NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Since June, 1899, John G. TAYLOR has been doing a very effective work as health officer for the town of Dover. Mr. TAYLOR is an excellent type of the vigilant and energetic public official, and at the same time possesses the fine discretion which enables him to serve the community in the highest possible degree without interfering with its normal and wholesome activities. Mr. TAYLOR belongs to an old family of Morris county, and both for that reason and for his individual prominence he is well entitled to representation in this work. His home is at 67 Prospect street in Dover, where he owns a comfortable residence.

John G. TAYLOR was born at Dover, April 16, 1866, a son of Alfred TAYLOR and a grandson of John TAYLOR. The maiden name of his mother was Susan EDWARDS. Both parents were natives of England where they were married, and on emigrating to America spent a few months in New York State, and then located at Dover. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world about 1856. The father was a harness manufacturer. In their family were the following children:

• Theophilus,
• Edward A.,
• Elizabeth,
• James W.,
• Martha, wife of John SPARGO;
• Frederick,
• John G.,
• Hattie, wife of Oscar PEER.

John G. TAYLOR attended only the schools of Dover, and most of his education was of a very practical nature. After leaving school he found a job as a traveling salesman, and sold goods on the road for three years. He next became one of the firm of TAYLOR Brothers, conducting a high class clothing store at Dover. On selling out his interest in that firm he took the position of health officer in June, 1899, and has since devoted his time to those duties. In politics Mr. TAYLOR is a Republican. He and his wife and family attend the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

He married, May 11, 1893, Retta SMITH, a native of Newton, New Jersey, daughter of Barton and Caroline (VAN ORDEN) SMITH. Her father was for some years a hotel man and later did a large business as a dealer in horses. The children in the SMITH family were:

• Stella, wife of Edwin BELL;
• Charles, who met his death by a train accident; and
• Mrs. John G. TAYLOR.

Mr. and Mrs. TAYLOR are the parents of two sons,

• William E., and
• Charles B.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).

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