William B. Taylor 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. Page 262

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

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WILLIAM B. TAYLOR, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Kellogg 
township, Beadle county, South Dakota, whose home is on section 8, was 
born in De Kalb county, Illinois, February 27, 1857, but when only 
three months old was taken to Butler county, Iowa, by his parents, S. 
H. and Lovina (Needham) Taylor, who were also agriculturists. There he 
received his early education in the Parkersburg high school, and later 
spent two years in the State University, pursuing optional studies. 
After leaving school. he followed teaching most of the time prior to 
coming to South Dakota in 1888, and has taught a number of terms in 
this state, meeting with most excellent success in that profession. 

In 1888, Mr. Taylor purchased a relinquishment to the southwest quarter 
of section 8, Kellogg township, Beadle county, on which he filled a 
homestead claim, and since then has acquired three other quarter 
sections of land, but did not make the mistake so many have of buying 
and paying interest. He simply bought a piece of land when he needed it 
and could pay for it. Since then the greater part of his time is 
devoted to stock growing; he has avoided one great item of expense— 
that of farm machinery, and it is his boast that he has never paid one 
cent of interest on machinery. He is one of the most progressive and 
enterprising agriculturists of his community, is a wide- awake and 
successful business man, and one of the most honored and valued, 
citizens of Kellogg township. 

On the 11th of February, 1889, Mr. Taylor led to the marriage altar 
Miss Lydia Bader, a sister of Christ Bader, of Kellogg township. She 
was born July 3, 1864, in Manheim, Germany, where her parents,Gustafand 
Christiana (Heyler) Bader,still reside. To our subject and his wife 
have been born the following children: Sylvanus H., Cooley N., Benjamin 
R., Olive L., Don C. and Etta L. 

In his political views, Mr. Taylor is a stanch Republican, and takes en 
active and influential part in local political affairs. He has most 
creditably and satisfactorily filled most of the township offices, and 
has served on the school board almost continuously since coming to 
Beadle county. He is also a member of the Republican central committee, 
and his township is usually placed in his hands for management during 
the elections. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.