WILLIAM B. TAYLOR State Engineer and Surveyor
Mr. Taylor was born February 27, 1824, in
Manchester, Oneida county, N.Y. His father, Job Taylor was foreman of cotton
mills, at different periods, at Oakville, New Berlin, Manchester
and Old Union Factory. He was, also, well and favorably known as
an inn-keeper, in Utica, from 1830 to 1837. During this latter
period, the subject of this sketch was educated at the Utica Academy, and
was prepared to enter Geneva College, when reverses in fortune occurred,
which compelled the relinquishment of that design; and, at the age
of eighteen, he was thrown upon his own resources. In the year 1837, his
brother, Lorenzo Taylor, was elected City Surveyor of Utica, and William
became his assistant, receiving only a nominal salary. In the winter of
1849, he was appointed a leveler in the Engineer Department, Enlargement
of the Erie Canal; and from that time to the
present, with the exception of about two
years, he has been retained in the State service in the various positions
of first and second assistant, Resident and Division Engineer; and in the
fall of 1861 was elected State Engineer and Surveyor, by a majority exceeding
100,000. In 1853 Mr. Taylor was elected City Surveyor of Utica, and was
re-elected in 1854. From 1857 to 1860 inclusive he was a member of
the Common Council in the City of Utica. In politics, Mr. Taylor was a
member of the old Whig party, and after that rganization was abandoned,
he joined the Republicans. Upon the breaking out of the present rebellion,
and the consequent inauguration of the Union movement, he took a warn interest
in its success. On the assembling of the People's and Republican
State Conventions at Syraucse, in September, 1861, he was selected as the
most competent and available candidate for the office he now holds, and,
as we have said, was triumphantly elected. He is the youngest man
that ever filled that position, being only thirty-seven years of age when
he received the nomination. Of his fitness for the place the
public have had an opportunity of judging,
and no man has ever filled it with more honor to himself, or credit
to the State.
As an engineer, Mr. Taylor has attained a
high rank, and is probably inferior to none in the State. He possesses
characteristics of mind peculiarly adapted to his profession, A man
of keen perception he is quick to detect weak points, or determine strong
ones. With a mind of great activity, he has the faculty of arriving
at the conclusion of a proposition before it is half stated to him.
His social qualities are of a rare order -- never failing to produce a
strong attachment between himself and acquaintances. Reliable in
his pledges, true to his friends he possesses sufficient independence of
character to do what he thinks to be right. In
whatever position he has been placed, the
public have always envinced entire confidence in his ability and integrity.
Mr. Taylor has been married twice. His first wife was the daughter
of William Harrington; and his second wife, now living, is the dauther
of the late C. H. Fairbanks. His residence is in Utica, and he attends
the Universalist Church.
From BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES of the STATE OFFICERS
and MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE of the STATE OF NEW YORK In 1862 and
'63 By Wm. D. MURPHY Printed in Albany for the Author 1863 pages 35-37
Sheila Hoffman shoff@borg.com