William H. Taylor

History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

WILLIAM H. TAYLOR.

It is an agreeable task to commemorate an active and useful life. If it be a worldly favor to the hand that presents the sword of honor to the victor, or the decoration to successful merit, it is a quiet but not less grateful privilege to be, to the deserving, the channel of their remembrance and praise.

William H. Taylor, the subject of this biography, the son of William H. and Mary Ann White Taylor, was born on the 23d of January, 1827, at Birmingham, England, where his father was a prominent jeweler and silversmith. America offering advantages superior to the old world, in 1835 the latter, accompanied by his family, removed to this country.

William H. Taylor received a rudimentary education, and at an early age evincing a talent for mechanics, was apprenticed at the age of eighteen to Charles Dantforth, at Paterson, N. J., with whom he remained until the completion of his apprenticeship. Desiring a more extended knowledge of mechanics, he spent several years visiting the most prominent works, gaining new ideas, strengthening his mechanical abilities, and attaining proficiency in all departments of mechanical labor.

In 1851 he was married to Catharine G. Deeths, daughter of Nicholas and Ann Deeths, of Paterson, N. J., to whom were born three children,--Emma G., married to Arthur D. Troxell; Cassie G., married to Albert G. Wheeler; and William H., all of whom survived him.

In 1852, Mr. Taylor visited California, but returned in a short time to assume a responsible position. In 1865 the failing health of his wife compelled a trip to Europe, and while abroad additional mechanical knowledge was acquired. On his return, in 1866, he assumed an interest in the Watson Manufacturing Company, Paterson, N. J. This continued until the following year, when he embarked in a new enterprise, in which was laid the foundation for his subsequent extensive trade in machinery and machinist’s supplies. His previously acquired knowledge of machinery and his natural mechanical genius now came into full exercise. Accompanying these was decided capacity for business, great energy of character, and remarkable discernment in the prosecution of his enterprises.

A large portion of his trade emanating from Pennsylvania made it advisable to seek a location more convenient to his patrons. This fact influenced his removal to Allentown, Pa., in 1868, where his trade assumed large proportions, his establishment becoming the largest machinery and machinist’s supply depot in Eastern Pennsylvania. Desiring rest in 1876, in company with his wife, he again visited Europe, contemplating a continental tour, but returned the same year, his business in the country demanding his attention.

In 1879 he associated with him as partner his son, William H., who, on his father’s death, succeeded to the business, which has greatly increased in its proportions, the trade extending to all parts of the United States.

During the period of Mr. Taylor’s active business life in Allentown, he brought his establishment into such prominence, by fair and legitimate channels of trade, that the firm-name and the interests it represented became synonymous terms among the industrial establishments of Eastern Pennsylvania.

William H. Taylor was a man of the strictest integrity in all his business relations. Whatever he thought worth doing he believed worth doing well. The work that his hands found to do he did with his might. A man of strong convictions and tenacious of his opinions, he was ever fair and just in his daily intercourse with the world.

On the 4^th of June, 1880, after a brief illness, his diligent and honorable life calmly terminated. He had only attained his fifty-third year, his mind had lost none of its peculiar endowments, nor had his body yielded to the decrepitude of age. To his last moments his intellect was vigorous, his mind clear, and his will strong.

In the commercial circle, had he lived, he would have added to his already attained honor, but the hand of the Unseen, who disposes all things, closed his career, and by His touch consecrated the memory of this useful, honored citizen, and enterprising, successful business man.

Page 226-227

History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Alfred Mathews and Austin N. Hungerford

J. B. Lippincott & Co., Pennsylvania. 1884

Transcribed by Annette Bame Peebles

The Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies Project – http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~arkbios/Lehigh/index.html.

Date of Transcription: 12 June 2007

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