Taylor, Robert MAGA © 2000-2014
In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data and images may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for other presentation without express permission by the contributor(s).



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF CASS, SCHUYLER and BROWN COUNTIES, Illinois - 1892

Chicago: Biographical Review Publishing Co.


Page 427

ROBERT TAYLOR, a pioneer of Illinois, and a prominent citizen of Cass county, dates his birth in Scotland, ten miles south of Campbeltown, Argyleshire, November 27, 1816. His father, Robert Taylor, a native of same place, was a son of Angus Taylor, who was also born in that locality. Both passed their lives and died there. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation. He married Miza McCoy, a native of the same shire, and a daughter of Neill McCoy, also a native of that place. Mrs. Taylor survived her husband some years. She came to America in 1837, spent the rest of her life in Cass county, Illinois, and died here in 1845. She reared eight sons and one daughter, namely: Angus, Neill, Alexander, Archibald, Flora, Duncan, John, Robert and William. All came to America.

Robert Taylor was reared and educated in his native land. When he was three years old his father died, and until he was eight he lived with his mother. He then found a home with his uncle, Archibald Taylor, with whom he remained three years. Returning to his mother, he lived with her till his eighteenth year, when he came to America. He set sail from Greenock May 16, 1835, in the John Hale, accompanied by his brother Angus, and landed in New York on the 4th of July following. His uncle, Alexander Taylor, was a resident of Champaign county, Ohio, and to that place he directed his course. In Urbana he found a home with Douglas Luce, learned the trade of tanner and currier, and remained their four years. In October, 1839, he came to Illinois, accompanied by his four brothers, making the journey with a team. They settled in Cass county and bought a tract of land four miles northwest of Virginia.

At that time this county was sparsely settled. Deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful, and for several years there was not a railroad in the country. In 1840 Mr. Taylor made a visit to Chicago, going by the most convenient and expeditious route at that time, namely, by team to Beardstown, steamer to Peru, and stage to Chicago. Chicago's population was then about 5,000. A hotel and a few slab shanties were the only buildings on the north bank of the river. He put up at the Mansion House, which then stood opposite the Tremont, after six weeks spent in the city returned to Cass county. From Chicago to Bureau county he rode with a farmer who had been to the city to market his grain. Then he walked to Peru, where he took a steamer for Beardstown.

For sixteen years he lived on the land he and his brothers purchased. At the expiration of that time he rented it and purchased the farm he now owns and occupies in the Sangamon river bottoms, located in section 18 of township 18, range 10. He has been very successful as a farmer, has purchased other lands at different times, and is now the owner of upward of 1,000 acres.

Mr. Taylor and his wife are members of the Cumberland presbyterian Church. They were among the original members of the Sangamon Bottom Church. The first meeting of this society was held on the fifth Sunday in July, 1848, and was organized late in the moth of August following by Rev. Nathan Downing and Rev. James White.

Politically, Mr. Taylor was reared a Whig, but joined the Republican party when it was formed. He has always been a Prohibitionist in principle and of late years has voted with that party in national elections.


Bio Index