E. L. TAYLOR

 Bio-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: DIXON, PINK

            On an extensive ranch like that of Palo Alto, where valuable race-horses are bred and cared for, there is no more important position than that of chief horseshoer, where a thorough and accurate knowledge of every detail of the business is required.  This position at Palo Alto Ranch is held by the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.  Mr. Taylor is a native of Michigan, born at Jackson, September 2, 1849, his parents being J. H. and Mary (Dixon) Taylor.  In 1854 his father came out to California by way of Nicaragua, and located at San Lorenzo.  Having decided to make that place his permanent home, the family came out to join him in 1856.  In Alameda County the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, learning his trade at Livermore.  After completing a thorough apprenticeship, he continued his trade at Livermore as a journeyman until 1881, when his skill at his craft secured for him his present position at the Palo Alto Ranch.  Mrs. Taylor’s maiden name was Amelia Pink.  She was a native of New York.  They have three children:  Rodman, Charles and Edwin.  Mr. Taylor is a member of Mountain View Lodge, A. O. U. W.

Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.Pg. 327

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

Proofread by Betty Vickroy

Bio-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: HIGGINS

James Taylor, son of James and Margaret (Ellen) Taylor, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, January 19, 1825.  His father was a native of Ireland and his mother of Scotland.  They lived and died in Rhode Island.  The subject of this sketch is one of two children.  When about sixteen years old he left home and began life for himself.  In 1852 he came to California via Cape Horn, leaving New York February 2, and arriving in San Francisco July 3 of that year.  He came in the clipper ship Kate Hayes, commanded by Captain Moran.  In San Francisco he engaged in different occupations till 1856, when he bought a small farm in the Willows near San Jose.  In 1857 he sold out and located in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  He owned three different places before he purchased his present one in 1863, and moved upon this latter place in 1864, where he has since resided.  He has eighty-four acres, of which twenty-five acres are in orchard and ten in vines.  He has about 1,300 French, and 60 silver prunes, all from seven to eight years old; 500 egg plums, three years old; 500 apple trees, ten years old; 350 Bartlett pears, four years old, except a few which are ten years old, besides a family orchard of different kinds.  The vineyard consists of Muscats, Verdal, Tokay, and Black Ferraar, two-thirds being in Muscats, twelve years old.  Mr. Taylor has a number of large trees on his place, one redwood eighteen feet in diameter, and a tan oak ten feet in diameter.  Competent woodmen suppose that there are twenty-seven cords of wood in the two trees.

            Mr. Taylor was married, in 1854, to Margaret Higgins, a native of New Jersey, whose parents died when she was very young.  They have one son, William Dennis Taylor, who resides at home.  Mrs. Taylor crossed the plains in 1845, the trip with ox teams occupying seven or eight months.

Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.
Pg. 315
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
Proofread by Betty Vickroy

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