TAYLOR, William

TAYLOR, SHEPARD, SOPER, WILSON

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 13:11:37

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

WILLIAM TAYLOR.

William Taylor is a leading representative of the business interests of Clinton, Iowa, being president and treasurer of the Clinton Novelty Iron works, whose office and shop are located at 114-118 Eighth avenue. A native of New York, he was born in Albany county, March 23, 1835, and is a son of John and Susan (Shepard) Taylor, also natives of the Empire state. He was reared upon a farm and remained at home until twenty years of age, when he went to Warren, Massachusetts, and served an apprenticeship as a mechanic, thoroughly mastering the machinist’s trade. He then started out as a journeyman machinist, and came west, arriving in Moline, Illinois, in 1856. For some time he was in the employ of Williams & White at that place, and then, desiring to see more of the west, he went to northeastern Kansas. He visited various places and finally drifted back to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked as a mechanic in a tub and bucket manufactory and later engaged as brakeman on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad until the Civil war broke out.

At the president’s first call for troops Mr. Taylor enlisted for three months in Company H, Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered into the United States service at Indianapolis, and on the expiration of that time he re-enlisted in the Second Indiana Battery, with which he served three years, taking part in sixteen battles. He was then honorably discharged and returned to Albany, New York, where he spent one year working at his trade.

In 1865 Mr. Taylor came to Clinton, Iowa, as engineer in the W. J. Young Mills, and was superintendent of the same for twenty years. In 1894, in partnership with his brothers Lucius O. and John, he bought a tract of vacant land, which they filled in from six to eight feet, and then built thereon the Clinton Novelty Iron Works, one hundred by one hundred and forty feet in dimensions. Here they manufactured steam and gas engines and do all kinds of repair work to machines, having the most modern lathes and machinery for such purposes. They keep only the best and most skilled mechanics, and furnish employment to as many as twenty men, including general mechanics, founders and wood workers. They are also agents for the Dodge wooden pulleys. Out subject purchased his brothers’ interests in the business in 1898, and has since admitted to partnership H. S. Wilson, who is now secretary of the company. They are now at the head of a large and flourishing trade, which is constantly increasing, as the work which they turn out is first class in every particular.

In 1867 Mr. Taylor married Miss Alice V. Soper, a native of Rome, New York, and a daughter of Hiram Soper, of Clinton, Iowa. She is a most estimable woman, who makes many friends, and presides with gracious dignity over their pleasant home at 326 Tenth avenue. Besides this house, Mr. Taylor also built another at 311 the same street, which he sold. Unto our subject and his wife were born four children, namely: William J., who died at the age of twenty-six years; Susie; Eva; and Belle, wife of H. S. Wilson, who is now engaged in business with our subject.

In his social relations Mr. Taylor is a member of the Grand Army Post of Clinton, and in religious views is liberal. As a business man he is straight forward and reliable, and has won success by his well directed, energetic efforts, the prosperity that has come to him being certainly well deserved.