor, who likely lived on S. McDuffie Street in 1900 and moved to a house on Cleveland Ave. soon after. Several attended Greeley Institute or played for Anderson’s amateur team. Their professional careers began in 1904-08 in Alabama.
The Taylors ultimately served roles with teams across the U.S. Charles Isham “C.I.” (b.1875) was an influential owner-manager who in 1920 helped found the first Negro major league. John “Steel Arm” (b.1879) was a top pitcher in the 1900s-10s. James “Candy Jim” (b.1884) managed and won the most games in Negro Leagues history. Benjamin “Ben” (b.1888) was among the best-ever first basemen and a 2006 Hall of Fame inductee.
Where it stands. S. McDuffie St. and Cleveland Ave., Anderson, Anderson