William H. Taylor

TAYLOR, ATTRILL, ROYCE, THOMAS, WELLS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/18/2011 at 20:31:03

WILLIAM H. TAYLOR is noted for his industrious habits and enterprising spirit, and is one of the largest land-owners in Fairfield Township, Grundy County, where he has an estate comprising three hundred and fifty broad acres. He is an Englishman by birth, having been born in Hampshire, November 26, 1836, and was a lad of twelve years when he sailed for the United States.

Our subject is the son of William and Louisa (Attrill) Taylor, also natives of the British Isle, and there Grandfather Andrew Taylor was born. The latter gentleman was a sailor, and when ready to “follow the land” made his home in America. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Thomas Attrill, of Welsh descent, and she was born and educated in the Isle of Wight. After her marriage and the birth of several of her children, she accompanied the family on their emigration to Canada, and there died on a farm at an advanced age. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father of our subject, who likewise held membership in the above church, died in Canada in his seventy-fifth year.

William H. Taylor began to make his own way in the world at the age of seventeen years, and on coming to the United States was first occupied as a farm hand in Wisconsin. This work he alternated with his trade of a shoemaker. In 1856, upon coming to Grundy County, he purchased eighty acres of land, a portion of his present home. He applied himself industriously to the work of breaking his land, and for four years lived alone.

In September, 1860, Mr. Taylor and Miss Alvira P. Royce were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of Orlen and Maria (Thomas) Royce, natives of New York State. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born four children, of whom Walter J. is deceased. Wilber W. is County Superintendent of Schools of Grundy County, and for a history of his life we will refer the reader to his sketch presented elsewhere in this volume. Ida L. married F. M. Wells and resides in Hull, this state, where Mr. Wells operates a creamery. Cora E. is a graduate of the Iowa State College at Cedar Falls, and is at present teaching school at New Hartford.

After his marriage our subject removed to his present home and began farming on a small scale, gradually increasing his business until he is now one of the leading agriculturists of this county, owning a well improved tract of three hundred and forty acres. As before stated, he has made his home in America since twelve years of age, and during his boyhood acquired a good education. He has held many positions of trust and honor conferred on him by his fellow-citizens, and in social affiliations is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor. Politically, he is a strong and prominent Republican, and stands high in the ranks of that organization. He is a member of the Advent Church and is an exceedingly popular man in his community.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894

Grundy Biographies maintained by Tammy D. Mount.
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