My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES L. TAYLOR, one of the progressive citizens and wide-awake business men of Sedalia, is the owner of the largest and finest jewelry establishment in the city, which was established in 1865 by C. G. Taylor, his father. Besides carrying on this business, Mr. Taylor is also time inspector for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company.

The subject of this sketch was born in Fairmont County, Va. (now West Virginia), April 21, 1861. His father, whose birth occurred in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1827, was a well educated gentleman, and learned the jewelry business in all its details in the Quaker City, first as a silversmith and afterward as a watchmaker. He was engaged for many years in the manufacture of watches and clocks in New York City, after which he removed to Fairmont County, Va., and later was engaged in business in Richmond. In 1865, however, he emigrated to Sedalia, Mo., and established the business of which his son, our subject, is now the proprietor. It was at first located on Main Street, but he afterward changed his location to No. 109 Ohio Street, where he continued to carry on a thriving trade until 1891, in which year Charles L. purchased the store and contents. He was one of the well-to-do merchants of the city, and his death, which occurred very suddenly, December 30, 1894, was a great shock to his many friends and acquaintances.

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Rosanna Busche, is a native of Germany, and now makes her home in this city. She reared two children, of whom Charles L. was the younger. He completed his education in the Kemper Family School at Boonville in 1876, and when ready to commence in life for himself entered his father’s store in order to become fully acquainted with that business. He worked industriously at this trade, and in 18gi, upon taking charge of this large establishment, was thoroughly competent to do so. In November, 1894, the location was changed to No. 215 Ohio Street, which is one of the finest stands in the city. Mr. Taylor carries a full line of clocks, watches, plated and solid silverware, diamonds, etc., and counts among his customers the best people of Sedalia.

Mr. Taylor was married in Palmyra, this state, August 25, 1886, to Miss Kate, daughter of James H. Doyle. The lady was born in Virginia and educated in Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. Taylor is a charter member and Vice-President of the Sedalia Building and Loan Association. He is also chief railroad time inspector for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, and in the discharge of the duties of this position travels all over the lines in Missouri.