Taylor, James A.

TAYLOR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 20:22:56

James A. Taylor

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.502)
JAMES A. TAYLOR, one of the best known pioneers of the county, and a resident of Washington Township, has been a resident of this county for 40 years. He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, February 24, 1831, a son of Pleasant TAYLOR, a native of Tennessee and an old pioneer of this county. His father, Burzil TAYLOR, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Pleasant TAYLOR was married in Montgomery County, Indiana, to Jane ALLISON, a daughter of James ALLISON, who was born in Pennsylvania. They had five children, viz.: James A., our subject; Mary E. GORDON of Oklahoma; Thomas and Pleasant, deceased; and William H. of Silver Creek Township, Pottawattamie County. They lived in Indiana until about 1840, when they moved to Missouri, then to Illinois, and in 1843 they came to Iowa and lived in Wapello County until 1850; then they came to Pottawattamie County and bought a Mormon claim in Silver Creek Township, being the first Gentile in the vicinity. Some years later, he sold out and came to Washington Township and bought the place where he now lives. His wife died in June 1868. Several years after her death, he married Sidney WEBB, with whom he still lives.

James A. TAYLOR, our subject, was about 20 years old when he came to this county. His education was obtained in the log schoolhouses of that period. In 1858, he took charge of a saw and grist mill on Silver Creek for two years. He subsequently purchased 120 acres of land and at once commenced its improvement. He now has a well improved farm of 400 acres, one of the best in Washington Township. In 1886 he erected a good house, which cost $1,500. It is built in modern style and is well furnished throughout. A grove of 55 acres and orchard nearby makes his home an attractive one. Both general farming and stock raising are carried on here. Mr. TAYLOR was married in Pottawattamie County in 1859, to Miss Maria E. PILES, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1839. Her father, James PILES, was born in Ohio in 1804 and died in that state at the age of fifty. Her mother, Margaret (ENGLISH) PILES, was born in Pennsylvania in 1810 and died in this county at the age of forty seven. Mr. And Mrs. TAYLOR have had nine children, viz.: Mary E., wife of G. W. HAMILTON, and a resident of Washington Township; William M., Henry P., who married December 4, 1889, Ada M. COLE, a teacher in Pottawattamie County and is a resident also of Washington Township; Isaac, John, Martha Ellen (died in 1882), Alice M., Ira J. and Margaret J.

Mr. TAYLOR is a Democrat in politics. He has served the public as Township Trustee and as a member of the School Board. He, Henry and John are associated with the Masonic Order, Coral Lodge, No. 430 at Carson. He and his wife, Henry and wife, John and Alice are members of the Order of Eastern Star. Mr. TAYLOR is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a fireside companion, Mr. TAYLOR is jovial and cordial. He is well informed on all general topics and is a good story-teller. He is regarded as one of the popular and worthy citizens of Pottawattamie County.