Nelson Taylor

For the one-term mayor of South Norwalk, Connecticut, see Nelson Taylor Jr. For the Canadian ice hockey goaltender, see Taylor Nelson.

Nelson Taylor
Member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 5th district
In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867
Preceded by	Fernando Wood
Succeeded by	John Morrissey
Member of the California Senate from San Joaquin, California
In office 1850–1856
Succeeded by	William D. Fairhead
Personal details
Born	(1821-06-08)June 8, 1821 South Norwalk, Connecticut
Died	January 16, 1894(1894-01-16) (aged 72) South Norwalk, Connecticut
Resting place	Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Ann Taylor (1823 – 1908)
Children	Nelson Taylor Jr. (1854 – 1912)
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	72nd New York Infantry Excelsior Brigade
Battles/wars	Mexican–American War American Civil War

Nelson Taylor (June 8, 1821 – January 16, 1894) was a U.S. Representative from New York and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Biography

Born in South Norwalk, Connecticut, Taylor attended the common schools. He enlisted for the Mexican–American 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. He was honorably mustered out September 18, 1848. He remained in California and engaged in business at Stockton. He served as member of the California Senate from San Joaquin 1850-1856. He served as president of the board of trustees of the State insane asylum 1850-1856.

Taylor was elected sheriff of San Joaquin County in 1855. He moved to New York City. He was graduated from the law department of Harvard University in 1860. He was admitted to the bar and practiced. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for election in 1860 to the Thirty-seventh Congress. He was commissioned colonel of the 72nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, July 23, 1861, and commanded the Excelsior Brigade during the autumn of 1862. He was a Brigadier general of Volunteers September 7, 1862. He resigned from the service January 19, 1863. He resumed the practice of law in New York City.

Taylor was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-ninth Congress (March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1866 to the Fortieth Congress. He moved to South Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1869 and continued the practice of law. He served several times as city attorney. He died in South Norwalk, Connecticut, January 16, 1894. He was interred in Riverside Cemetery.

He was the father of Nelson Taylor Jr., the mayor of South Norwalk, Connecticut in 1885, and Connecticut State Senator until 1888.

See also

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

• United States Congress. "Nelson Taylor (id: T000096)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-12