William Robert Taylor

William Robert Taylor ( * July 10, 1820 in Woodbury, Connecticut, † March 17, 1909 in Dane County, Wisconsin ) was an American politician and from 1874 to 1876, the twelfth Governor of the State of Wisconsin.

Early years and political rise

After the early death of his parents William Taylor was raised as an orphan. He was brought up by neighbors who under took him on a farm in upstate New York. In his 20s Taylor moved to Ohio. There he worked as a teacher and farmer. At times, he studied medicine. Then he moved to Cottage Grove in Wisconsin. In his new home town, he was a member and chairman of the municipal council. He also sat in the County Council of Dane County. Also in this body he was temporarily Chairman. At the same time he was a school commissioner of this district and chairman for the interests of the poorer citizens ( Superintendent of the Poor ).

Between 1860 and 1874 he was curator of a hospital for the mentally handicapped in Mendota. Taylor was also a member and president of the Agricultural Association of Wisconsin. In 1854, the Democrat for a year in the Wisconsin State Assembly was elected. Then, two years followed in the State Senate. During the Civil War he represented the political interests of the North. In 1873 he was elected as the first Democrat since 1856 to the Governor of Wisconsin. With 55.2 percent of the vote, he defeated the Republican incumbent Cadwallader C. Washburn.

Governor of Wisconsin

Taylor began his two-year term on January 5, 1874. He fought for reforms and austerity measures. So he paid the cost of his inauguration out of pocket. He was also against free tickets for the privileged on the railroad as against Free telegrams. He was able to reduce the budget expenditures. In part, this was also a result of job cuts in the public service. Due to political pressure from the Parliament and the opposition he was forced to meet the interests of the railway companies. The isolated him from his own party. This re- election to the office of the governor was denied him. Taylor depleted so much that he had to rely on welfare and had to live in a state home. He died in 1909. He was married to Catherine Hurd, with whom he had three children.