RICHARD F. TAYLOR is a resident of Elizabethtown, Hardin County, and a son of James P. Taylor, a native of Ohio, who came to Illinois at an early day and settled on a farm in Pope County, where he followed farming and school teaching for several years. On May 20, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, being mustered out of service at Chicago October 22, 1864. He was married to Catherine Formault, by whom he had nine children, six of whom are still living, viz: Jonathan F., an attorney-at-law at Carbondale, Ill.; Spencer B., a farmer of Pope County; Caleb M., a farmer of Pope County; Richard F.; William F., a physician of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; and Priscilla I., wife of Daniel Flannery. The parents of these children are both still living on their farm in Pope County.
Richard F. Taylor was born in Pope County on the 5th of May, 1855. He was brought up on the farm, attending the public schools in the winter months, and began teaching school in the year 1873, in which he continued for five years, when he was appointed Principal of the High School in Elizabethtown. He studied law while teaching school, was admitted to the Bar in June, 1882, and at once began the practice of the law, giving his attention principally to criminal cases, being employed in the famous Belt case. In 1802 he was elected State's Attorney for his County, which position he still retains.
An important event occurred in the life of our subject when he was united in marriage in October, 1884, to Miss Mollie Ledbetter, a daughter of J. N. Ledbetter, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume. Two children have been born to them, viz: Eunice, whose birth took place June 11, 1886, and James N., born August 23, 1891. In politics Mr. Taylor is a stanch Democrat, and Mrs. Taylor is a very earnest worker in the Sunday-school. This worthy couple have a host of sincere friends in this locality, and are widely known for their hospitable and friendly manner.
Extracted from Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, published in 1893, page 395
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