JAMES L. TAYLOR, M.D. - Dr. James L. Taylor has been a physician of Springfield for about seven years, but has engaged in practice since 1877. He was born in this county, upon a farm in the vicinity of Dawson, February 7, 1853, his parents being Isaac and Sarah M. (Elliot) Taylor. The father, a native of Kentucky, was born in 1809, and throughout his active business career carried on farming as a means of livelihood. He was married to Miss Sarah M. Elliot, a native of North Carolina, born in 1818, and a daughter of Andrew Elliot, who was also born in the Old North State, and after his marriage removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving here in 1819. He located in the city of Springfield and was one of the pioneer citizens of this portion fo the state. He was twice married, his second union being with Mrs. Kelley, and his family numbered six sons and four daughters. Among the latter was Mrs. Taylor, who is still living upon the old homestead near Dawson. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, were married and had families of their own, but three of the sisters are now deceased. The members of this family were Mary J., Zephia, Sarah, Dan A., Nancy E., Amasa M., John W., Isaac H., James L., Roscoe and Walter C.

Upon the home farm the Doctor was reared and in the schools of Dawson he pursued his literary education, after which he began preparing for the practice of medicine as a student in the office of Dr. Isaac H. Taylor, who directed his reading until he entered the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in which he was graduated with the class of 1877. He then located at Oakley, Macon county, Illinois, where he opened an office and continued in practice until his removal to Chatham, this county. In 1896 he came to Springfield, where his early student days had been passed, and entered upon what has proved a growing and profitable practice, his patronage coming from many of the best families of the city.

In 1899 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Taylor and Miss Belle W. Willison, of Butler, Missouri, a daughter of Charles H. and Sarah (Hinkle) Willison. They have two children, Charles and Lulu Pearl. Socially the Doctor is popular and prominent, being a valued member of the Masonic fraternity; Sangamon Lodge, No. 6, I.O.O.F., the Encampment, and the Modern Woodmen of America. In the line of his profession he is associated with the Sangamon County Medical Society and the State Medical Society. He has devoted his efforts continuously to his chosen life work and his close application, combined with comprehensive understanding of the principles of medicine and a ready adaptability of these to the ailments of suffering humanity, have made him a physician whose skill has placed him in advance of many who enter the ranks of the medical fraternity.