Biographical Sketch of

Nathan W. Taylor

Transcribed by Barbara Voss for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 509 - 510


Nathan W. Taylor, a leading citizen of Green Lake County, is engaged in farming on section 4 in the town of 
Brooklyn. His possessions now comprise 380 acres of fine land, constituting one of the best homes in the 
community. The entire amount is under cultivation. The many improvements which have been made, the excellent 
grades of stock there raised. And the well tilled fields all indicate the care and supervision of one who 
thoroughly understands his business and possesses great enterprise and diligence. For thirty three years he 
has been a resident of the town of Brooklyn, and is accounted one of its best farmers and most influential 
citizens. 

Mr. Taylor was born in Orange County, N. Y., December 19, 1838. His paternal grandfather was of New England 
birth. He was born in 1789, and served his country in the War of 1812. He married Nellie Courtwright, who was 
of English and German parentage and they passed their entire wedded life in Orange County, both dying at an 
advanced age. 

Our subject was the only child of his parents. When but four years old, he went to live with his paternal 
grandfather, where he made his home until seventeen years of age. He attended school but a few months during 
each year and at the age of thirteen began working as a farm hand by the month. In 1856 Charles D. McConnell, 
of the town of Brooklyn, who has formerly been a resident of Orange County, N.Y., returned to his old home on 
a visit, and while there made arrangements with our subject to return with him to Wisconsin, where he worked 
for Mr. McConnell for a year. Being pleased with the country, Mr. Taylor remained and was in the employ of 
Mr. Wm. N. McConnell for seven years, at the end of which time, with the money which he had saved from his 
earnings, he purchased eighty acres of land in the town of Brooklyn. He had only money enough to make a partial 
payment, going in debt to the amount of $1,100. It was not long before he had paid off his indebtedness, and 
as his financial resources increased he added to his land, until it now comprises 380 acres. He is truly a self 
made man, and deserves no little credit for the degree of success to which he has attained.

Upon the 31st of December 1866, Mr. Taylor led to the marriage altar Miss Kate Durland, a native of Orange County, 
N. Y., born August 2, 1840. Her parents were Samuel C. and Catharine (Manning) Durland and when Kate was a child 
they removed to Luzerne County, Pa., making that their home until 1866, when they came to this county.

The father died at the age of sixty six years, but his wife is still living at the advanced age of seventy nine. 
They were the parents of eight children, Mrs. Taylor being the fifth in order of birth. By her marriage she has a 
family of six children: Myrtle N., who died at the age of nineteen years; William M.; Mary and Myra, twins, Jennie 
E. and Gracie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have a pleasant home upon their farm, where they are surrounded by all the comforts of life. 
He is a Republican in politics and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Socially, he is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and his wife is a communicant of the Methodist Church. He has been honored with several local 
offices of trust, was Treasurer of the School District for twenty one years for eight terms served as Side Supervisor 
and he is now chairman of the Town Board.
 





Back to the Marquette Pages Menu