William E. Taylor, a prosperous farmer residing in
section 22, Brushy Mound township, Macoupin County, is a native of this
county, born in Gillespie township, on July 26, 1837. He is a son of Arthur
and Sarah A. (Rose) Taylor, and grandson of William Taylor, who was a native
of North Carolina. The Taylor family is of Scotch-Irish descent and was
established in North Carolina in the colonial days.
Arthur Taylor,
father of our subject, was born in South Carolina, and was there reared to
manhood, working as a farm laborer when a boy. In 1832 he came to the State
of Illinois and received a patent to a tract of land in Gillespie township,
Macoupin County, where he lived the remainder of his days. He died in 1872,
aged about 66 years. He was a Whig, and later a Democrat in politics. He was
united in marriage with Sarah A. Rose, who was born near Princeton, New
Jersey. She died in 1882, aged 68 years. They were of the Baptist faith.
William E. Taylor received his educational training in the old log
school houses which characterized this county in the early period of its
development. He took to agricultural pursuits, at an early day,' and has
followed this vocation with marked success all his life. Working hard and
living frugally he was enabled to acquire property of his own, and at the
present time owns a valuable farm of 280 acres in Brushy Mound township. He
follows general farming and stock raising, his farm being well stocked with
animals of a high class.
In 1864, Mr. Taylor was joined in marriage
with Eliza Blue, who died the year following without issue. In 1868, our
subject was married to Martha Kiltner, whose parents were among the early
settlers of Macoupin County. Six children were born to bless this union,
namely: Lucy (Beam) and Lydia (Whitworth), twins; Anna (Whitworth); William;
Ella; and Roy. The family are Baptists in religious attachment. Politically,
Mr. Taylor is a stanch Democrat and takes an active interest in local
politics. He has held the offices of township supervisor, commissioner of
highways, overseer, justice of the peace, and has served as a member of the
School Board in his district for the past 15 years. He has also served on
the Democratic Central Committee, in which capacity he rendered valuable
assistance to his party.
Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 117-118.
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