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FRANCIS TAYLOR, farmer and merchant, New Berlin; was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, on the 27th day of November, 1821; son of Daniel and Sally Taylor, natives of Fairfield county, Connecticut, where they were married, and eight children were born, four sons and four daughters, three of whom are living: Edward W., now of Fairfield county, Connecticut; William H., now a resident of Boston, and Francis. His father was a boot and shoe manufacturer and farmer. In politics, was an old line Whig; his parents died in Connecticut, after living together more than a half century.

Francis was raised on a farm, and received an academic education. In 1845, he married Miss Henrietta B. Morehouse, a daughter of Samuel T. Morehouse; she was born in Connecticut, in 1827. By this union there were four children, viz: Mary C., Albert J., Frank I., and Edward H.; Mrs. Taylor died in 1862. He was again married, to Harriet R. Rumsey, a daughter of Aaron B.; she was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, in 1839; by this marriage there were four children, viz: Charles R., William F., Harriet S., and Frederick D. Mr. Taylor came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1851; the immediate vicinity of New Berlin was sparsely settled, there being but one store building in the village when he located and made a farm, and afterwards engaged in the real estate business; has nine hundred acres of land in Sangamon county, all of which is under good cultivation, valued at $65 per acre; the present season he has four hundred and fifty acres of corn on his place. In 1881, he embarked in the mercantile business, in company with his son, where they carry a stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, and everything that is usually carried in a village store; carries a stock of $10,000. Mr. Taylor is a large dealer in western land, owning between two and three thousand acres.