John Taylor
John Taylor, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born on the farm where he now resides May 27, 1806. His father, John Taylor Sr., who was born in Berkeley County, Va., June 2, 1771, was one of the first settlers of Madison County and the first settler of Darby Township as it is now known. He married Elizabeth Mitchell, a native of Little York, Penn., of Scotch descent, by whom he had two children, twins, John and Margaret. The latter died August 27, 1811. Our subject was married, February 28, 1833, to Eliza Mitchell, by whom he has had seven children, viz. David M., Matilda, Elizabeth, James M., Ferguson, Eva, deceased, and Sarah, deceased. The survivors are all married and doing well. Mr. Taylor only received a limited education, but he has spared neither trouble nor expense in giving his children every educational advantage. He owns a fine farm of 435 acres, on which was built the first brick house in the county. He has raised several fine thoroughbred horses, among which were the celebrated Printer and Speculator, both originators of a new breed, and at that time said to be the best general purpose horses in Ohio. He also introduced into this county a very superior species of weevil-proof wheat and the Rappahannock wheat, the latter having been sent to him from the Department of Agriculture at Washington. He also imported and bred the Leicestershire combing-wool sheep. From his land the stones were taken to make the buhrs for the first grist-mill on Big Darby, which was the first mill in the county. These stones resemble the French buhr stones, and seem to be of glacial deposit. Mr. Taylor has given his children 1,000 acres of land, 160 acres to each of the two daughters and the rest equally divided between three sons. He is a wide-awake, energetic farmer, always ready to help a worthy cause and a good citizen.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
The subject of this biography, was born May 27, 1806, in Darby Township, Madison County, Ohio, and on the same farm he now resides. His mother was Miss Elizabeth Mitchel, who was born in Little York, Pennsylvania. His father, John Taylor, senior, was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, June 2, 1771, and was one of the early settlers of this part of the then Territory, with Jonathan Alder and others, and they had but two children, twins, Margaret and John, and his twin sister died April 27, 1811, leaving John, the subject of our sketch, the only child.
John Taylor and Miss Eliza Mark, were married February 28th, 1833, and the fruit of this marriage was seven children, David, Matilda, Elizabeth, James M., Ferguson, Eva and Sarah, of whom, five are now living, and married.
Mr. Taylor received a common school education, having no advantage of high schools and colleges, as we have to-day; but he has given all his children a good education, and he has spent almost his whole life in advancing the interests of the county, and striving to have the best of everything, having raised some of the finest horses, of which the following have a world wide reputation: The Printer and Speculator.
And he also introduced into this county, the wevil proof wheat, bringing it over one hundred miles, and also the Tappahannock wheat, which was sent from Washington, D.C., and is one of the most prolific kinds of wheat raised; and he has also imported and bred very successfully, the Liecestershire combing wool sheep.
On this farm was built the first brick house in the county, near where now stands the residence of John Taylor; and from the garden was taken the stones, by Frederic Sager, for the first grist mill on Big Darby as well as the county; they very much resemble the French burr. It seem sthat kind Providence was ever remindful of his beings, for it is very doubtful if another such a stone could be found in the State.
Mr. Taylor has been one of the successful farmers of the county, always a hard worker, and working to excel. As a father, he was ever kind and indulgent, and one of the best neighbors and friends, always ready to help any worthy object, never turning away the poor and needy; and we hope he may spend many happy years yet on the farm of his childhood and home of his birth.
From ATLAS OF MADISON COUNTY - J.A. Caldwell [Condit, Ohio, 1875]