Taylor - Joseph W. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

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Joseph W. TAYLOR, an intelligent and enterprising farmer and stock raiser residing on section 8, Ripley Township, is a member of an old and highly respected family of Montgomery County of which he is a native, his birth occurring here in 1856. His father, Charles Taylor was also born in this county and was a son of Judge Taylor, who was prominent in the early history of this part of the state and in its most recent public life. The judge was a native of Ohio. He was judge of the county court of Montgomery County for 15 years, dying while an incumbent of that office in 1877. He was one of the pioneers of this section, entering at an early day land from the Government to the amount of 400 acres, a part of which is the home of our subject. At the age of 21 our subject's father purchased 80 acres and in order to obtain the means to improve it he taught school in the winter seasons, being very well education and he farmed summers. In due time he had sufficient means to enable him to marry and establish a home, and in 1853 he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Mary Ann Smith, a native of Ohio. The subject of this brief biographical sketch received a practical education and early became familiar with agriculture in all its departments so that when he began his independent career as a farmer he was well prepared to make a success of his undertakings. He has a small, but well improved farm, supplied with neat and substantial buildings for every needed purpose and the soil is under good cultivation. Mr. Taylor is a breeder of blooded stock paying especial attention to raising sheep and he has a fine flock of registered Shropshire-Downs, 200 in number some of the rams being important and valued at 4100 apiece and he has besides a choice lot of Merino sheep. He has also paid much attention to raising the best breeds of poultry of which he has 6 varieties of the finest breeds, including the Wyandotte, Lanshans, game, etc. Some of his fowls are worth $30 apiece and their eggs bring $4 a dozen. He has been awarded many prizes at the different state fairs in Indiana and through careful attention to business and close study he has risen to be second to none in the county as a poultry fancier. Our subject's first marriage which was solemnized in 1881 was with Miss Hannah Wilcox, daughter of Levi Wilcox. She died in 1885 and Mr. Taylor was subsequently married to Miss Dorro Folick, a native of this county and daughter of Israel Folick. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's home circle has been widened by the birth of 3 children: Charles b 1886; Albert 1889; and Jane 1891. Mr. Taylor is a member of high standing of the Second Church; and a generous portion of his means is donated to help carry it on properly. In his political sentiments our subject is a Democrat who thoroughly believes in his party. He is a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association and he may always be depended upon to support all measures to establish justice, peace and law and order in the community.