TAYLOR BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== TAYLOR, Edwin - b: 1833 Medina Co, OH source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 622 residence: Deepwater Twp Edwin Taylor came originally from Medina County, Ohio, where he was born December 8, 1833. Jonathan Taylor, his father, was a native of Connecticut, and his mother, formerly Lydia Taylor, was born in New Hampshire. Edwin accompanied his parents to Illinois and settled first in Hancock County, where they lived about five years, moving thence to Iowa and locating in Fairfield, in 1844. The subject of this sketch passed his youth on a farm and at school until about the age of sixteen years, when he was employed as stage agent in Iowa and Missouri until 1859. He came to Missouri in 1855 and worked for the stage company after this for about four years. In 1859 he engaged in the drug business at Calhoun, Henry County. He was appointed postmaster shortly after and continued in business there until the breaking out of the war. In 1863 Mr. Taylor moved to Germantown and opened a stock of general merchandise, which business he conducted till 1871, then closed out and came to Montrose and embarked in the hotel and livery business. He sold his hotel in a short time, and since then has been carrying on the livery business. His large barn contains a number of excellent horses and buggies, and being a pleasant, social and accommodating man, he is very popular and is having an extensive patronage. Mr. Taylor was married in Warsaw, Benton County in August, 1858, to Miss Ada V. Oliver, who was born in Warsaw, but educated in Springfield, Missouri. They have had four children, Edwin O., William H., who died in December, 1879, at the age of fourteen years, Lulie and Arthur. ==================================================================== TAYLOR, John W. - b: 1834 Woodford Co, KY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 688 residence: Fields Creek Twp John W. Taylor, farmer, section 32, originally of Woodford County, Kentucky, was born October 6, 1834, his parents being Richard and Caroline Taylor, nee Whittinger, natives of the same county. The former was born in 1807, and is now a resident of Honey Creek Township, this county, the latter died in 1841. They had a family of three children, of whom John W. was the oldest, and the only child now living. He started in life for himself in Kentucky as an agriculturist, and in 1860 removed to Henry County, Missouri, settling where he now resides in the spring of 1868. February 5, 1861, he married Miss Nancy Nash, who was born in Henry County, Missouri, March 15, 1841. She was a daughter of James and Sarah (Pegg) Nash, Tennesseeans by birth, who emigrated to Missouri in 1832, and located upon the present site of Calhoun. During the late war Mr. T. was in Colonel Owens' regiment. He and his wife have a family of two children. Kate F. was born January 21, 1862, and William E. born September 17, 1867. They are both connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. T. is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. ==================================================================== TAYLOR, M. B. - b: 1832 Bourbon Co, KY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 754 residence: Osage Twp M. B. Taylor, M.D., was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, December 28, 1832, and was the son of Matthew and Mary (Baker) Taylor, also natives of that county. Our subject was reared in his native county on a farm, and in 1855 he went to Illinois and located in Coles County, engaged in the drug business at Mattoon for about one year. Shortly after settling in Illinois he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. T. B. Dora, one of the prominent physicians of Coles County. In the winter of 1856-7 he attended lectures at Cincinnati and graduated in January, 1858. After finishing his studies at college the doctor embarked in the practice of his profession in Moultrie County, Illinois, where he continued for about twelve years. Moving to Missouri in June, 1870, he located in Brownington, Henry County, and here has built up a fine practice and is recognized as one of the most successful physicians in the county. He was married in Moultrie County, Illinois, December 6, 1859, to Miss Mary E. Ellington, of that county, and a daughter of Daniel and Harriet Ellington. She died December 6, 1865, leaving two children, Laura B., now Mrs. C. W. Mercer, and Mattie E. The doctor was again married in Moultrie County, November 28, 1867, to Miss Mary F. Wilkerson, of Callaway County, Missouri, and a daughter of Moses Wilkerson. They have three children: Adda E., Lena L. and Clifford D. Dr. T. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He belongs to the Christian Church, as does also his wife. ==================================================================== TAYLOR, Richard Ferguson - b: 1820 Louisville, KY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 598 residence: Windsor Twp Richard Ferguson Taylor, farmer and merchant, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, August 17, 1820. His father, Major William Taylor, was born in Virginia in 1756 and died in 1829 in Kentucky. His mother was formerly Elizabeth Courts, of Virginia, who died in 1849. The former was in the revolutionary war and served with Washington for eight years, and was promoted to major and served in that capacity much of the time. He had seven brothers, and all served with him through the war. One only was wounded, and died in consequence. From an old letter written in 1852 at the pension office, we learn that in 1781 the major received 5,333 1/3 acres of land from the government for his services. In 1800 he received 889 2/3 acres in full for seven years' service. In 1808 he received 889 2/3 acres for his eight years' service. In 1839 Richard F. came to Windsor Township and settled five miles west of this place. He entered 160 acres and improved it, and in 1852 he moved into Windsor, having bought the land where the city now stands. He improved his place and started the first store In the town, in 1853. He has since lived here, working his farm and running a store much of the time. He has 150 acres adjoining the city, with a good residence and everything comfortable and desirable. He married Miss Ann Fitz Hugh, of Virginia. They have six children living, all married: Eliza (Mrs. David Black), Henrietta F. (Mrs. Dr. J. B. Brame), Eleanor Madison (Mrs. John Houston), Montgomery, Catherine F. (Mrs. John Melvin), and Robert Henry Couts. President Taylor was a relative of the family, and R. F.'s father's aunt was the mother of President Madison. He was the first postmaster of this place, appointed by President Fillmore, and held the office for nine years. He is now justice of the city, has been its mayor and has held various positions of trust, which he is most competent to fill. In his political predilection he is a Democrat, and, religiously, a Presbyterian. He has for many years been a Mason and is now secretary of Windsor Lodge, No. 29. We find but few men living whose fathers were in the revolutionary war. Major Taylor was seventy years old at the birth of R. F., in 1820. ==================================================================== TAYLOR, William Richard - b: 1818 Oldham, KY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 592 residence: Windsor Twp William Richard Taylor, farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 330 acres of land, and resides on section 9. He was born in Oldham, Kentucky, August 18, 1818, his father being John Taylor, a native of Jefferson County, Kentucky. His grandfather, William Taylor, was a major through the Revolution. William's mother, formerly Mariah F. Barber, was a Virginian by birth. In 1838 John Taylor moved to Missouri and settled on section 17, in Windsor Township, where his family grew up and assisted in clearing and improving the farm. William R. was the eldest of five children. He studied hard by himself to procure an education sufficient to enable him to do business and was faithful at home in assisting his father. In 1850 he went to California and returned in 1851, having worked in the mines most of the time. On his return he entered a store in Calhoun as clerk, and remained until the spring of 1856, when he was elected county assessor and entered upon the duties of his office for two years. He was deputy sheriff under Robert Allen in 1846-47. In 1848 he was elected sheriff and also re-elected in 1858 and 1860. In 1861 he resigned. In 1875, under the new town organization, he was elected judge. Mr. Taylor has ever been one of the most active men in all railroad enterprises and other Improvements affecting the interests of the county. He was married in November, 1852, to Miss Mary E. Watkins, who subsequently died. She was the daughter of Frank Watkins, of Boone County, Missouri, originally from Kentucky, and a niece of General Nat. Watkins, who is so well known in Southeast Missouri. She left four children: Henry P., John F., William E. and Minnie C. He married for his second wife Miss Elenor M. Berry, a daughter of Judge J. T. Berry, of Henry County. Politically Mr. T. has always been a Clay Whig. He belongs to the Masons. Very few men among the early pioneers of this county will have more lasting and pleasant recollections to follow them the remainder of their days than Mr. Taylor. ==================================================================== TAYLOR, Zachary - b: 1851 Cross Anchor, Spartenburg Co, SC source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 719 residence: White Oak Twp Zachary Taylor, farmer and stock raiser, was born November 2, 1851, at Cross Anchor, Spartenburg County, South Carolina. His father, Steven Taylor, was born in that county, and was an extensive planter and slave owner. He died in August, 1858. His mother, formerly Miss Matilda Jones, was born in the same locality as her husband. They were married about the year 1840, and had five children, three sons and two daughters, all still living. Zachary Taylor was the youngest of them, and in 1866 he came to Henry County, with his sister's family, with whom he remained until July 3, 1867. Then he was married to Miss Margaret E. Elder. By this union they had two children, one son and one daughter. Mr. T. received his early education in his native county, at Anthon's Academy, attending school regularly for a term of six years, in that institution. On coming to Henry County he resumed his studies, pursuing them at the public school in Holden, Johnson County, for two years. In 1874 he took a trip to Oregon, remained for one year and visited California on his return. He has 121 acres of land, upon which he has erected a new mill, for flouring, the sawing of lumber, etc. Politically he is Independent, sustaining the best men for office. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================