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James Andrew Taylor

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James A. Taylor
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Chippewa district
In office
January 5, 1891 – January 2, 1893
Preceded byBenjamin Franklin Millard
Succeeded byJohn C. Harmon
In office
January 1, 1883 – January 5, 1885
Preceded byWilliam B. Bartlett
(Chippewa–Price dist.)
Succeeded byHenry J. Goddard
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the ChippewaPrice district
In office
January 3, 1881 – January 2, 1882
Preceded byHector McRae
Succeeded byWilliam B. Bartlett
1st Mayor of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
In office
April 1870 – April 1871
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJ. W. Sheldon
Personal details
Born(1835-09-08)September 8, 1835
Argyle, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 15, 1906(1906-02-15) (aged 70)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Resting placeMilwaukie Pioneer Cemetery, Milwaukie, Oregon
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary M. Buzzell
(m. 1856)
Children
  • Frank A. Taylor
  • (b. 1858; died 1931)
  • William J. Taylor
  • (b. 1860; died 1922)
  • Charles Taylor
  • (died in infancy)
  • John J. Taylor
  • (died c.1901)
OccupationMerchant

James Andrew Taylor (September 8, 1835 – February 15, 1906) was an American businessman, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the first mayor of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and represented Chippewa County for three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Biography

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James A. Taylor was born September 8, 1835, in the town of Argyle, New York. As a young man, he moved to Lansing, Iowa, then came to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in 1854. He worked for the merchant company H. S. Allen & Co., clerking aboard their steamboat during the summers, and in their stores in the winters. In 1856, he formed a partnership with Fred H. Bussy to open his own general store.[1] He served as village treasurer for two terms in 1858 and 1859.[2]

He constructed the Gravel Island mill in 1864, which he sold to the French Lumbering Company in 1875. Chippewa Falls was incorporated as a city in 1869, and at their first election, in 1870, Taylor was chosen as mayor. In 1883, after a fire in the city destroyed the hotel, he constructed the "Taylor Block" which he operated as a new hotel for four years.[1] The "Taylor Block" still stands today as part of the Bridge Street Commercial Historic District, in the National Register of Historic Places.[3]

Taylor was active and loyal to the Democratic Party. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1880, 1882, and 1890.[2][4]

In 1902, Taylor moved west to Portland, Oregon. He died there four years later on February 15, 1906.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Hon. James A. Taylor Dead". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. February 23, 1906. p. 3. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Heg, J. E., ed. (1883). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 486. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  3. ^ "207-209 N Bridge St". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Cunningham, Thomas J., ed. (1891). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 587–588. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the ChippewaPrice district
January 3, 1881 – January 2, 1882
Succeeded by
William B. Bartlett
Preceded by
William B. Bartlett
(Chippewa–Price dist.)
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Chippewa district
January 1, 1883 – January 5, 1885
Succeeded by
Henry J. Goddard
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Chippewa district
January 5, 1891 – January 2, 1893
Succeeded by
John C. Harmon
Political offices
New city incorporated Mayor of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
April 1870 – April 1871
Succeeded by
J. W. Sheldon