Biography of Stephen O. Taylor, Jr.

STEPHEN O. TAYLOR, JR. was born in La Fayette, Indiana, March 20, 1837, and is a worthy representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of Tippecanoe County.  His father,

STEPHEN O. TAYLOR, SR., was a native of New York City, where he was reared, and in early manhood he went to Ohio, locating near Dayton, where he was married to Miss ELIZABETH DILKS.  In 1826 they removed from Ohio to Kentucky, and in the fall of 1828 came to Tippecanoe County,
Indiana, stopping the first year in what is now Jackson Township.  In 1829 they settled in La Fayette, where the father kept a tavern for a time.  About two years later he bought and removed to a farm, but soon after returned to La Fayette, and for a time carried on the Wabash House.  He subsequently enagaged in stock-breeding, he having brought with him from Kentucky some fine stock.  He was the pioneer in this line in Tippecanoe County.   In politics he was an old line Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay.  He died in the year 1845, his widow surviving him until 1865.  They were the parents of eight children, but four now living--NELSON C., a resident of Alexandria, Louisiana, where he is engaged in staging; DANIEL, engaged in staging on the western border of Texas; INGRAHAM, who is with his brother in Alexandria, and STEPHEN O., the subject of this sketch.

The latter has always lived in Tippecanoe County, and has always been engaged in the live-stock or livery business, and being a man of enterprise and of good business qualifications, he has been successful in all his undertakings.  In 1878 he was elected sheriff of Tippecanoe County, assuming the duties of that office the following year.  he as re-elected to the same office in 1880, and served with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, until 1883.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, an organization in which he takes an active interest.

MRS. TAYLOR was formerly MISS LAURA JANE SHIVELY, and was born in La Fayette, this county, her father, WILLIAM SHIVELY [Biography and Portrait], being one of the pioneer merchants of this city.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, p. 583
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888