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Below is a family biography included in Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1903.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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C. V. Taylor, a prominent manufacturer of vehicles at Pontiac, was born in 1845 m Oakland County, Michigan, and is a son of William Taylor, who was born in New Jersey and came to Oakland County as one of the early pioneers.

William Taylor found Oakland County but a wilderness when he came here to seek a home. This he carved out for himself and family, locating in the vicinity of Oakland, in Oakland township. He met an accidental death in 1887, at the age of 70 years. He married a daughter of John Axford, who located in Oakland County about the same time as did William Taylor. She also passed away about 1895. Several members of the family live in Oakland County, but our subject is the only one located at Pontiac.

C. V. Taylor was educated in the common schools of Oakland township. In 1870 he entered the employ of the late Green Freeman in the latter’ s flouring mills, later embarking in the dry goods business with Jarvis J. Green, of Pontiac, with whom he continued six years. He was interested in several other enterprises, but in 1886 he established his present manufacturing business, beginning in a small way. By careful industry, Mr. Taylor has increased his business until now he occupies 80,000 square feet of floor space and employs, on an average, from 75 to 100 men. He manufactures a general line of buggies, wagons, surreys and carts of all kinds, his product meeting with steady sales. He gives his business his personal attention and watches his output so that the standard is kept up to the point which first attracted attention and caused continued growth. He is progressive, wide-awake and thoroughly modern in his ideas and puts upon the market goods which can not be duplicated at a less price.

Mr. Taylor was married to a Miss Wilson, who was born in Scotland, and they have three young children. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have a pleasant and attractive home in Pontiac, where they are regarded with much esteem. In religious views they are Episcopalians. Mr. Taylor votes with the Democratic party, but has rigidly refused to accept public office. He is one of the representative business men of Pontiac as well as a descendant of two of the oldest pioneer families.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published in 1903. 

View additional Oakland County, Michigan family biographies here: Oakland County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Oakland County, Michigan here: Oakland County Michigan Map

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