Bernal Eugene Taylor was the son of Norman L. and Edna Brackbill Taylor. He was born on March 20, 1918 in Spruce Hill Township, Juniata County, PA.
Bernal attended Matamoras Elementary School and graduated from Port Royal High School in 1935. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, first on the tracks and then in the superintendent's office at the Lewistown station. He served in the United States Navy during World War Two.
He returned to the railroad position until 1949, when he and his brother-in-law, Glen Kepner, purchased the store in Old Port and renamed it The Old Port Trading Post. In 1957, Ruth and Bernal bought the Trading Post from Glen Kepner.
At 8:30 a.m. on July 4, 1959, Bernal died in the F. W. Black Community Hospital after a few hours illness from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 41.
He was a member of the Port Royal Methodist Church, Juniata County Sportsman Association, United Commerical Travelers 591, Harvester Bowling Team, American Legion Post 298, Friendship Fire Company, Auditor for Turbett Township, sponsored the Old Port Store bowling team, and was manager of the Port Royal Baseball team of the Perry-Juniata League.
Bernal's interment was in the Old Church Hill Cemetery near Port Royal.
Ruth Eleanor McCachren Taylor was the daughter of J.Wayne "Brownie" McCachren and Elizabeth Groninger McCachren. She was born on May 13, 1919.
She attended Port Royal Elementary School and graduated from Port Royal High School in 1938. Ruth worked at the Port Royal Dress Factory until the birth of Wayne Eugene in January 1941 and Bernal Wilbur in August 1943.
When they bought the store in 1949 she became a permanent fixture behind the counter and upon Bernal's death in 1959, Ruth became the proprietor until the store ceased operation in late 1970.
After many years absence Ruth returned to the dress factory for a short period, but she soon found employment with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. At her death on Monday April 13, 1981 she had attained the position of supervisor in the agency.
She was a member of the Port Royal United Methodist Church and the Turbett Grange 781.
Her interment was beside her husband in the Old Church Hill Cemetery.
Contributed by letwet on 4/28/12 - Image Year: 1945
Bernal E. Taylor on leave at his parent's home in Spruce Hill in 1945 (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by ray on 2/5/13 - Image Year: 1944
SAILOR BROTHERS: Bernal (l) and Wilbur Taylor (r) with Bernal's sons, Wayne (l) and Wib (r). (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by letwet on 4/28/12 - Image Year: 1945
TAYLOR SAILORS: Wayne and Bernal Taylor at the back of their home on Main Street in 1945 (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by letwet on 11/8/10 - Image Year: 1945
Wayne, Wib, Bernal and Ruth Taylor-April 1945
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/6/21 - Image Year: 1958
"Josh" Ritzman and Bernal Taylor along Route 75 across from the Old Port Trading Post that was owned and operated by Bernal and his wife Ruth. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/30/12 - Image Year: 1955
THE NORMAN AND EDNA TAYLOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY FAMILY GATHERING (DEC 1955) (Front Row (l-r)) Dorothy (standing in front of her husband Harold "Fat" Taylor, Norman Leon Taylor, Edna (Brackbill) Taylor, Warren B. "Toby" Taylor, Louise (Turbett) Taylor; (back row) Ruth (McCachren) Taylor, Bernal E. Taylor, Eleanor R. (Taylor) Boyer, Marlin Wert, Miriam (Taylor) Wert, Nellie (Landis) Taylor, J. Wilbur Taylor (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
