JOHN B. TAYLOR, wholesale and retail dealer in leather, shoe findings and saddlery hardware, at Nos. 41 and 43 Stephenson street, Freeport, where he has been established since 1852, by his energy and enterprise has built up a profitable and lucrative trade. His business house is in fact the leading institution of its kind in Stephenson County, and the proprietor is now in the enjoyment of a competency, the result of his own industry and more than ordinary business ability.

Mr. Taylor, a native of the Empire State, was born in Madison County, June 18, 1832. He received but a common-school education, and was early thrown upon his own resources. He was brought by his parents to Cook County, Ill., in 1835. Here and in Will Counties he served an apprenticeship at the tanner’s trade. In 1852 he came to Freeport. Although he had been industriously employed most of his time he still possessed but little means, but soon secured employment at his trade, making good progress both socially and financially, and at the end of two years became an employee of the firm of F. Baker & Co., which was succeeded by the firm of Taylor & Rubel. The latter firm continued seven years and then Mr. Taylor purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted the business alone.

Mr. Taylor, after a few years in this county, found himself on the high road to prosperity, and in 1865 his business had enlarged to that extent that he erected a tannery and was thus enabled to dress his own material after his own methods, which resulted in a superior article that commanded a large and ready sale. This building was destroyed by fire in 1878, but Mr. Taylor rebuilt in the following year, putting up a substantial brick structure with greatly enlarged facilities for tanning, and the industry has since been one of the important features of Freeport. His store building is stocked with a large and fine assortment of leathers for all purposes, and the transactions of the house extend throughout this State and into Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. Mr. Taylor not only conducts his own business to advantage, but gives employment to a large number of men. He is one of the most public-spirited citizens of Freeport, and nothing pleases him better than to note its prosperity and advancement. For this purpose he has ever been willing to contribute his time and means. In 1876, he laid out and equipped at his own expense Taylor’s Driving Park, on which he has spared neither time nor money to make it a desirable resort and a means of pleasure to the public. The track, one mile in length by accurate measurement, is one of the finest in the State. A large proportion of the stabling is built of brick, insuring comfort as well as security for the valuable animals which are brought there to be exercised and kept. The Park includes eighty acres of lane, enclosed with an eight-foot fence, and the walks are tastefully laid out and graveled, while walnut, elm, ash and other handsome forest trees afford a pleasant shade during the warm season. The hall is a tasteful structure, handsomely finished and furnished, and capable of giving shelter to a large number of people. It affords a convenient place for various fairs and other institutions, and the Judges’ stand adjacent is a substantial and ornamental structure fully in keeping with its surroundings. Opposite this is a large amphitheater with seating capacity for thousands of people. The park is accessible from all parts of the city by the street railroad, in which Mr. Taylor is the largest stockholder. The rolling stock and animals are creditable to the city, the latter being of excellent breed and well cared for. These were of Mr. Taylor’s own selection, many of them coming from his own stables.

It will thus be seen that the subject of this sketch has aided largely in the building up of the city of Freeport, by whose people he is appreciated accordingly. There are few enterprises tending to the comfort and welfare of the people in which he has not been directly interested. As a natural consequence he has been repeatedly solicited to take charge of responsible offices, but has invariably declined, having no political aspirations. He keeps himself well posted, however, upon current events in both State and National affairs, and votes with the Republican party. If he has been delinquent in any respect it is that he still remains unmarried.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888