James B. Taylor, M. D. Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 364-365

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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JAMES B. TAYLOR, M. D. In a comparison of the relative value to mankind 
of the various professions and pursuits, it is widely recognized that 
none is so important as the medical profession. From the cradle to the 
grave, human destiny is largely in the hands of the physician. In Dr. 
Taylor, of St. Lawrence, Hand county, South Dakota, we find a worthy 
representative of this noble calling. 

The Doctor was born in Rochester, Vermont, July 5, 1845, and is a son 
of Reuben L. and Marilla (Upham) Taylor, also natives of the Green 
Mountain state. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to 
Colton, New York, in 1845, but afterward returned to Vermont, where he 
continued to make his home with our subject until 1878. He died in 
South Dakota in 1897, but the mother is still living, and now resides 
in Rock Falls, Illinois. In their family were five children, four sons 
and one daughter. 

Dr. Taylor acquired his primary education in Vermont, and later 
attended the academy at Meridan, New Hampshire. In 1862, at the age of 
seventeen years, he enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Vermont Volunteer 
Infantry, but was afterward transferred to the light artillery, and 
during most of his eleven months' service was stationed at Washington, 
D. C. He then returned to Vermont, where he completed his literary 
education by another year in school. In 1865 he commenced the study of 
medicine, and at the same time entered a drug store as clerk. After two 
years of study he entered the medical department of Michigan 
University, at Ann Arbor, in 1867, and spent one year there. He then 
opened an office at Farmington, Michigan, where he engaged in practice 
for one year, and from there moved to Fulton county, Ohio, where he 
prosecuted his chosen calling until 1889. During that year he entered 
the Northwestern Ohio Medical College, where he was graduated in 1890. 
Returning to Fulton county, he continued in practice there until 1893, 
which year witnessed his arrival in St. Lawrence, where he has built up 
a large and constantly increasing practice. 

In 1868 Doctor Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Hattie E. Davis, 
a native of New York, who removed with her parents to Michigan when a 
child of seven years. Six children bless this union, namely: Carrie E., 
Abba M., James E., Stephen F., Zachary H. and June L. Mrs. Taylor is a 
most estimable lady, who takes an active part in the work of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, the Ladies' Relief Corps and the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union, in all of which she holds membership. 
Politically, the Doctor is a Republican.