Ohio Biographies



O. J. Taylor


O. J. Taylor was born in Sidney, September 26, 1830, and after attending the Sidney schools took a commercial course at Cincinnati. He then engaged in civil engineering a few years, and made the preliminary survey of the Bee Line Railroad, and also surveyed several months for the Pan Handle Company. In 1854 he went into business in Sidney, which will be found treated under business interests. He was married in June, 155 to Miss Sarah Harrison. They have reared six children, named Harrison J., May Belle, Jennie O., Willis R., Oliver E., and Charles J.

O. J. Taylor commenced the hardware business in 1854 under the firm name of McLain & Taylor, and continued under this style until 1856. First opened in the old Piper building, but in November moved into the room now occupied by G. C. Kelsey, and three years later to that now occupied by the German American Bank. In 1863 left here and moved into a building on Main Street. In 1859 the firm became Taylor & Stephenson, and in 1864, Taylor & Bro. In 1881 Mr. O. J. Taylor assumed sole proprietorship. In 1873 he erected a building 50 by 120 feet, on the corner of Main and Poplar, facing on Main. It contains two storerooms on first floor; the second floor is used for offices, and the third floor as an opera hall with a seating capacity of about 1000 persons. The lower corner room is 100 by 25, with an iron room to the rear 22 by 66 feet these being used as hardware sales and storeroom by Mr. Taylor, who carries a stock of from $18,000 to $20,000 at all times. 

 

From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883

 


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