Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 150

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 150

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Francis Taylor, youngest son of Captain and Sallie Adams Taylor, is the connecting link be- tween the old "Connecticut Historical Collec- tions" and this new history.

TAYLOR, Francis .- There is particular satis- faction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentleman whose name introduces this review. His life history illustrates most hap- pily what may be attained by faithful and con- tinued effort In carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success. His birth oc- curred at Westport, Fairfield County, Conn., NO- vember 27, 1821. His father, Capt. Daniel Tay- lor, was also a native of Connecticut. The fam- ily is of English origin and was established in the Charter Oak State, at a very early (1640) epoch in its development. Francis Taylor was reared and married in Connecticut. He wedded Henrietta B. Morehouse, also a native of Connec- ticut, and for some years he carried on agricul- tural pursuits there. After the birth of two of his children, however, he came to Illinois, locating at Bates in 1851. There he followed farming for. a few years and in 1858, he removed to a farm near New Berlin. He commenced with eighty acres of land, but subsequently added to his property from time to time until within the boundaries of his farm were comprised 500 acres. He was very successful as an agriculturist and stock-raiser, and spent the last years of his life in New Berlin and died here in November, 1888. He was twice married, his first wife passing away in Sangamon County about 1863. Later he married again, his second wife being Harriet Rumsey, second daughter of Aaron Burr and Lucetta (Crane) Rumsey. She was born on Compo Beach near Westport, Conn. By this union, four children were born. There were also four children by the first marriage-Mary, the wife of Frank G. Coulter, a resident farmer of Sangamon County; A. J., residing In New Ber- lin; Francis I. also resides inNew Berlin and owns and operates a farm; and Edward H., a farmer residing at Bates, Illinois. The children of the second marriage are Charles R., an agri- culturist of Sangamon County, also a lawyer by profession, having been admitted to the Sanga- mon County Bar; William, who died in his twenty-fourth year; Harriet S., who is a physi- cian of Springfield; and Frederick D., who Is engaged in business iu Chicago.

Mr. Taylor was a man of many sterling qual- ities, his tastes being strongly domestic, and all of his leisure hours were devoted to his family and in social relations. He manifested qualitles which gained for him the good will, confidence

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and friendly regard of those with whom he was associated. Ile watched with interest the prog- ress and Improvement of the county, co-operating as he found opportunity, in its upbuilding, and he received the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of his years.

TAYLOR, Francis I., a representative farmer of New Berlin, Ill., a man of sterling integrity, prominent in the business and social interests of his community, is a native son of Sangamon County, born on his father's farm at Bates, July 26, 1857. His father, Francis Taylor, was born at Westport, Conn., November 27, 1821, married Henrietta B. Morehouse, a native of the same place, and came to Illinois in 1851. He spent some time on a farm near Bates, which was owned by Morris Ketchum, of New York, and subsequently moved to the neighborhood east of New Berlin, where he occupied an eighty-acre farm. He engaged in mercantile business In the village about 1881, and his son Francis 1, became his partner in this enterprise after he had com- pleted hls education. Francis and Henrietta (Morehouse) Taylor had three sons : Francis I., Albert J. and Edward H. Albert J. Taylor was born at Westport, Conn., and is unmarried. Ed- ward H. Taylor was born May 7, 1860, and March 4, 1891, married Minnie E. Coulter. There was also one daughter by this marriage, Mary, wife of Frank G. Coulter. Mrs. Taylor died in Sangamon County about 1863 and Mr. Taylor married a second time, there being four children born of this unlon. The Taylor family is of English descent and was early established In Connecticut. Francis Taylor was a son of Dan. Taylor, also a native of Connecticut. Fran- cis Taylor dled at his home in New Berlin, In November, 1888. He nad purchased eighty acres of land upon coming to the vicinity of New Ber- lin and had been able to add to his holdings un- til he owned 500 acres. His last years were spent In the village.

For a number of years, Francis I. Taylor was engaged in mercantile business with his father and after the latter's death continued the busi- ness until the destruction of the building and stock by fire in the summer of 1894. His brother Albert J. afterwards erected a building to re- place the old one, but Francis I. then turned his attention to farming. He Is one of the leading farmers of his county and owns land in Sanga- inon, Christian and Macoupin Counties, Ill .. amountIng to about 1,000 acres, besides farm land in Nebraska, being a man of remarkable judg- ment in his business investments and an enter- prising, energetic farmer. He received excellent business training under his father's supervisiou and has turned his ablllty in this direction to very good account.

In political belief, Mr. Taylor Is a stanch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and although the township is overwhelmingly Democratic, he was elected to the office of Su- pervisor in 1906. He served twelve years as Postmaster of New Berlin. He is popular among

his neighbors and identified with the best inter- ests of his township and county. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and active in its work.

June 25, 1884, Mr. Tayior married Mlss Min- nie L., daughter of Henry and Louisa (Arenz) Yates, who is a cousin of Richard Yates, her father belng a brother of the older Richard Yates, the noted War Governor of Illinois, Mrs. Taylor was born at Berlin, Ill., October 9, 1859. Her father was born March 7, 1835, also at Berlin, son of Henry Yates, who was born in Caroline County, Va., October 29, 1786, and her mother was born at Beardstown, Ill., June 14, 1836, a daughter of Hon. Francis Arenz. Five children were born to Mr. Taylor and his wife: Nellle Y., March 19, 1885; Frank M., April 6, 1887; Harry Y., Juue 29, 1889; Thomas Rhea, August 16, 1892; Willlam L., November 17, 1895.

TAYLOR, Prof. John Edward-To be an in- structor means much in these days of aggres- sive, methods, and Springfield has some of the best inen in this line to be found in the entire State. One who has been attracting consid- erable attention on account of his ablilty, strength of purpose and excelleut methods, is John Edward Taylor, Principal of the Trapp School, ot Springfield. He was born near Williamsville, Ill., March 30, 1866, being a son of Isaac Jefferson Taylor.

Long before the Revolution three brothers- Isaac, James and William Taylor-came from England. Where James and William settled we are unable to find out but Isaac settled in Maryland. He moved to Chester District, S. C. One of his sons, John. moved with his family to Barron County, Ky. ; to White County, Ill .; to Wayne County, Ill .; in 1829 to Sangamon Connty, and in 1849 to Davls County, Iowa, where he died in 1856. Seventeen children were born to him, three of whom-Simeon, Isaac and James-remalned in Sangamon Connty, near where Barclay now stands, where they reared large farullies.

James was the father of twelve children, one of whom, Isaac Jefferson Taylor, was the fa- ther of John E. Taylor.

After attending school at Williamsville and the National Normal of Lebanon, Ohio, Mr. Taylor began teaching at the Lakeside School near Eikhart, in Logan County, Iil. He taught there for one term, then taught five terms at the Smith school near Williamsville, in the dis- trict where he was born. For a year he taught at Buffalo Hart, and for two years at the Knuckoll's school near Auburn. For a year he taught at the Jordan school near Dawson and for a year was at the Woolsey school near An- burn. For the following three years he tanght the Fletcher school at Auburn. He was then made Principal of the Cantrall school at Can- trall, Ill., where he remained three years. and for one year was Principal of the Athens school but resigned the second term to take the same position with the Williamsville school, which

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

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he held for two years, resigning in 1904, the third year, when he was called to the Trapp School, a ward school of Springfield, where for the succeeding seven years he has been its effi- cient head.

On June 24, 1SS6, Mr. Taylor was married, at Elkhart, Ill., to Loulsa Seil, born near that town, May 8, 1867, daughter of Andrew Sell, a native of Germany, who married Mary J. Turley, of Elkhart. Mr. Taylor's father died in 1895, but his widow survives, being now sixty-ulne years old. Mr. aud Mrs. Taylor be- came the parents of one child, Alice, born April 29, 1887.

Mr. Taylor belongs to Tyrian Lodge No. 333, A. F. & A. M .; Modern Woodmen of America at Auburn; Court of Honor, Camp No. 1 at Auburn; Yeomen of America at Williamsville and K. of P. at Cantrali. The West Side Christlan Church, of Springfieid holds his mem- bership, and on January 1, 1911, he was made one of its deacons. In politles he is an inde- pendent Democrat. He owns a beautiful two- story home at No. 713 South State Street. A man of culture and wide reading, Mr. Tayior is eminently fitted to hold his present respon- sible position. Not only is he a close student, but he loves his work and is proud of the ad- vancement his pupils show.

TAYLOR, Lewis Cass, M. D., who has for many years been established in the practice of his profession in Springfield, is looked upon as one of that clty's most enterprising aud progressive citizens. He is well known in Springfield aud Sangamon County, where most of his life has been speut, and stands well in his professlon. He was born in Williamsville, Ill., April 9, 1854, and is a son of Ninian R. and Catherine (Hal- bert) Taylor. Ninian R. Tayior was a mer- chant by occupation, aud a promluent citizen of Williamsville.

The early education of Dr. Taylor was ac- quired in the public schools; iater he attended Eureka College, and he received his medical tralning at Bellevue Hospital and Medical Col- lege in New York City. He entered upon prac- tice after receiving his degree, and has for some- time been a resident of Springfield. He has wou a reputation for skill and ability, and is a mem- ber of the county, State and American Medical Societies. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order and has takeu the degree of Knight Templar. He is unmarried and resides on East Washington Street, having an office in the National Bank Building.

TAYLOR, Robert R. (deceased), was a valued citizen of Sangamon County for many years and a veterau of the Civil War. He was born at Portland, Me., September 21, 1840, and there spent hls boyhood and youth. His father, Rich- ard Taylor, also a native of that State, was a shlp-builder by trade and worked most of his life in Portiand. He aud his wife had twenty- one children. The parents died In Portiand. As

a young man Robert R. Taylor worked with his father and iearned the same trade, which he followed untii coming to Illinois. When he first came to this State he spent a few years in Chicago and there iearned the trade of a brick mason, which he followed for some time. Later he followed farming a few years in Lanes- ville Township, Sangamon County, and for five years lived in Mechanicsburg, after which he removed to Niantic, and there hls death oc- curred in 1890.

Mr. Taylor was an industrious, enterprising business man and made many friends. He was a member of the Methodist Church, a Democrat in politics and took an active interest in the welfare of his community. For many years he belonged to the G. A. R. He was married at Decatur, Iil., in 18SS, to Miss Susan Deins, who was born in England, November 25, 1848. Her father, Edmund Deins, was a music teacher and died in England, after which the mother came to America and lived in Sangamon County uutil her death, in 1894, at the home of Mrs. Tayior. Of the thirteen children born to Mr. Deins and wife the only survivor is the daughter Susan. Eight children were born to Mr. Taylor aud wife, of whom the only survivor is one son, Wii- liam H., in the employ of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad Company, at Springfield. Mr. Taylor's widow married Mr. Brock and now resides in Iiliopolis, where she owns a pleasant home and other property.

TAYLOR, William Biddle .- Among the most practical and painstaking farmers and stock raisers of Sangamon County is to be numbered William Blddle Taylor. of Section 6, Gardner Township, born in the townshlp, June 1, 1843, a son of William B. and Beulah (Smith) Tay- lor, both natives of New Jersey, where they inarried, in June, 1830, the ceremony being performed by Jacob G. Smith. The father was born near Salmon Bay, December 25, 1800, while she was born December 19, 1810. In 1838 re- moval was muade to Illinols and settlement inade In Gardner Township. They had seven chil- dren, slx of them surviving: John L,, of Ari- zona ; Roxana, of Michigan; Maria, of Fredonia, Kan .; Josephine, of Mason City, Ill .; William B .; Abigail, of Fredonla, Kan.

William B. Taylor Sr. located on the Beards- town Road, iu Gardner Township, and there died about 1849, wheu William Biddle Taylor was about seven years oid. His widow sur- vived until about 1860, when she too passed away.

Growing up on the homestead, Williamu Biddle Taylor remained with his mother, obtaining what educational advantages he could. The famlly were poor and when he was only ten years old he assumed charge of the farm work, trying to operate the sixty acres of land left them. He went about among the ueighbors try- ing to secure any kind of work that would earn lıim an honest dollar, and worked too hard for his childish strength. However, being very

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strong, he was able to do a man's work even in childhood. When he was twenty-six, In 1867, he was able to buy 114 acres in Gardner Town- ship. On it he found a small frame house, but no haru, and to it he brought his sisters and began to develop a good farm. He soon hegan to feed a few hogs and cattle, aud finding them so profitable, enlarged his operations. His farm consisted of eighty acres of prairie and thirty- four acres of heavy timber, so that he worked almost incessantly. He alternately hauled corn and rails he split from his timber, finding a market for both commodities at Springfield. As soon as he had his first purchase under control he bought more land, now owning 274 acres of as fine land as can be seen in Sangamon County. .Owing to his strenuous labor and neglect of his health, Mr. Taylor suffered from rheumatism for two years, which stopped his work of acquir- ing more land. After spending much money and effort with several specialists, Mr. Tayior called in old Dr. Higgins, who cured him, so he has not been bothered since.

On October 16. 1879, Mr. Tayior married Elizabeth Campbell, a native of Ashland, Ohio, where she was born in 1845 and was brought to Illinois in 1858 by her parents. She has two brothers, Rush A., a farmer of Gardner Town- ship, and Burr, of Mexico. Mr. and Mrs. Camp- beii are hoth deceased, as are four of their seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other heing John L., born July 7, 1881. IIe has always lived on the farm, and is helping ils father operate it. Being a good mechanic, he has equipped a shop with all kinds of tools for repairing and sharpening farm machinery. No city shop is better equipped, and his work com- pares favorably with any done in Springfield. The young man was married September 3, 1907, at Peoria, Ill., to Ethel B. Wiseman, born near Petersburg, Ill., January 1, 1SSS, daughter of Jacoh J. and Carrie (Hornbuckle) Wiseman. They beiong to leading families of that local- ity. One child has heen horn of this union, little Wiliiam Jacoh Hoyle Taylor, born May 31, 1909.

The Taylor farm Is one of the neatest in that part of the county. The buildings and machin- ery are in perfect order, there is a place for anything, and nothing is left out of piace. The stock is of the best grade standard breed, and a specialty is made of Poland-China hogs, which are shipped to adjacent markets. Mr. Taylor is a man to whom farming comes naturally and his long training makes him an agricultur- ist of wide experience. One of the truly self- made men of Sangamon County, he has earned his 274 acres by toll such as few men ever go through with, and by overcoming all obstacles has raised himself to his present position of comfort. Meanwhile, he has done much to ad- vance his community. He takes pride in relat- ing his early experiences, stating that he was in field and meadow early and late, from the time of spring planting until after the crops were harvested, after which he had to haul

his produce to Springfield. His physicai strength and endurance are remarkable, for few men could have withstood such a drain upon their health as continued and unremitting hard work.

Mr. Taylor has seen wonderful changes ef- fected. Good roads have been cut through the prairie; the land has heen transformed into rich farms, while cities and towns have sprung up along the line of railroads not thought of when he was a boy. Telephone service draws the farmers together and keeps them in close touch with the outside world. He has kept ahreast of inventious and scientific methods In his work, and his farm and premises show the character of the owner and his son, who has assisted him so materialiy.

TEATER, Terrence B .- The Iiiinois Central Railroad Company gives employment to some of the most substantial men in Springfield, who are located in the city because of their connec- tion with this great road. One of the men thus identified with it is Terrence B. Teater, car in- spector at the roundhouse, who resides on his property on East Washington Street, and has heid his present responsible position for the past quarter of a century. He was born on a farm near Latrohe, Westmoreland County. Pa., February 13, 1851. a son of Wliliam N. Teater and wife, natives of the same county. The pa- ternal grandfather, Henry Teater, came to the United States from Germany, locating In West- moreland County, Pa., where he farmed until his demise.

William Teater migrated to Shelby County, Ili., arriving there October 11, 1863, and huying a farm in Big Spring Township, where the mother passed away, in 1889, aged sixty-nine years. His life-companion heing gone, the father went to live with his son Leander, then a resi- dent of Tennessee, and it was at the home of this son that he died, in 1895, aged seventy-six years. The children born to him and his wife were: Sarah Ann, wife of Samuel Sigfried, died in Covington, Tenn., in 1907; James L. and Peter Henry both died in Shelby County; Amos, of Covington, Tenn .; Leander, now of Hampton, Ark .; Mary E., deceased, and Terrence. Peter Henry served during the Civil War and had the unhappy experience of heing taken prisoner at the battle of Gettyshurg.

Terrence Teater was twelve years old when he was hrought to Ililnois, and received a good common school education In Shelby County, un- til he was seventeen years old. He was brought up to farm work, but upon leaving school en- tered the empioy of the "Big Four" as fireman. At the end of the third year he commenced working in their shops at Mattoon, Ill .. continu- ing there until 1883, when he was employed by the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Company as car repairer. In 1880 he was made car inspector for the Illinois Central Railroad, and placed in the roundhouse at Springfield, and this city has since continued to be his home.

The first marriage of Mr. Teater took piace In

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1878 when he was united with Mary Keithley, of Belleville, Il1. She bore him two children : Ho- nora, Mrs. Albert Chatterman of Clinton, Ill., and Aurora May, Mrs. Clarence Toons, of Clin- ton, Ill. Mr. Teater was again married, in 1SS5, to Miss Maggie Freelove, no issue. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the International Association of Car Workers. Politically he is a Democrat. While not con- nected with any religious denomination, Mr. Teater believes in moral uplift, and is anxious to secure good government. He is a conscien- tious worker, giving his company his best ef- forts, and his value is appreciated by officials and men alike. In his home Mr. Teater is a considerate husband and father, and is proud of his family. He feels satisfied with what he has accomplished, for his advancement has been secured through merit. He has lived to see his daughters happily married, and grateful to him for educating and caring for them.

It is such quen as Mr. Teaters who form the backbone of any nation. Quiet, unassuming, steadily working at the duties each day brings, they are a force in themselves that is powerful. and all the more felt because it does not appear on the surface, but permeates society and shows that good, honest endeavor will prevail in the end.

TEMPLEMAN, James W., a prominent and successful young attorney who has been en- gaged in practice in Springfield for several years, has held various public offices of honor and trust in Illinois. Mr. Templeman was born in Owen County, Ky., August 31, 1876, a son of Thomas P. and Lutitia (Donley) Templeman. The family moved on a farm in Wayne County. Ill .. in 1880, and there James W. Templeman received his early education. He tanght school four years in the country and served one year as Principal of the Wayne City School. He also served four years as County Superintendent of Schools in Wayne County, be- ing the first Democrat elected to this office for sixteen years. He served as a member of the Forty-fifth General Assembly of Illinois. He was an able and conscientious School Superin- tendent, and during his term in the Legislature introduced a bill fixing a minimum salary for public school teachers.

Mr. Templeman pursued his legal studies while serving as County Superintendent of Schools, and was admitted to the Bar in Wayne County. fil., in 1907, soon after which he came to Spring- field and engaged in the active practice of his profession. and secured a good clientele. He is prominent in fraternal circles and is con- nected with the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pytitias, the Modern Woodinen of America, the Court of Honor and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is actively interested in every measure and movement for the progress or development of the community where he has established him- self, and is a useful and representative citizen.

Mr. Templeman is now - identified with The Reisch Indemnity Company.

Mr. Templeman was married August 29, 1900, to Miss Erma Garrison, of Washington County, Ill., daughter of S. C. Garrison, a farmer of that county, and three children have been born of this union : James D., Veda E. and Elizabeth I .. Mr. Templeman and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Templeman is the only lady attorney in Sangamon County and was ad- mitted to the Bar in Wayne County in 1907. She is a graduate of the Centralia High School and attended the Sonthern Illinois Normal Uni- versity at Carbondale, Ill .. three years. The family reside at 232 West Cedar Street, Spring- field.

TERRENT, Michael J., now retired from active life and living in Springfield, Ill., where he has resided since June, 1866, was born in County Cork, Ireland, September 29, 1846. He is a son of William and Mary (Russell) Terrent, both natives of County Cork, Ireland. The father died there and in 1876 the mother came to America and located in Springfield, where she remained one year, then went to Boston, Mass., where her death occurred in 1897. Her sons William and Daniei were living in Sangamon County at the time of the Civil War. The for- mer died in Boston, in 1891, and the latter died in New York, in 1889.

The boyhood of Michael J. Terrent was speut in his native country and he was educated in- the public schools there. His father, who was a coachman, died when Michael was a small boy. After leaving school he became a long- shoreman and after coming to this country was employed loading and unloading boats and sim- ilar work, in New York, where he spent abont one year. He came to the United States in 1865 and soon afterward to Springfield. He worked ten years for Messrs. Kidd & Stratt, contractors, worked twenty years in the rolling mills in Springfield, then accepted a position as janitor at the Springfield Watch Factory, where he spent six and one-half years, and about ten years ago retired from active life. He has been a most industrious and thrifty worker and now owns a beautiful home at 333 Elliott Avenue. He is a devont member of St. Joseph's Cath- olic Church and in politics is a Democrat. He is affiliated with the Loyal Americans. He is respected as an upright and useful citizen and has many friends.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 150

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774