John J. Taylor (New York politician)

John James Taylor, New York Congressman and Judge

John James Taylor (April 27, 1808 – July 1, 1892) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Education

Born in Leominster, Massachusetts, Taylor attended the common schools, New Ipswich Academy, and Groton Academy. He graduated from Harvard University in 1829. He engaged in teaching for a short time. He moved to Troy, New York, in 1830. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1834 and commenced practice in Greene, New York. He moved to Owego, New York, in 1834 and continued the practice of law.

Political career

He was appointed district attorney of Tioga County in 1838, and served until 1843, when he resigned. He served as member of the village board of trustees in 1839, 1843, and 1848. First chief engineer of the fire department in 1844. He served as member of the State constitutional convention in 1846. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1850 to the Thirty-second Congress.

Taylor was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855). He resumed the practice of his profession. Tendered the appointment of commissioner to settle the northwestern boundary of the United States by President Franklin Pierce, but declined the position. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York in 1858. He served as president of the village of Owego in 1859. He engaged in banking.

Taylor was elected vice president and later president of the Southern Central Railway Co., later the Auburn division of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He died in Owego, New York, July 1, 1892. He was interred in Evergreen Cemetery.

References

• John J. Taylor at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• John J. Taylor at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.