Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 429 - 430

COL. JONAH R. TAYLOR, a contractor and builder, holds a leading place among the enterprising and prominent men of Wichita, materially aiding the development and progress of the municipality, sparing neither time nor expense, but using freely of his abundant wealth to hasten the time when the city shall be known throughout the United States as the metropolis of the West. His booms in real estate have proved solid and substantial, and beneficial results are already shown in the increased growth of the city and the enterprises recently started.

        Col. Taylor was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 10, 1819. His parents were Jonah and Hannah (Brandonberg) Taylor, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. His father was born in 1790, and his death occurred in Troy, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1847. He was a farmer by occupation, and prominent in religious and political affairs. His religious views were broad and liberal, and he was an acknowledged leader in the Universalist Church. Politically he was an influential member of the Democratic party. The mother of our subject was born in 1791, and after a long and useful life, covering a period of fourscore years, passed away Dec. 23, 1871. She was a true Christian woman, and a consistent member of the same church as her husband.

        The subject of our sketch received a good education in the public schools of his native city, and remained at home assisting on the farm until he attained to the age of manhood. He worked for the subsequent four years as a bricklayer in Cincinnati, then in 1838 formed a partnership with his former employer, and continued in that business until 1862. In that year he raised a regiment of soldiers to assist in the preservation of the Federal Union. It was mustered into service at Camp Dennison as the 50th Ohio Infantry. Sept. 16, 1862, the regiment marched to the field under the command of Col. Taylor. He was with McCook's Division on their campaign through Kentucky for four months, and subsequently in Tennessee. At Perryville, Ky., was fought the first general engagement in which his regiment took part. In the fall, of 1863, he threw up his commission on account of the emancipation of the slaves. He returned to Cincinnati, and shortly after went to Omaha, Neb., and for seven years was interested in silver mining. His business in this line called him to various parts of the United States, and even to the other side of the Atlantic, whose waters he has four times crossed, going to Europe to dispose of mining stock. During this time he also operated in the silver mining business at Salt City for six years. In this business he met with great success and amassed a goodly property. Two years he spent in Leadville, Col., and then in 1875 he moved to Chicago, Ill., where his family remained until 1887. In 1883 Col Taylor spent some time in Texas getting the right of way and manipulating stock for a railway. He abandoned this project, however, and returning to Chicago resumed his speculations in real estate. On the 1st of May, 1887, he came with his family to Wichita, and purchased his residence at No. 1,106 East Oak street, and has since then carried on a large business in realty in this city. His presence here has acted as an impetus to the various enterprises of the place, and he has been a prime mover in the establishment of the Burton Car Works, the Stock Yards, the Plow Works, Watch Factory, and Jacob Dole & Sons' Packing House. These enterprises embrace millions of dollars, and Col. Taylor, having been associated so long with the various interests of Chicago, is the right man in the right place as a leader in such gigantic undertakings. He is also President of the Wichita (Kan.) Mining Company.

    The subject of this sketch was married, June 28, 1842, to Eliza A. Ward, the ceremony being performed by Bishop Purcell, of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Taylor was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1819. The parents of Mrs. Taylor were Robert S. and Catherine (Lant) Ward, natives of Baltimore, Md. They were the parents of ten children, four sons and six daughters. Of these four are living: Richard and William, of Cincinnati, the latter in the employ of the Government; Maggie, Mrs. Carpenter, of Kansas City, and Mrs. Taylor, the wife of our subject. They were among the first settlers of Cincinnati, going there when it was but a hamlet. They were married there in 1807, and there they spent their entire lives, the father dying in 1850 and the mother in 1871. They were buried in Spring Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Taylor's grand-parents were entombed under St. John's Cathedral in Cincinnati.

        To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born six children, namely: Fannie, Katie, Eliza B., William R., Maggie and Alice. Fannie married E. W. Wiggins; Katie married W. W. Angel. Mr. Taylor and his family are all members of the Catholic Church. The portrait of Mr. Taylor is given in this connection.

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