Nelson TAYLOR, Congress, NY (1821-1894)

TAYLOR, Nelson, a Representative from New York; born in South Norwalk, Conn., June 8, 1821; attended the common schools; enlisted for the Mexican War as a captain in the First Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, August 1, 1846, and was sent to California in 1846 just before the outbreak of the war; was honorably mustered out September 18, 1848; remained in California and engaged in business at Stockton; member of the State senate 1850-1856; president of the board of trustees of the State insane asylum 1850-1856; elected sheriff of San Joaquin County in 1855; moved to New York City; was graduated from the law department of Harvard University in 1860; was admitted to the bar and practiced; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for election in 1860 to the Thirty-seventh Congress; was commissioned colonel of the Seventy-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, July 23, 1861; brigadier general of Volunteers September 7, 1862; resigned from the service January 19, 1863; resumed the practice of law in New York City; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-ninth Congress (March 4, 1865-March 3, 1867); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1866 to the Fortieth Congress; moved to South Norwalk, Conn., in 1869 and continued the practice of law; served several times as city attorney; died in South Norwalk, Fairfield County, Conn., January 16, 1894; interment in Riverside Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present