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John W. Taylor (March 26, 1784 – September 18, 1854) was an early 19th-century U.S. politician from New York. He served twice as speaker of the House of Representatives.
John W. Taylor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office December 5, 1825 – March 4, 1827 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Clay |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Stevenson |
| In office November 15, 1820 [a] – March 4, 1821 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Clay |
| Succeeded by | Philip P. Barbour |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York | |
| In office March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1833 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas R. Gold |
| Succeeded by | Joel Turrill |
| Constituency | 11th district (1813–1823) 17th district (1823–1833) |
| Member of the New York Senate from the 5th district | |
| In office January 1, 1841 – December 31, 1842 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Young |
| Succeeded by | Sidney Lawrence |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 26, 1784 Charlton, New York |
| Died | September 18, 1854 (aged 70) Cleveland, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican (before 1825) National Republican (after 1825) |
| Spouse | Jane Hodge Taylor |
| Alma mater | Union College |
| Profession | Law |
Life
editTaylor was born in 1784 in that part of the Town of Ballston, then in Albany County, New York, which was, upon the creation of Saratoga County in 1791, split off to form the Town of Charlton. He received his first education at home.
Taylor graduated from Union College in 1803 as valedictorian of his class. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1807, and practiced in Ballston Spa, New York. In 1806, he married Jane Hodge (died 1838), of Albany, New York, and they had eight children. He was a member from Saratoga County of the New York State Assembly in 1812 and 1812–13.
Taylor served in the United States House of Representatives for 20 years, from 1813 to 1833, and was twice elected as Speaker of the House: in 1820 and in 1825. In 1819, he supported the proposed Tallmadge Amendment regarding the Missouri Territory's admission to the Union as a free state (which passed the House, but was defeated in the Senate), and was a staunch proponent of the subsequent Missouri Compromise of March 1820. During the floor debate on the Tallmadge Amendment, Taylor boldly criticized southern lawmakers who frequently voiced their dismay that slavery was entrenched and necessary to their existence.[1]
After leaving Congress, Taylor resumed his law practice in Ballston Spa, and was a member of the New York State Senate (4th D.) in 1841 and 1842. He resigned his seat on August 19, 1842, after suffering a paralytic stroke. In 1843, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to live with his eldest daughter and her husband William D. Beattie, and died there 11 years later.[2] He was buried in the Ballston Spa Village Cemetery.
Note(s)
edit- ^ multi-ballot election; voting lasted two days (The vacancy was caused by Henry Clay's resignation in October)
References
edit- ^ Gooley, Lawrence P. (January 23, 2019). "John W. Taylor: New York's (Almost Only) Speaker of the House". Adirondack Almanack. Saranac Lake, New York: Adirondack Explorer. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ Genealogy of Judge John Taylor and His Descendants , pages 25ff
External links
edit
- United States Congress. "John W. Taylor (id: T000091)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 70ff, 133, 146, 186f and 309; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)