J. BROWN TAYLOR, Cashier of the Second National Bank of Freeport, Ill., is a native of Ohio, having been born in Homes County, near Millersburg, on the 9th of May, 1838. His parents were Joseph Taylor and Eleanor Boyd, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Stephenson County, Ill., in the spring of 1855. They located in Rock Run Township, where they resided until 1863, when they moved to Bond County, Ill., where they still reside. When his parents moved to Stephenson County, the subject of this sketch was but seventeen years of age. His primary education was received in Ashland County, Ohio, and after coming to Stephenson County he attended for a time the district schools, then the Cedarville Academy, where he was a student at the breaking out of the war in 1861. He enlisted in Co. A, of the 11th Illinois Infantry, in which command he served as a private during all the marches, battles and skirmishes up to the siege of Vicksburg. On the day Grant attempted to take that stronghold by storm, his regiment was assigned to an exposed position on the line and in the memorable charge which it participated in, Mr. Taylor was wounded by the well aimed ball of a rifleman. The ball passed in below the shoulder, ranging upward and coming out under the right ear, just missing the vertebra of the neck and jugular vein, lodging under the large cords of the neck. It remained buried there for three days before being removed by the surgeon. He was sent to the hospital at Memphis, Tenn., where he remained four months, and was then sent to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, where he was kept under treatment two month. He was then discharged on account of wounds received in action and returned to his parents in Bond County. The next spring he resumed his studies at the academy at Cedarville, where he continued for one term.

In 1864 Mr. Taylor entered the Second National Bank in the capacity of teller and clerk, in which capacity he continued till 1880, when he was appointed cashier upon the death of the former cashier, Mr. L. W. Guiteau. Since that time he filled his responsible position to the satisfaction of the Directors and stockholders, and by his spirit of accom-modation and pleasant manner has popularized himself and the bank with the business community.

In 1865, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Carrie Bamberger, who at that time was a resident of Cedarville. They have three children – Jessie E., William Arthur and Bertha S. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are both members of the Second Presbyterian Church. He is an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is at present Post Commander.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 248