Kansas History and Heritage Project-Wyandotte County Biographies

Wyandotte County Biographies
"Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas--Historical and Biographical"
Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890


Albert G. Talbott, real estate broker. The magnitude of the real estate interests of Kansas City, Kas., and the incessant activity in the market, have enlisted the services of many of her most responsible, sagacious and honorable citizens, and among the number is Mr. Talbott, whose life, like that of all truly self-made men, has been very interesting, and a few facts connected therewith will not be out of place. When only twelve years of age, he left his home in Indiana, and embarked for the gold regions of California, via New York and the Isthmus of Panama, and upon reaching the "Eldorado of America" he at once began to look about him for something to do. He sometime afterward engaged in mining, and in a short time young Talbott had accumulated a handsome amount of money. He then went to San Francisco and engaged in the money broker business, his office being at 84 Montgomery Street, Brannan's Block, and here he remained until he lost in mining stocks $150,000. This was the needed impetus to cause him again to strike out for a more congenial and healthful climate, and this time he finally turned up in the gold-bearing regions of Idaho, where he soon after conceived the idea of building a good mountain wagon-road from Boise City, in the valley of Boise River, to Idaho City, in the mountains, and acting upon this idea, he at once set to work to secure a charter from Ada County, of which Idaho City was the county seat, for a toll road running twenty years, from Boise to Idaho Cities. On March 4, 1865, he hired his men and teams, and by May 1, 1865, he had completed and thrown open to the public as fine a wagon-road as could have been found in any mountainous country. By the 1st of November following, he had paid for the building of the road, and had $20,000 left, to show the correctness of his judgment. In November, 1865, a fire swept the business portion of Idaho City, and Mr. Talbott, seeing that he had made the bulk of profit out of the road, sold it to Henry Greathouse, of the Oregon & Idaho Stage Company. Being then possessed of a desire to see once more an entirely civilized section of the United States, he started eastward, leaving Boise City for Fort Benton with twenty wagons and teams in April, 1866, and on May 12 arrived at the latter place. On May 14 he took passage on the first return boat of the season, steamer "St. John," of St. Louis, for Omaha, Neb., and here, following the advice of some old school friends, he made investments which resulted in the loss of nearly all his hard-earned money. He then decided to seek fresh fields, and immediately took passage on a steamer bound south, and visited nearly all the southern cities of any importance. In February, 1868, while in New Orleans, meditating whether to go back to California or return North, he decided to trust to chance, and taking a copper cent from his pocket he tossed it up, saying, "Heads up, I go to California; tails up, I go to Leavenworth, Kas." Tails came up, and on April 1 he took a steamer for the latter place, and in a short time had made many friends and acquaintances in Leavenworth. He was given a position on the old Leavenworth Bulletin, and was one of the men who rendered most valuable service on that paper when A. Caldwell was brought out and elected United States Senator, from Leavenworth, in 1872. When the Times and Bulletin were merged in the spring of 1872, he became its advertising man, and after the paper was purchased by Col. D. E. Anthony, he was retained and soon after promoted to the position of business manager of the paper. In this position he displayed much ability, but becoming wearied of a constantly confining position, he, in October, 1878, resigned, and started for the southwest portion of Kansas, and for some time was engaged in the land and insurance business, in Edwards County. After a year of prosperity he lost all he had, and as the outlook for the future was not promising, he immediately pulled up stakes and started for Wyandotte, which place he reached on April 14, 1880. He at once took a position under L. H. Wood, and after remaining with him six months, he became a member of the firm of Wood & Talbott, and they conducted a general real estate and insurance business. In 1882 he sold his interest to his partner, and took a position as special agent for Kansas for the "Continental" Fire Insurance of New York, and after traveling over the State constantly for three years, he resigned his position on account of ill health, and again, in 1884, engaged in the real estate and insurance business, a calling which has since received his attention, and it may be truly said that he has sold more land adjacent to the city, and a greater number of lots and city property, than any other one man in the consolidated cities of Kansas City, Kas. Having grown up with the many great property changes, and having manipulated so many sales and purchases, his good judgment is said to be second to none on values, and he is daily asked to pass judgment on all classes of values. He is doing a substantial business, and has the entire confidence of all who know him. He pays every attention to the interests of non-residents, who both seek investments in the great metropolis of Kansas, and who desire some reliable person to take charge of and look after their already secured interests. Parties who wish to invest, or have invested, will receive the utmost attention from Mr. Talbott, and will learn that he is truly the right man in the right place. In 1884 he was elected a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and was chosen one of the five of the Executive Committee to plan and manage the State campaign which elected John Martin, of Atchison, governor. Since he attained his majority, he has at all times taken an active part in politics, and has wielded a great influence in city and county affairs. He is an enthusiastic admirer of the old Whig party, and believes that no party can maintain America's free and liberal Government but the Republican party of to-day.


W. H. Taylor, of English birth and a man yet fairly in the prime of life, learned the machinist's trade in his native country, and was there married. Emigrating to America, he located at Evansville, Ind., where for a number of years he was employed as superintendent in the shops of the first railroad at that point. During the fifties he and a partner brought a grist-mill to Quindaro, which they operated for a time, but which, owing to a lack of patronage, proved a losing venture. Mr. Taylor then went to Leavenworth, and was master mechanic in the shops of the railroad company there that at that time operated only two engines. For ten or twelve years he remained at that place, then engaged in agricultural pursuits, but later again resumed railroading, occupying the same position he formerly held. For the past number of years he has farmed, and throughout all his diversified career it can be said that he has made a success. Recently he sold thirteen acres from his farm to a pressed- brick company, and it now produces some of the finest brick manufactured. Mr. Taylor has four sons and a wife living, and the family are among the well-known and respected families of the county.


William B. Taylor is one of the influential residents of Kansas City, Kas., and is the present commissioner of elections in that place. He was born in Ellenville, Ulster County, N. Y., December 30, 1855, and like all native New Yorkers he is enterprising, industrious, intelligent and public spirited. His parents, Richard B. and Rachel A. (Brodhead) Taylor were born in Franklin County, Mass., March 29, 1822, and Ulster County, N. Y., March 1, 1829, respectively. The paternal grandfather, William Taylor, was born in the "Bay State," and his father, William Taylor, was a captain in the Revolutinary War. The maternal grandparents, William and Susan Brodhead were born in New York State, their ancestors having been residents of that State for several generations and among its leading families. Richard and Rachel Taylor were married March 22, 1851, and William B. Taylor, the subject of this sketch, is their only child. The father was a journalist by profession, and after locating in Kansas City, Kas., in July, 1858, he became connected with the Wyandotte Gazette, and in 1860 became its sole proprietor. He conducted it very successfully until his death, which occurred March 24, 1877, being still survived by his widow, her home being now with her son William B. The latter has resided in Kansas City ever since he was two years old, and his early educational training was received in the public schools of the city, and in the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kas. In 1877 he graduated from the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Upon the day he graduated, his father died, and instead of entering upon the practice of his profession as he had intended, he was obliged to take charge of the paper which his father had so long edited. He edited and published the Gazette until October, 1879, when he sold the establishment to Messrs. Armstrong & Moyer, and he has since given his attention principally to mercantile pursuits and to the management of his real estate interests which are somewhat extensive. In March, 1889, he was appointed commissioner of elections for Kansas City, by Gov. Humphrey, and his term of office will expire in March, 1893. On November 17, 1879, he was married to Miss Flora Cook, the only child of the late Henry W. Cook of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children: Ethel C, Mabel B. and Rachel. Mr. Taylor is an enthusiastic Mason, especially in the higher degrees of the order, and was for several years eminent commander of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 21, K. T. He also belongs to the order of the Mystic Shrine. He has always been an ardent supporter of Republican principles, and is influential in the councils of his party. Although a young man he is one of the pioneer residents of the town, and is one of her wide-awake and public- spirited citizens. While the Wyandotte Gazette was in the hands of his father, the late Hon. R. B. Taylor, it was one of the leading journals of the State, and was one of the first papers to be printed in the same. Mr. Taylor, Sr., was the first president of the Kansas Editorial Association, and of the Kansas Historical Association. He was also a member of the State Legislature, and occupied other positions of trust and responsibility; and his name is indissolubly linked with the memory of the struggle of the earlier settlers of Kansas, the story of whose heroic achievements will ever adorn some of the brightest pages in the history of the Sunflower State.


Prof. Edward F. Taylor, superintendent of Wyandotte County Public Schools, Kansas City, Kas. In including in this work sketches of the lives of prominent young men, it would be an omission to be regretted not to include an outline, at least, of the life of Mr. Taylor, who has been a resident of Wyandotte County since 1869. He was born in Will County, Ill., in 1863, and is a son of David G. and Sarah F. (Franklin) Taylor, natives of New York and Iowa, respectively. The father is a farmer by occupation and is held in high esteem by all acquainted with him. Edward F. Taylor came with his parents to Wyandotte County, Kas., in 1869, and after attending the district schools for a number of terms, and the Wyandotte Academy a couple of years, taught school for two more years. After this he entered the State Normal at Emporia, Kas., and there remained one year. He has followed the teacher's profession ever since, and is one of the most prominent and successful instructors in the county. He taught first in the ungraded schools and later became principal of the graded school at Edwardsville, where he remained for some time. He then came to Kansas City, Kas., and was first assistant in what is now Woodstreet School for one year. After this he was promoted to principal of Everett School, where he remained one year, being promoted to the charge of the commercial department of the high school of Kansas City, and by virtue of the position first assistant of the high school. He was selected school superintendent of Wyandotte County, in the fall of 1888, by the largest majority ever recorded in the county, and still holds the position. His career in this position has been so well known to the citizens of Wyandotte County that we feel it unnecessary to add any words of commendation; to say that he has filled the office in a capable and satisfactory manner expresses a truth all will support. His marriage with Miss Carrie H. Holbrook was consummated in Kansas City, Kas., in 1888. Mr. Taylor is a member of Wyandotte Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M. ; of Myrtle Lodge No. 1, K. of P., and of Mendias Chapter, O. E. S.


G. A. Taylor. The Argentine Bank was organized and opened for business February 1, 1887, with Mr. G. A. Taylor as its cashier and manager, which position he still holds, the owners and proprietors being N. McAlpine, G. A. Taylor and J. F. Barker. The bank is now one of the best established in the county, and has an individual responsibility of $1,500,000. Mr. G. A. Taylor was born in Geneva, Walworth County, Wis., August 9, 1864. He was reared on his father's farm, and in addition to a common-school education attended the Wyandotte Academy and the State Normal School, in this State. He came to Wyandotte County, Kas., with his parents, in 1870, and after finishing his education, taught school in Wyandotte County for four years. He holds one of the highest grade certificates ever issued by Kansas City, Kas. He then entered the Armourdale Bank, which was the first bank in Armourdale, and was controlled by N. McAlpine, A. W. Little and G. A. Taylor. The capital of said bank being paid to Mr. G. A. Taylor, as assistant cashier, as he was the best acquainted with the people of the community. His character and business ability, for a young man, have but few equals, and his reputation as an honest, conscientious young man is widely known and recognized. He resigned his connection and sold his interest in the Armourdale Bank in January, 1887, to organize the Argentine Bank, which he opened February 1, as has been stated. He occupies a most responsible position in his community, and has the unbounded confidence of all who know him. He was married, August 20, 1889, to Miss Edith B. Ainsworth, the only daughter of Mrs. E. L. Ainsworth, of Turner, Kas., who has been a resident of Wyandotte County for more than twenty years. Mr. Taylor is a Knight Templar Mason, and is also a member of the K. of P., and O. I. H. His parents, David G. and Sarah F. Taylor, were natives of New York and Iowa, respectively. His father is a successful agriculturist, and resides in Wyandotte Township, Wyandotte County, Kas.





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