BIOS: Francis Morrison TAYLOR, Stoyestown, Quemahoning Twp., Somerset 
County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp. 119-120.

  Francis Morrison Taylor, a prosperous lumber dealer of Stoyestown, 
Quemahoning township, Pa., is a worthy representative of the self-made 
men of our country, having achieved success by his own industry, 
business sagacity, and thrift.  He was born in February 20, 1846, in 
Ligonier, Westmoreland County, Pa., the birthplace of his father, 
Daniel Taylor.  His paternal grandfather, James Taylor, was one of the 
early settlers of Ligonier Valley, where he worked hard as a day 
laborer to support his family.  Whom he married is not known, but he 
reared five sons and at least one daughter, Daniel being his youngest 
son.
  Daniel Taylor was born in the year 1800, and died May 5, 1862.  He 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits during his active life, occupying 
at various periods farms in different parts of Westmoreland County.  He 
was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were members of 
the Presbyterian church.  He married Sarah Jones, who was born in 
Indiana County, January 30, 1809, and died October 10, 1867.  They had 
thirteen children, of whom seven now survive, namely: William, born 
March 26, 1831, who married Elizabeth Wilt, and has two children - 
Cyrus and Mollie; Martha, who was born February 19, 1834, is the wife 
of Isaac Slater, and has five children - Samuel, Mollie, Milton, Minnie 
and Isaac; Esther, born December 23, 1838, who married Daniel 
Tantlinger, and has eight children - Frank, Millie, Ida, William, 
Daniel, Susan, Martha, and Flora; Arabella, born March 7, 1840, who 
married Cyrus Wilt, and has six children - Clara, Milton, Emma, Frank, 
Clarence, and Martha; Joseph, born March 15, 1842, who married Frances 
Seaton, and has one child, Harry; Francis M., the eleventh child and 
fifth son, the special subject of this sketch; Susan M., born September 
25, 1851, who is now the wife of John A. Seaton, and has six children - 
Minnie, Robert, Sadie, Homer, Annie, and Ellen.
  Francis M. Taylor after acquiring his education in the common schools 
of Ligonier, came to Somerset County, and in Jenner township learned 
the miller's trade which he there followed three years.  On March 22, 
1868, he transferred his business and his residence to Quemahoning, 
where he was engaged in milling four years.  Going thence in the spring 
of 1873 to Johnstown, Pa., he worked for the Cambria Iron Company eight 
years.  In 1881 he returned to Quemahoning, and, purchasing a farm of 
one hundred and forty acres, was engaged in agricultural pursuits a 
year.  Disposing then of his rural estate, he settled in Stoyestown, 
and from 1882 until 1886 followed the builder's trade.  He was 
subsequently manager of the Cambria Lumbering Company six years, 
resigning his position in 1892 to engage in the lumber business on his 
own account.  This he has since continued most successfully, his 
business being one of the largest of the kind in the northern part of 
Somerset County.  On November 23, 1890, his dwelling-house was 
unfortunately destroyed by fire, but in 1892 he completed the 
attractive residence that he now occupies.
  On February 28, 1869, Mr. Taylor married Mary Ellen Bender, who was 
born February 24, 1853, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Shaffer) Bender.  
Her father, who was for many years a foundryman in Stoyestown is now 
living retired from active pursuits in Johnstown, Pa.  His wife died at 
the age of sixty-one years, eleven months, and nineteen days.  She 
belonged to the Lutheran church, of which he is an active member.  They 
had eight children, of whom these five are living: Cornelius, Sarah 
Jane, Mrs. Taylor, Emma, and John.  Mrs. Taylor's paternal grandparents 
were Peter and Susan (Wilt) Bender, and her maternal grandparents were 
Valentine and Christina (Gardner) Shaffer, all of whom were among the 
early settlers of this section of the Keystone State.
  Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had eleven children, and have been bereft of 
two.  The record of those living is as follows: Jennie Beatrice, born 
April 6, 1870; Joseph Milton, born September 17, 1872; Lottie Pearl, 
born August 27, 1879; Francis Homer, born January 10, 1882; Kate Darl, 
born September 9, 1883; Tyra Maud, born November 4, 1885; Russell 
Bonner, born August 8, 1888; Martha Maria, born January 6, 1890; and 
Edmund Clifton, born September 23, 1894.  Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are 
prominent members of the Lutheran church, which he has served as 
trustee.  He is a strong Republican in politics.