James B. Taylor

As printed in 1889

AMES B. TAYLOR, Perhaps in no business or profession is a man more conspicuous or better known, or more popular or unpopular, as the case may be, than in the law. His talent soon is recognized, and he rises to distinction in the ranks of men, if by zealand perseverance he merits it. James B. Taylor was born in Fredericksburgh, Wayne Co.. Ohio, August 24, 1840. His father, who was a native of Virginia, married a Quakeress, also a native of that State, and together, in 1825, they came to Wayne County, and Mr. Taylor became a member of the ouster bar. In 1873 he departed this life, at the age of seventy-two years, and in 1878 his widow followed to her long last sleep. Their homo was blessed with the birth of nine children, of whom James B. was the youngest.

James.15. Taylor, at the age of sixteen, became a school-teacher, in which profession he continued in Wayne County during the winter months, attending to his own studies during the summer, at the Fredericksburgh (Ohio) Academy, until the fall of 1850, when he entered the junior class of Westminster College, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in June, 1801. The following fall he organized and opened the Smithville Academy, which he carried on until August, 1802, when, responding to his country's call, he formed a company of all the able-bodied students under his charge, and prepared to go to the front, the remaining portion of the academy passing to the care of J. B. Eberly. Mr. Taylor entered the service as second lieutenant, and afterward was promoted to the rank of hist lieutenant; still later he was made captain of Company IT, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1805. In that year this regiment, which had seen active service, was consolidated with the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and as only one of six captains could remain, the lot fell upon ('apt. Speer, the remaining five being mustered, out. The regiment went to the front over 1,000 strong, and returned with less than d00 men. The Captain was with his command in nearly all the battles fought for the opening of the Mississippi, from December, 1 S02, to 180 1, under Gens. Grant and Banks.

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During the latter years of his military service Mr. Taylor read medicine and studied surgery, and in the spring of 1805 he entered the office of Dr. Martin, at Fredericksburgh, Ohio, where lie continued until the fall of the same year, when he went to the University of Michigan, there to attend medical lectures. Soon after his arrival, however, he changed his life’s plans, and matriculated in the law department, graduating in the spring of 1807. He then returned to "Wayne County, and opened a law office at Orrvillo, where he practiced until the spring of 1882, when he finally located at Wooster. In February, 1888, he formed a law partnership with ex-Probate Judge Isaac Johnson, which still continues. In 1808 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Emi- 1 i e Emmitt, daughter of John Emmitt, and a native of Pennsylvania. To this union six children have been born, of whom three are now living. Mr. Taylor is a F. A A. M., and a member of the Presbyterian Church; he is a Republican.

As printed in Commemorative biographical record of Wayne County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families .. (1889). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.