Biographies: Cortes P. 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 23 August 1999 ==================================================================== Cortes P. Taylor, veteran of the Civil war, pioneer Wisconsin business man and farmer and for some years a prominent merchant of Barron City, was born in Waukegan Village, Wis., Jan. 30, 1845, son of Philo C. and Mary Jane (Buckland) Taylor. Philo C. Taylor was born in Cataraugus county, New York, in 1818 and was descended from Revolutionary stock. His wife was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., and was descended from both Mayflower and Revolutionary stock. They came to Wisconsin in the early thirties and settled in Walworth county, then a wilderness. For a while he followed his trade as a carpenter and millwright and then became a farmer. He died in Vernon county, Wisconsin, about 1887. His wife died about 1882. Cortes P. Taylor was reared amid pioneer conditions and was able to secure but little schooling, his educational attendance being limited to six months a year from the time he was seven until the time he was ten years of age. This meager training he has supplemented by wide reading and close observation, and there are today few better informed men of his age in the county. In 1864 he enlisted in the 39th Wisconsin Volunteer infantry under the 100-day call and served 127 days. He was then taken ill, but after his recovery re-enlisted in February, 1865, in the 37th Wisconsin Volunteer infantry, participating in the Battle of Petersburg and serving until after the surrender of General Lee, receiving his discharge at Madison, Wis., in August, 1865. He then spent a few months with his parents after which he went to Sparta, Wis., and with a comrade and tent mate as a companion, secured employment as a woodchopper. In two months and a half he cut 252 cords of 4-foot wood for which he received $1.00 a cord and boarded himself. The following summer he cradled grain and did other farm work at very small wages. He also spent considerable time for some years in the forest, hunting and trapping the bears, lynx and wildcats in which Wisconsin then abounded. He became a famous marksman and was widely known for his ability. In 1866 he purchased 40 acres of wild land in Clinton township, Vernon county, this state, and erected thereon a cabin of hewed logs, one of the best in the vicinity at that time. With this beginning he cleared and developed the land and later opened a small store. In 1879 he once more did the same thing, purchased 40 acres, built a cabin, did a little farming, and operated a store. His next location was at Cashton village, Monroe county, this state, where he built a store building and engaged in the general mercantile business. Starting with $450 he built up the establishment to such an extent that in a few years he was carrying a stock valued at $10,000. In 1890 he sold out and came to Barron City, this county, where he bought a general mercantile business from his cousin, J. W. Taylor. Five years later he gave up the general line and devoted himself exclusively to the dry goods and clothing business. This he sold in 1902 and retired. Shortly after coming here he acquired three excellent building lots on La Salle street. On the middle of these he erected one of the best brick business blocks in Barron this he sold in 1918, having earlier disposed of the two lots. That same year he sold his pleasant summer cottage on Poskin lake, in this county. He still owns a comfortable home on La Salle street and is enjoying a life of tranquility after the many busy years of worthy endeavor. Mr. Taylor is a Republican in politics and has served as town supervisor of Barron township. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church and a strong temperance advocate. He is associated with Martin Watson post, No. 172, G. A. R. Mr. Taylor was married May 2, 1867, to Thurza J. Perkins, daughter of Lewis B. and Harriet Perkins. This union has resulted in five children: Harriet J., Charles C., Myron E., Carrie May and Raymond C. Harriet J. was born March 12, 1868, and died in 1882. Charles C. was born Sept. 10, 1871, and is a practitioner in Barron City. Myron E. was born Oct. 22, 1878, married Catherine Ditmar, and has two children, Harrison and Charles. He devoted all his early life to study and was graduated from the Evanston (Ill.) Theological seminary. He makes his home at Rice Lake, this county, and travels over the country doing evangelical work in connection with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which denomination he is an ordained clergyman. He has been very successful in his chosen calling and his life is resulting in much good. Carrie May was born May 18, 1889, and keeps house for her father. Raymond C. was born March 9, 1893, and is taking a commercial course in the University of Wisconsin. He served two years in the World war with the 34th infantry. He was in the front trenches 42 days, saw active service at the Argonne and at Vimey Ridge, and was wounded five times, in both legs, in the shoulder and in the head. He was left on the field for dead but crawled to cover, and after lying seven months in a hospital was returned to the States. Mrs. C. P. Taylor died Sept. 23, 1918. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 96-97.