Senator Robert Howe Taylor View All Years

Compiled Historical Information
Date of Death: 12/28/1882
Party Affiliation: Republican
Assemblies Served:
Senate: 14 (1872) - 15 (1874)
Home County: Marshall
Robert Howe Taylor
Marshall County
Born October 1, 1825, in Newport, Rhode Island, Mr. Taylor received his education and studied medicine in New York, coming West in 1853, and settling in Marshalltown in 1854, being one the oldest settlers. In 1861, he was elected county judge, and has held the office of county treasurer, county recorder and county supervisor. In 1871, he was elected Presidential Elector and in 1877, he was elected Mayor of this city. Politically he was originally a Whig, and clung to the party as long as it had an existence. He voted the American ticket in 1856, and has since been an unwavering republican. He edited the "Marshalltown Times" in 1858, and by pen and tongue has ably advocated the tenets of his party. He was quite active in getting the Chicago and Northwestern railway through Marshalltown, and was among the leaders in all local enterprises of the least consequence. Dr. Taylor has a second wife, his first being Miss Delia A. Pratt, of Marshalltown. His present wife was Miss Rachel Dunn, of La Porte, Indiana. They married in April, 1860. Dr. Taylor was state senator from the 1st of January, 1872, to the 1st of January, 1876. He was chairman of the committee on penitentiary the first session, chairman of the committee on senatorial districts the second, and also acted on ways and means and railroads, two committees of much importance. The doctor was examining surgeon for Marshall county in the early part of the civil war, and afterward was United States examining surgeon for pensions. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been grand high priest of the Grand Encampment of the Odd Fellows of the state. His religious connection is with the Unitarian church. He was a trustee of the Marshalltown society.
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