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Robert J. Taylor, M. D., was born in 1846 in Franklin County, the eighth of nine children (five deceased) of Jesse, Sr., and Nancy (Hill) Taylor, the former of German stock, born in May, 1810, in Pope (now Saline) County, Illinois Territory, and the latter probably of English blood, born in April, 1812, in Kentucky.

The grandparents; Herring and Sallie (Cotton) Taylor, came from Tennessee when southern Illinois was a wilderness, locating in White (now Franklin) County when Jessie was only four years old. The latter grew up in pioneer life and helped clear the land now owned by the heirs and widow of the late Milton C. Taylor. Deer and turkey hunting were familiar pastimes.

In 1829 he married Nancy Hill and settled on his present farm in Northern Township. She died in February, 1867. Jesse Taylor is still living and with our subject. The Doctor was educated in his native county, in this county, and at Ewing High School (now college), which he attended the first day and term of its organization. When twenty-one he began for himself, by teaching in winter and farming in summer, excepting the first two summers spent in attendance at school at Ewing. In October, 1873, he attended lectures at Keokuk, and graduated at the end of the second course, in the spring of 1874. He returned with his diploma, and has ever since been practicing at his present home, and engaged in farm superintendence, excepting one year's practice at Spring Garden in Jefferson County, with Dr. J. Peavler.

In 1876 he married Amanda Peavler who

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died in May, 1877. In October, 1880, he married Parlee, a daughter of T. J. and Sarah Fowler. Lua Althea and De Bruce are their living children, and Josie F. and an infant are deceased. His wife was born in 1860 in Weakley County, Tenn. Out subject is highly regarded as a man and physician, and in politics is a Democrat, first voting for Seymour. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the F. M. B. A. order. For two years he was township clerk, and was school treasurer seven years. The father cast his first vote for Jackson, and has always since been a Democrat. He was constable fourteen years and county supervisor and commissioner.