John Taylor (Taylor Ham)
Encyclopedia
John Taylor was an American
businessman and politician who served in the New Jersey Senate
. He formed Taylor Provisions Company and created Pork Roll. He also founded the Taylor Opera House
in Trenton, New Jersey
. Taylor Street in Trenton is also named for him.
Taylor was born in Hamilton Square, New Jersey
in 1836. His father James F. Taylor, owner of a brick yard, died when John was fourteen. Taylor entered the grocery business as a store clerk at seventeen. He quickly earned an interest with his company but left after a year to form his own partnership with James Ronan, which lasted for two years before Taylor bought Ronan's share. From 1860 through 1870, he worked in the wholesale grocery business in association with D.P. Forst. Shortly thereafter, Taylor began working in the pork and cattle packaging industry. This enterprise was organized into the Taylor Provision Company in 1888.
Taylor was a Republican active in Trenton's City Council, where he served as chairman of the finance committee. He was elected State Senator for Mercer County
, serving from 1880 to 1883. He declined a second term.
He helped to abolish the street markets of New Jersey, and organized the Inter-State Fair in 1888.
In 1860, he married Catherine Rowley who later bore him two sons: Harry C., born in September 1864, and William T., October 1869. He is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Trenton.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and politician who served in the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
. He formed Taylor Provisions Company and created Pork Roll. He also founded the Taylor Opera House
Taylor Opera House
Taylor Opera House was an opera house in Trenton, New Jersey. It was the city's first theater, and was founded by John Taylor, creator of Taylor Ham and one of Trenton's leading citizens. The building first opened March 18, 1867 at 18 S. Broad Street...
in Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
. Taylor Street in Trenton is also named for him.
Taylor was born in Hamilton Square, New Jersey
Hamilton Square, New Jersey
Hamilton Square is a census-designated place, colonial village and suburban area in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. Hamilton Square, New Jersey was founded in 1692. The Colonial Village is splendid and grand...
in 1836. His father James F. Taylor, owner of a brick yard, died when John was fourteen. Taylor entered the grocery business as a store clerk at seventeen. He quickly earned an interest with his company but left after a year to form his own partnership with James Ronan, which lasted for two years before Taylor bought Ronan's share. From 1860 through 1870, he worked in the wholesale grocery business in association with D.P. Forst. Shortly thereafter, Taylor began working in the pork and cattle packaging industry. This enterprise was organized into the Taylor Provision Company in 1888.
Taylor was a Republican active in Trenton's City Council, where he served as chairman of the finance committee. He was elected State Senator for Mercer County
Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 350,761 people, 125,807 households, and 86,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,552 people per square mile . There were 133,280 housing units at an average density of 590 per square mile...
, serving from 1880 to 1883. He declined a second term.
He helped to abolish the street markets of New Jersey, and organized the Inter-State Fair in 1888.
In 1860, he married Catherine Rowley who later bore him two sons: Harry C., born in September 1864, and William T., October 1869. He is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Trenton.