Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885
Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Pages 228-229

William Taylor, farmer, section 32, Genesee Township, was born May 16, 1814, in the city of New York. Stephen Taylor, his grandfather, was born in the State of New York, and descended from ancestors of New England origin. He died about 1840 in Onondaga Co., N. Y. His wife, who was born Rebecca Emmett, was of Irish parentage and died in Elbridge, Onondaga County. Tunis, the second son of the latter, and father of Mr. Taylor of this sketch, was  born in the State of New York, where he spent his life, and died in 1864, in Wayne County, aged about 63 years. He married Catherine Clelland, who was also born in the State of Neew York, and descended from ancestors who came to America from Holland. She died Aug. 26, 1864, in Waybed County, aged 50 years.

Mr. Taylor is the third child of his parents, and he was a very small boy when they moved into the woods of Onondaga. He obtained his education in the pioneer school-houses of that county, which were built of scantling cut from logs, the structures being built in the same method or plan on which log houses were built. He attained to man's estate on his father's farm, and was married March 2, 1834, in Wayne County, to Eunice M. Olmstead. Following is the record of their children: Calista A., born Aug. 23, 1835, married J. H. Hewitt, a farmer in Chickasaw Co., Iowa. James C. was born May 13, 1837, and married Louise Edson for his first wife. She died, leaving two children: James E. and Sylvia. He was a second time married to Mary Lucinda Bruner, and they reside on a farm in Genesee Township. Jerusha, now Mrs. Dowd, is the wife of a farmer in Genesee Township. Eunice married Ransom B. Johnson and lives in Ottawa Co., Kan. Lucy is the wife of Scott Sortor, of Chickasaw Co., Iowa. Rosalia, now the wife of Jacob Buzzard, is a resident of Brown Co., D.T.  S.W. is deceased. Tunis became a soldier in the Union army and was killed by a minie ball at the battle of Perryville, Ky. Mary died in infancy. John H. is deceased.

On settling in life, Mr. Taylor established his family on a farm in his native State, and they were there resident until 1852. In that  year he came West and purchased 80 acres of land on section 32, Genesee Township, which had not then known the plow or any other element or influence to develp its fruitfulness. The entire tract is under cultivation, and he has deeded 40 acres to his son. In October, 1867, he was appointed Postmaster at the place where he lives, and has since officiated in that position. He was a Democrat at the outset of his political career, but some years since became a Republican. He is holding the position of Justice of the Peace. He and his wife were reared in the tenets of the Presbyterian Church.