Jeremiah Taylor, one of the prominent business men and influential citizens of Mt. Vernon, who is now extensively interested in the Mt. Vernon Bank, claims Kentucky as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Warren County, November 26, 1816.

No event of special importance occurred during his boyhood and youth, which were passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He acquired his education under the instruction of a private tutor, and at the age of eighteen began teaching school, which he followed for about four years.

He then began trading and speculating in horses, cattle and produce, taking the same to New Orleans by flatboat. In this way he made quite a little money, but in 1837 he lost it all by the failure of the state banks in the financial crash of that year.

He struggled on until 1843, when he found himself without a dollar, but he was enterprising and industrous, and learning that photography was becoming a profitable business, he set about fitting himself for that work. He was a apt scholar, and before long he had mastered the business, procurred an outfit and started out as a traveling artist. He was thus employed for about five years, during which time he made a considerable sum of money.

He then took up residence in Jefferson County and purchased a good farm. It was here that Mr. Taylor formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Frances HAM, a widow and mother of C.D. HAM, the present cashier of the Mt. Vernon Bank. Not long afterward they were married, and locating upon a farm, Mr. Taylor carried on agricultural pursuits and engaged in stock-raising. He also owned a tannery and carried on a shoe shop, for his enterprising and progressive spirit led him to take up any honorable pursuit whereby he might increase his financial resources.

He was not avaricious, but he wished to get a good start in life and secure a comfortable home for himself and family. After some eighteen years spent in this line of business, on account of the failing health of his wife, Mr. Taylor removed to Mt. Vernon, where he carried on merchandising in connection with C.D. Ham.

They also operated a woolen mill for five years, when they sold out, and in company with others, organized the Mt. Vernon National Bank, Mr. Taylor being one of its largest shareholders. He has since been connected with that institution and is also interested in other enterprises, being a stockholder in the water works, the car shops and coal mine, and he owns an extensive farm of nearly six hundred acres.

During the Civil War he was appointed by Governor YATES to help organize the State Militia, and in this way did good service for his country. He has been a staunch Republican since the formation of the party, and for sixty years has been a faithful member of the Methodist Church, to the support of which he contributes liberally. He started out in life empty-handed, but has steadily worked his way upward, and his honorable, upright dealings well merit the handsome competence which he has acquired, and which is but the just reward of his labors.

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois.
Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties, Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Governors of the State and the Presidents of the United States," Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1894
Typed by Sharlet;
Submitted By: Misty Flannigan