Taylor, Joseph bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 547-548; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Joseph Taylor. The lad who is early thrown upon his own resources and begins the battle of life unarmed but with Nature’s panoply, is particularly worthy of the consideration of his fellow-beings. It therefore affords us pleasure to note the history of Joseph Taylor who has won the guerdon of comfortable circumstances by indomitable energy and genuine pluck, coupled with faithfulness to his employers and good judgment in conducting his own affairs. For fourteen years he has been proprietor of a meat-market in Fairview, and has had his full share of the patronage of the citizens of the town and vicinity. He has now entered upon a mercantile career as a dealer in boots and shoes, dry-goods and notions.
Our subject is a native of Old England and a son of James and Jemima (Cowp) Taylor who left their native land in 1845 to found a home in America. In his own land the father was a weaver but after his emigration he found employment in the lead mines of Galena, establishing his home at
New Diggings, Wis. He is still living there and is now sixty-eight years old. The mother died November, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years. The family of the worthy couple included eleven children, of whom the following grew to maturity; Joseph, Mary A., Elizabeth, Martha, Amelia and Ella. Mary is the wife of Frank Jolls, a farmer living at Peoria, Neb.; Elizabeth is the wife of W. H. Campbell, a farmer near Rowe, Ohio; Amelia is married and resides in Dakota; Ella lives at Council Hill Station, Ill.
Joseph Taylor was born at Roachdale, England, November 29, 1844, and was an infant nine months old when the family crossed the Atlantic. He was brought up in the lead mines and when of sufficient age engaged to dig coal in this county for Messrs. Charles and T. H. Travers. For seven long years he worked faithfully in the coal mines, saving his money in order to establish himself in life. During the year 1871 he married, and a few years later went to Blue Sky and operated a farm a twelvemonth. In 1876 he established a meat-market in Fairview and is therefore the oldest butcher in town. In 1889 he put in a stock of boots and shoes, and is now (1890) putting in dry-goods and notions in his own store rooms adjoining his meat-market. The mental traits before mentioned as potent factors in his success are backed by physical strength and activity and a pleasant manner, thus making it possible for him to endure a busy life and gain the confidence and good-will of those about him.
The lady whom Mr. Taylor won for his wife was Miss Mina Beahm, daughter of George and Margaret Beahm. She is a worthy woman, who prudently manages the household affairs, and has earnestly endeavored to do her duty by her family and be to those about her a kind friend and neighbor. She is the mother of three children – Lawrence D., Pearl and Eula. The son, a youth of seventeen years, has an excellent reputation for his good principles and the business ability he is manifesting as his father’s assistant in the store.
The office of Constable of Fairview Township has been held by Mr. Taylor with credit to himself and his constituents twelve years. He has also served as a member of the City Board. In politics he is independent, casting his vote for the man whom he considers most worthy, rather than in support of any party doma. He is quite prominent in fraternity circles, being a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders and of Camp No. , Modern Woodmen. His reputation is well established throughout the large circle of his acquaintances.