William M. Taylor

William M. Taylor, commander of Scott Post No. 37, Blue Springs, Nebraska, and district commander of southeastern Nebraska, is one of the best known men in this section of country,and is also a distinguished veteran of the Civil War. His enlistment took place in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1863, when he entered Company A, Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Calvary, under Captain Morgan and Colonel Greenfield. After nine months' service he was honorably discharged, and left the service with an excellent record, although much of his service consisted in skirmish and guard duty.

His birth occurred in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1843, and he was a son of Isaac Taylor, born in Todd, Pennsylvania. Isaac was a son of John, a native of Germany. Isaac Taylor was reared in Pennsylvania and there married me and Nancy Elias, who was born in Todd, a daughter of Henry Elias, also of German descent.

Our subject received an excellent education in Pennsylvania, and he then studied for the ministry of the Methodist Church, his first charge being the circuit in Fulton County, Pennsylvania. He was transferred from one place to another, and from Pennsylvania was transferred on account of ill health to Nebraska, being the only preacher in Frontier County for two years. After several changes he finally was located at Blue Springs, and had charge of the Methodist Church there for two years, when he retired from the Ministry, and has since devoted his attention to farming.

When he was twenty-four years of age, he was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Jennie Dunlet and she is a daughter of Donald and Mary Dunlet. Mrs. Taylor died, leaving one child, Alvah O., of Helena, Montana. Mr. Taylor married in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1874, Lydia F. Wilson, a daughter of Captain John G. Wilson and Amanda F. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had the following children Belle W.; C. B., of Sheridan, Wyoming; Denver W., of Sheridan, Wyoming; Eric A., of Oketo, Kansas; Mary D., of Gage County; Lawrence E. at school; Lulu A. at school; and the youngest a boy in school.

For thirty-three years Mr. Taylor has been a Mason, he is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias and Grand Army of the Republic, and has been very active in the latter organization. He has also been prominent in Republican politics, and served as police judge of Blue Springs, notary public for six years, and always lends his influence towards the measures he believes best for the development and advancement of the city. As a religious worker, he is always been zealous, successful and sincere, and while not now in charge of any church, his thoughts and efforts are employed in his Master's work, and he is one of the pillars of his denomination, and justly regarded as one of the best examples of a devoted Christian man and loyal citizen.

A Biographical and genealogical history of Southeastern Nebraska - 1904

Transcribed and Submitted by:   Debbie Gibson