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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union and
Morrow, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co.
1895
<BACK TO
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 1880>
<BACK TO
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 1908>
<BACK TO
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 1895>
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J. B. TAYLOR, who is one
of the rising young physicians of Broadway, Ohio, and whose enviable
reputation is recognized by the public and by his professional
brethren as well, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in the town of
Norton, Dec. 6, 1846, and is a son of Elam and Mary Ann (Glaze)
Taylor. The maternal grandparents were natives of
Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents, Joel and Elizabeth
(Irvin) Taylor, were natives of Connecticut, and came to Ohio
about the year 1810, locating on the farm now owned by John
Grady, near Inskip's Corners, Marlboro township, Delaware
county. Elam Taylor came into possession of that place
on his father's death, but lost it by going bail for a friend.
He was a man of considerable local influence, whose sagacity and
judgment were much respected, and for many years he held the office
of Justice of the Peace in Troy township, Delaware county. He
later resided in Norton and there held the same office. He is
well known throughout the surrounding country as a most successful
veterinary surgeon, and is a straightforward, honorable man.
His wife died in 1850.
The Taylor family was well and ably represented
during the late war, for the father and four sons donned the blue
and aided in the defense of the Union, the aggregate of their terms
of service amounting to more than twelve years. Elam Taylor
enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, participated in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and
soon thereafter was honorably discharged on account of physical
disability. He was born near Norton, Delaware county, Jan. 24,
1815, and died June 6, 1884. Adam H., his eldest child,
born Dec. 4, 1837, enlisted in Apr., 1861, in Company A, Fourth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and was transferred to the Second United States
Cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war. He is
still living. George Albert enlisted in the same
company and regiment, and was one of the first two volunteers from
Marlboro township. He was rejected at Camp Dennison on account
of his small stature, but again enlisted, June 13, 1861, in Company
C, Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Delaware, Ohio. At
the battle of Chickamauga he was taken prisoner, confined in Libby
prison, taken thence to Danville, and later to Andersonville prison,
Georgia, at which place he died from scurvy, in September, 1864.
He now lies in an unmarked grave, like many of the brave boys who
left pleasant homes and laid down their lives on the altar of their
country. Henry Walter Taylor enlisted in Company B,
Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Sept. 18, 1861, at Delaware,
Ohio; was captured at Carrion Cross bayou, Louisiana, Nov. 3, 1863,
and confined in a rebel prison at Austin, Texas, for a period of six
months. He was discharged Mar. 9, 1866, at Galveston, Texas,
and, remaining in the South, afterward married a Southern lady, by
whom he had two children. His father-in-law, a rank rebel,
killed him near Summit, Mississippi, in 1872, and he was buried at
that place. His wife and son now reside in Gloster,
Mississippi, and his daughter, Dora, was brought North by
Dr. Taylor and has married a Northern man, Mr. W. R. Willis,
of Broadway, Ohio. Mary E. Taylor, the only daughter of
Elam Taylor, was born Dec. 4, 1850.
The gentleman whose name heads this record was early
thrown upon his own resources. Upon his mother's death, which
occurred when he was scarcely four years of age, the family was
broken up, and the little boy was thus thrown upon the cold indeed
he found them. He lived with various families until his
eleventh year, and during that time manifested great aptitude for
study, easily mastering the contents of the books to which he had
access and making the facts therein gleaned his own. During
his eleventh year his father placed him with a certain family to
work for his board and clothes, with the understanding that he was
to be treated as a member of the family, and was to receive a horse,
saddle and bridle when he had attained his majority. The aged
lady, who presided over the household, however, proved to be of a
very eccentric turn of mind and he was abused, mistreated and
whipped most unmercifully and so completely was he held in
subjection that he did not dare to give a true account of the
circumstances, but when questioned concerning his treatment, would
invariably reply "I like my home." For more than four years he
endured that treatment without complaining, for he believed himself
a "bound boy" and did not dare run away. It was his earnest
desire to attend school, but he was permitted to do so only through
a very short portion of the year. H managed, however, to
secure books from the township library and other sources, and thus
succeeded in gaining knowledge which has proven of incalculable
benefit to him in later years.
When, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, his brothers
enlisted in the service, he ran away from his so-called "home," but
again he was bound out, and found that fair promises ended in
disappointment. He worked all winter, receiving no money and
little clothing, so he left and went to his father's home (the
father having been again married) and attended school until the
succeeding spring, when he engaged with J. A. Schaaf,
Commissioner of Marion county, Ohio, receiving a salary of $6. per
month. Here Mr. Taylor found friends, and although his
meager earnings went to support his father's family, yet he obtained
many advantages, chief of which was permission to attend school.
The kindness of this family toward the outcast will never be
forgotten. In the autumn of 1862 his father enlisted in the
service, and thus the support of the family devolved entirely upon
him. The Taylors suffered greatly that winter, and
often during the long cold days they had nothing to sustain life
except potatoes and black coffee. But all things must have an
end, and at last the long, weary winter of 1862-3 passed away.
The father returned home, broken down in health, and soon after the
subject of this sketch, who had frequently attempted to enlist, but
who had been rejected on account of his age and size, was accepted
as a member of Company G, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
under Lieutenant James W. Mills, at Ashley, Ohio, and
served as a bugler during the war.
When peace was once more restored, Mr. Taylor
returned to the place of his nativity, for home he had none, and
began work upon a farm. It was his desire to enter school, but
as he had given all his earnings to his father to aid in support of
the family, he could not carry out this cherished plan. On the
21st day of November, he lost all of his few effects in a fire,
barely escaping with his life. In the winter of 1865 he
entered school, and in the summer worked upon a farm, his time being
thus passed until his twenty-third year, - the privilege of
attending school being granted him by reason of his service in the
army when a minor. At the age of twenty-three he began working
for an uncle, John Brunbridge, a wealthy farmer of Marion
county, and this proved a fortunate move on his part, for his two
cousins, "Lide" and "Joe," talented young ladies, graduates of
Granville, Ohio, Female University, took quite a deep interest in
him, placed at his disposal a good library, and aided him in his
studies in many ways.
During this period of his career Mr. Taylor
accumulated some money, and with it he later purchased a house and
lot in Norton, which he placed at the disposal of his father and his
family, and which was occupied by them for many years, without rent.
Our subject was industrious and was now meeting with
fair success, but was not content with his lot, - wishing to enter
upon a professional career. From overwork and study his health
began to fail, and he was advised by Dr. E. H. Hyatt, of
Delaware, Ohio, to study medicine, and not having the ready money to
pay for instruction, he began studying with Dr. Hyatt, paying
for the teaching by office work and such other assistance as he
could render his preceptor. Subsequently he took a course of
lectures in the Columbus Medical College, during the term of 1878-9,
and left that school with ill health and without a cent of money,
but he borrowed $12, and with indomitable energy walked to Green
Camp, Marion county, Ohio, at which place he entered the office of
Dr. Free, with the privilege of "making what he could."
He went there an entire stranger, without recommendations or
diploma, and, through his practice was not heavy, he made enough to
defray expenses and won many warm friends and established a good
reputation as an esteemed citizen and a successful practitioner.
He was there elected and served as Township Clerk.
Returning to college in the winter of 1880, he was
graduated Mar. 3, 1881, and then again went to Green Camp, but
hearing of a scarlet-fever epidemic at Broadway, Ohio, he came to
this village, where he was soon battling with the disease. At
the earnest request of many of the citizens of Broadway, he located
in the town, Mar. 14, 1881, and is still engaged in a lucrative
practice here. His reputation both as a medical practitioner
and surgeon is among the best, and he ranks deservedly high among
his professional brethren. He has successfully performed some
very difficult operations in surgery and although a Democrat, was
appointed an examining surgeon for pensions under President
Harrison's administration, and is still retained on the Board of
Pension Examiners, at Marysville, Ohio.
Dr. Taylor is now serving his second
term as Township Treasurer, and is connected with various fraternal
organizations, being identified with the Masonic order; the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Grand Army
of the Republic. In addition to his business as a physician he
is proprietor of a drug store in Broadway, and also owns a farm near
by.
On the 23d of February, 1882, an important event
occurred in the life of Dr. Taylor, - his marriage to Miss
Emma L. Wolford, of Green Camp, Ohio, daughter of J. G.
Wolford, and their union has been blessed with three children,
namely: Arvilla Blanche, born Oct. 25, 1883, died Sept. 1,
1884; Mamie Alberto, born Aug. 18, 1885; and Hazel Lillian,
born May 29, 1888. The family is one of prominence in this
community, and Dr. and Mrs. Taylor occupy a very enviable
position in social circles.
The Doctor has lived an eventful life, and in the
school of experience has learned many valuable lessons. His
childhood was one of hardship and trial; his youth a period of
struggle; and his manhood a season of well-deserved prosperity.
A man of kindly and genial nature, he is generous to a fault; -
owing perhaps to the broad sympathy which was awakened by his own
early privations.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union and
Morrow, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. 1895 |
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ABRAM THOMSON.—In
northern Maryland, at the village of Taneytown, Abram Thomson was
born, on the 15th of October, 1814. In this tranquil, old-time
village, which was drawn, in spite of itself, into the turbulent
current of history, Abram Thomson spent the first seventeen
years of his life. He was the second son of Hugh Thomson,
who was an officer of the Maryland forces, actively participated in
the defense of his native State and its commercial metropolis
against the British invasion; and at the time of the birth of our
subject, was absent with his command at the front, and very shortly
after that event was sent home wounded from the scene of conflict.
His opportunities for education were meager. There being no public
schools at that time in Maryland, he could attend only the private
schools, which were very inferior. In these he received a mere
rudimentary training; beyond that he was self-taught. Having a
passionate fondness for reading, he was naturally drawn to the
village printing office, in which at the age of fifteen he accepted
an opportunity to learn the business of printing. He accompanied
the office on its removal to Frederick, and from thence, at a later
date, to Westminster. From that place he emigrated, at the age of
eighteen, to New York city, where he was employed as a compositor in
some of the leading printing offices, including that of General
James Watson Webb’s daily Courier and Enquirer, which was then
the leading commercial newspaper of the country, and was absorbed in
what is now the New York World.
By diligent use of the opportunities which he thus obtained,
the young Marylander became thoroughly proficient in his craft. He
acknowledged no superior as a compositor, and was particularly
expert in the management of difficult manuscripts, among which he
had to deal with the hand writing [sic] of Hezekiah Niles
and Horace Greeley, both of whom were then a chirographic
terror to ordinary type-setters.
Summoned by the illness of his father, he returned from New
York to his native village and after a brief stay there, in
September, 1834, at the solicitation of George Sharp, who
then published the only paper in that place, The Gazette, he went to
Delaware, Ohio. Went into partnership with Mr. Sharp and
after a short continuation of the connection it was terminated by
the sale of Mr. Sharp’s interests to Judge David T. Fuller.
Two years later Mr. Thomson purchased Judge Fuller’s
interest, and became sole proprietor, which he has remained from
that time to this excepting a period of six years, from 1865 to
1871, during which a one-half interest was held by Mr. Alfred E.
Lee.
In politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican. In
1847-8 he represented Delaware county in the lower branch of the
Ohio Legislature, and in 1849-50 represented the district composed
of the counties of Franklin and Delaware in the State Senate. Was a
member of the Whig State Central Committee, when, in 1854, it
assembled at the capitol and finally disbanded the organization,
merging it into the Union party, which soon after took the name of
Republican. In 1860 he was one of the Presidential Electors and
with his colleagues cast the vote of the State for Abraham
Lincoln. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster of the city of
Delaware, and was reappointed in 1865, both appointments being made
by President Lincoln. Since retiring from that position,
which he filled with honor to himself and benefit to the public
service, his time and attention have been absorbed by his duties as
editor and proprietor of the Delaware Gazette, of which, for several
years past, he has issued semi-weekly and daily editions.
In local affairs Mr. Thomson has borne a conspicuous
part. The movements and efforts which brought about the
construction of the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railway had his
active participation. During the war of the Rebellion he not only
performed excellent service through the medium of his paper in
supporting the prosecution of the war, but gave ready heart and hand
to the comfort of the soldiers in the field and their dependent
friends and families. On several occasions he has served in the
town council, as an officer of the township in which he resides, and
as a member—usually chairman or secretary—of the Whig and Republican
County Central Committee.
When the State Industrial Home for Girls was established in
1869, Mr. Thomson became, by appointment of Governor Hayes,
a member of its first Board of Trustees. Mr. Thomson served
as member and secretary of this board continuously for nine
years—1869-1878.
Mr. Thomson comes of a long-lived ancestry. He is one
of a family of nine children. At Delaware, on the 17th of December,
1839, he married Miss Delia Storm, who died March 7, 1848,
leaving three children—two sons and a daughter. On the first of
December. 1852, he was married at Urbana, Ohio, to Miss Sallie M.
Wright, of which two sons were born, who with their mother, and
the children of the first marriage, are all yet living.
For the science and practice of horticulture Mr. Thomson
has always had great fondness. Such have been his aptitude for this
subject and the attention he has paid to it that for many years he
has been recognized as a standard authority on horticultural
matters. In the development of the new varieties of flowers and
fruits he has not only had infinite pleasure but marked success.
Within the narrow limits of a town lot he has been able to produce
at one time as many as eighty different species of pears—mostly on
dwarf trees—of which he made a specialty. His grapery has been
noted for the rarity, beauty and luxuriance of its products. The
so-called Delaware grape, which has acquired fame both in this
country and Europe as an unsurpassed hardy variety, owes its
discovery, development and introduction to him.
Such, in brief, is the story of this useful life. It
inculcates many valuable lessons and sets forth many claims to our
respect, but none, perhaps of weightier import than that which is
expressed in the words once uttered in the presence of the writer by
a distinguished citizen of Delaware, now no more: “Abram Thomson is
the soul of integrity.”
Source:
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio;
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 43-45
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist. |
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