Bio: James H. Taylor, Claiborne Parish, LA
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez, Jan. 2000


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James H. Taylor, merchant of Haynesville, La., needs no introduction to the 
people of Claiborne Parish, for he has resided here from his birth, and has 
been connected with its mercantile affairs since 1872.  Although his name has 
never been thrust before the public for purposes of notoriety, he has been one 
of the county's most successful business men.  He was born on September 22, 1849, 
to Henry Taylor, a native of the Palmetto State.  The latter was left an orphan 
in his early youth, and, when a lad of fifteen years, went to Georgia, where he 
grew up.  Some time in 1846 he moved to Union County, Ark., remaining there until 
1848, when he was married to Mrs. Nancy Roberts, a daughter of John Adams, of 
Dallas County, Ala., and soon after his marriage came to Louisiana, and located 
near Haynesville, this being in the latter part of 1848.  He here opened up a 
large farm, and prior to the war, was the owner of about 100 slaves.  He continued 
to conduct his plantation for a number of years after the close of the war, but is 
now retired, and makes his home with his son, James H., being about seventy-five 
years of age. His wife died in 1884, two sons surviving her: James H. and Joe (now 
a merchant of Louisville Ark.).  James H. Has spent his life in this parish, and 
received and education far beyond what is usually given a farmer's boy, being first 
an attendant of Haynesville Academy, then Homer College, and lastly Opelousas College, 
receiving a thorough training in the common and higher English branches, and the 
languages.  After completing his studies he followed clerking in Haynesville for a 
short time, but in 1872 erected and stocked his present store building, being alone 
in business until 1876, when his brother became his partner.  They continued in 
business here up to 1888, when the firm was dissolved, and he has since been alone.  
He has a large room, 36x72 feet, and his stock of general goods is exceptionally 
well selected.  He is one of the oldest merchants of the place, and, in addition 
to his large stock of general merchandise, he handles a considerable amount of cotton.  
He is owner of three fine plantations, comprising in all about 1,200 acres, a large 
portion of which is under cultivation.  He is a successful business man, and has shown 
himself to be strictly honorable in every worthy particular, a secret, no doubt, to 
his success.  He was married in the parish in February, 1877, to Miss Hattie E. Phipps, 
who was born and educated here, a daughter of Isaiah Phipps, one of the pioneers of the 
State.  To Mr. Taylor and his wife five children have been born: Carrie E., Carl, Henry 
Chester, Mary Glenn and Ethel.  Carl died in infancy.

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