Biographies: Jared Wilber TAYLOR, Barron, Barron Co., WI ==================================================================== 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, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Victor Gulickson 20 August 1999 ==================================================================== Jared Wilber Taylor, founder of the Barron Roller Mills, first president of the First National Bank, postmaster, city official, and active man-of-affairs, was for many years one of the most vital factors in the life and growth of Barron. He was born in Oxford, Marquette county, this state, Dec. 11, 1856, the son of Henry H. and Martha E. (Emerick) Taylor, natives of New York state, who came to Wisconsin in 1840, and lived in Walworth county, until moving to Marquette county in the fifties. He was reared on his native farm, attended the neighboring schools, and learned agriculture from his father. In 1877 he started out for himself by renting a farm. But although he made a success of this operation, he felt that his ability lay along commercial lines, and decided to embark on a career as a miller. Accordingly, he came to Barron in 1884, purchased the roller mill at Cameron, and transferred the machinery to a building he erected on the waterpower at Barron, thus establishing the Barron Roller Mills, which for many years were an important feature in the commercial stability of the city. From July 1, 1887 to Nov. 1, 1890, he successfully conducted a general store at Barron. He devoted most of his life, however, to the development of the milling industry here. In 1916 he was a prime mover in the founding of the First National Bank, and as first president, kept a close supervision over the affairs of the institution, and was especially concerned in the erection of the present sightly banking house. He also had other financial interests and holdings, including city and rural real estate. He did much to promote and further the business interests of Barron, when it was struggling from a village to a city, was always true to this locality, and deserves much credit for having devoted his mature years to its progress and betterment. In politics, Mr. Taylor was a staunch Republican, and was a member of various committees, conventions and delegations of that party in the picturesque days before the primary laws went into effect. In 1888-89 he was postmaster at Barron; in 1896-97 he was city treasurer, and 1901-02, he served with efficiency and dignity as mayor. Fraternally he delighted in the companionship of his fellow man. In 1876 he was one of those instrumental in organizing the local lodge of Odd Fellows, and for some time served as district deputy. He was also a popular member of the Modern Woodmen of America. After a useful life, he died Feb. 22, 1917. Mr. Taylor was a man of deep convictions, and was possessed of the courage to voice them, and had the most decided opinions as to the things which were of the greatest good to the community. In furtherance of all that he believed to be right and for the city's best interests, he was willing to give freely of his time, his energy and his means, and he is rightly numbered among those who were of permanent help in the upbuilding of this part of the county. In personal affairs he was deservedly successful, and left varied interests to his family. In his home, Mr. Taylor was a loving husband, an indulgent and affectionate father. There he sought rest from business cares, and there he found his greatest contentment. As a business man he was shrewd and cautious, and possessed of unusually good judgment and foresight. In public office he was of scrupulous integrity, of utmost fairness and justice. In politics he never advised a man but in the ways which he believed to be right, and the leaders, as well as the rank and file, had the greatest confidence in his spoken word. As a companion he was cheery and possessed of a keen sense of humor, and as a friend he was loyal, true and helpful. In all ways he measured up to the full standard of an upright and useful citizen, and his loss will long continue to be sincerely mourned. Mr. Taylor was married Nov. 30, 1881, to Hannah E. Ross, born May 8, 1859, at Farmington, Washington county, this state, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Ross. This union has been blessed with five children: Henry Ross, Mildred, Lawrence Earl, Sherman and Marshall, all born in Barron. Henry Ross Taylor was born May 8, 1888. He passed through the Barron schools and graduated from Lawrence College at Appleton, Wis. He is now connected with the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. at McGill, Nevada, as assistant superintendent. He married Beverly Alexander Riley, of Salt Lake City, and has a daughter, Dixie. Mildred Elizabeth was born Sept. 16, 1892, passed through the local schools, graduated from the Barron high school in 1910 and from the home economics course at the Stout Institute, Menomonie, in 1913. She then taught home economics in Wilbur, Washington, two years, in Mondovi, Wis., one year, and in Barron, Wis., one year. Sept. 30, 1918, she enlisted in the service as a student nurse and shortly afterward was made dietitian. From Camp Wheeler, Georgia, she was transferred to the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D. C., and from there to the Letterman General Hospital, San Francisco. She was discharged July 1, 1920. On Sept. 22, 1920, she married Wallace M. Plummer, of Oshkosh, Wis., who served two years in Europe with the 16th Engineers. They are located at Wilburton, Oklahoma, where Mr. Plummer is in the U. S. Government claim service. Lawrence Earl Taylor was born Dec. 1, 1894. He graduated from the Barron High school in 1914. He enlisted in the Marines, March 6, 1918, and was stationed at Miami, Florida. He is now at Lanark, Ill., where he is superintendent of a canning factory. Sept. 3,1919, he married Josephine Johnson, of Rice Lake, Wis., and has a son, Dean Leroy, born Feb. 28, 1921. Sherman and Marshall are attending the Barron High school. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 76-77.