HON. LEROY S. TAYLOR

HON. LEROY S. TAYLOR was born July 23, 1827, in Delaware County, Ohio. In 1835 his parents removed to Illinois, where the son resided for the succeeding fifteen years. At Chicago he spent the number of his younger years, having published a directory of that city in 1847, when it had a population, all told, of only 20,023, and there he also is entered upon the study of law with Horn & Skinner. Next he became a member of the party who called themselves the "Illinois Company," and set out for the long journey across the plains. When approaching Salt Lake City, some of the boys found an old wagon and utilize the portion of the wheel for making pack saddles. The noted Perley[Parley] P. Pratt, of Mormon notoriety, happened along, and seeing the opportunity for extortion, seized quickly upon it. He claimed the ownership of the wagon and demanded heavy damages for the broken wheel. They refused his claim and he brought suit against them at Salt Lake City. Mr. Taylor was chosen to defend; but, seeing there was no hope of a fair trial they paid $40 to settle the matter. Fortunately they had no other serious trouble on the journey, except severe suffering from the alkali upon the desert. Finding a stray Mexican steer, they killed it for food. Eating of this caused the most virulent diarrhoea. This clung to Mr. Taylor for years, and at one time threatened to cause his death. They reached the "classic" shades of Hangtown August 19, 1850. Mr. Taylor was glad to take the first thing that came to hand, and agreed to work for a man who was seeking a prospect hole, to be paid according to the results. At the end of one day, however, the man threw up the undertaking, paid one dollar only for the work done and set Mr. Taylor off. With two others he then went to Coloma and washed for gold, taking out about $4 a day for a little time. From there he went to Georgetown, and thence to Canyon Creek, where he did well, but was so reduced by the diarrhoea, already spoken of, that he gave entirely out and was carried by conveyance to Coloma, and lay sick for a long time. Upon becoming able to go around again, he went to Secret Ravine, and from there to Ox-bow Tunnel, near Grey Eagle, where, after long and arduous toil in damming the river, etc., got nothing at all. Afterward he mined at various other points, with varying success, having spent in all about three years mining in El Dorado County. After this he went to Solano County, engaged in merchandising, and for about a year held the position of deputy district attorney. He then went to Santa Cruz County, where, in the red-woods, he was engaged for sometime in superintending the construction of mills. Finally, in 1857, Mr. Taylor returned to Sacramento, where he has resided ever since. He first became a clerk in a general store, but soon began the study of law. In July, 1858, he was admitted to practice, and has ever since that time been in the successful pursuit of his profession. Mr. Taylor is a man who makes no display of his powers. His high character and his uniform success has proved the value of his services to his clients. It is not alone the as a lawyer, however that he has made his influence felt in this community. For a long time he was county commissioner in this county, during the term ending in 1889, represented a Nineteenth Assembly District in the Legislature. During the last six sessions he was chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, probably the most important of all the committees in the House. He is a stanch Republican. Mr. Taylor is a married man, and has two children, a son and a daughter. The son, E. D. Taylor, is a leading searcher of records, having his office in the same building as his father. Mr. Taylor is Past Grand Master in the Odd Fellows order.

An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. By Hon. Win. J Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 260-261.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.