Biographies: Charles Simeon 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 22 August 1999 ==================================================================== Charles Simeon Taylor, state senator and representative, chairman of the county board, district attorney, and for several years owner of the Barron County "Shield," founder of the Barron Woolen Mills, founder of the Barron Creamery Co., and one of the Republican delegates who nominated William McKinley for president of the United States, was one of the real founders of the county, and his influence will remain in its official, commercial, financial and social affairs. He was probably the best known man of his time in this part of the state. A University man, of good birth and unusually well trained mind, of high ideals and unswerving integrity, and possessed of a splendid appreciation of all the finer things of life, he was just the man that the county needed as a leader in the days when the majority of the people, with limited opportunities and under crude circumstances, were struggling, by hard work, to wrest a living from the woods and from the ground. He was born in Lake Geneva, Walworth county, this state, Oct. 13, 1851, the son of Henry H. and Martha E. (Emerick) Taylor, natives of New York state, and descended from old American stock. He was reared in a home of refinement and culture, and received his preliminary education in the public schools. Then he entered the State Normal School at Whitewater, in his native county, and was graduated in the class of 1876 from the Law Department of the State University at Madison. The reputation and standing of the young man had attracted attention at the state capitol, and after his graduation, Governor Harrison Luddington appointed him to fill a vacancy in the office of district attorney at Barron. He finished his appointive term, and was three times elected to the office, fulfilling its duties with dignity and to the benefit of the law and order of the community. In 1885 and 1887, he sat in the lower house of the State Assembly, and in 1889 and 1891, in the upper house. It was largely through his efforts that the law was passed incorporating the city of Barron with four wards in 1887. At one time he was chairman of the county board, and at various intervals he served in several city offices, such as alderman and supervisor from the Fourth Ward. From its' organization until his death, he was a member of the water and light commission. He was a delegate to numerous local, district and state conventions, and in 1896 represented the Eleventh Congressional District in the Republican National Convention at St. Louis. In the meantime, he was engaged extensively in journalistic and business enterprises, and did as much, perhaps, as any man in the county toward developing the natural resources of this region. In all these business transactions, he was a man of scrupulous honesty, and his word once given, was ever above question or doubt. In 1879 he purchased the Barron County "Shield" in partnership with Walter Speed, and on Sept. 15, 1882, the two established the Chetek "Alert." In July, 1883, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Speed taking the "Alert" and Mr.Taylor the "Shield." He remained in control of this paper until 1902 when he sold to Thomas Dovery. In 1884 he established the Barron Woolen Mills Co., was made its president and gave up most of his law practice to assume its active management. With the belief that the future of Barron county lay in the dairy industry, he did much to promote the raising of better cattle and purchased and distributed pure bred registered sires throughout the county and adjacent territory. To further promote the industry, he organized the Barron Creamery Co., now the largest in the world, and of which he was the first president. With five others, he organized a local canning factory, the first in the county. He was also interested in real estate, and at times owned various farms. After a long and useful life, he died suddenly June 19, 1913, while attending a Masonic meeting, and witnessing the conferring of the third degree on his son, Archie. Thus briefly is told the story of a life of more than usual prominence, and of more than usual influence upon the affairs of his time. He did his duty in life as he found it, he recognized the obligations which his opportunities offered, and he was faithful to every trust placed in him. He took special delight in his home and his family, and lived to take pride in seeing his sons and daughters take the positions in life for which their careful home training had fitted them. He was married at Oxford, Wis., Aug. 22, 1874, to Ann Elizabeth Crawford, who was born Oct. 25, 1856, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, daughter of John and Isabella (Stewart) Crawford, the former of whom died Sept. 9, 1917, and the latter Oct. 15, 1897. Mrs. Taylor has been in every way a fitting helpmate for a man of such superior attainments and qualities. A gracious lady of many accomplishments, and possessed of a broad outlook on life, she braved the rigors of existence in a new country, and made her home a center of education, refinement, hospitality, and every gentle and wholesome influence. The second year they came here, she and her husband erected the sightly residence on First street, which has since been the family domicile. Here they found peace and happiness and contentment, here all the babies except one were born, and here the children have grown from happy childhood to worthy manhood and womanhood. For forty-five years, Mrs. Taylor has been an influence of kindliness and good cheer in the community. Her home has always been open to her friends, and her children's friends, she has taken her part in social and charitable work, and the community indeed "calls her blessed." The Methodist church has found in her a leader and an active worker. In the nineties, she served as a member of the city school board, the only woman, thus far, who has been a member of that body. In 1892 she was honored by being made a member of the board of visitors of the University of Wisconsin, and filled the position with honor to herself, credit to the community, and benefit to the University. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had seven children: John C., Herman H., Daisy, Charles A., Florence, Archie R. and Agnes L. John C. was born Oct. 21, 1875, and is now located in Peru, South America, with the Denver Rock Drill & Machinery Co. Herman H. was born Dec. 6, 1877, and is a leading attorney of Sand Point, Idaho. He has served that state with distinction as senator and as lieutenant governor. Daisy was born May 19, 1881, and died Sept. 3, 1882. Charles A. was born July 27, 1883, and, like his father before him, is a leader in official, business and financial circles. Florence was born April 26, 1886, and died June 11, 1887. Archie R. was born Oct. 13, 1890, and is now electrical engineer at New York, while living at Montclair, New Jersey. Agnes L. was born Aug. 31, 1892, and is now at Oakland, California. All the children are graduates of the University of Wisconsin, and all the sons, like their father, are members of the Masonic order. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 74-75.