Daniel G. Taylor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
St. Louis, Missouri, US
Daniel G. Taylor | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| 17th Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri | |
| In office 1861–1863 | |
| Preceded by | Oliver Filley |
| Succeeded by | Chauncey Filley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 15, 1819 Cincinnati, Ohio, US |
| Died | October 8, 1878 (aged 58) St. Louis, Missouri, US |
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery |
| Political party | Union Anti-Black Republican |
Daniel G. Taylor (November 15, 1819 – October 8, 1878) was the 17th mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, serving from 1861 to 1863.
Taylor worked as a steamboat captain on the Ohio River and Mississippi River. In 1845, he head the steamer Clairmont across the Yellowstone River for a fur-trading expedition of Pierre Chouteau. Taylor founded the steamboat agency of Taylor & Hopkins. He was also head of the Boatmen's Insurance & Trust Company.
Career
Taylor became a councilman for St. Louis between 1852 and 1855. Taylor became a Republican in opposition of secession of the Confederate States of America. He nevertheless held racist views like many of his constituents. Taylor did not support the GOP platform of abolitionism and emancipation. Thus, Taylor emerged behind the so-called "Union Anti-Black Republican." Taylor won the St. Louis mayoral election of April 1861, defeating John How. The "Union Anti-Black Republican" councilmen also won, except in the First and Second Wards. St. Louis experienced "increasing prosperity and continued happiness" at the time of the election of Taylor and his new Republican faction. Taylor, however, did not have time to congratulate the victories of the Union Anti-Black Republican party because of the tensions that arose due to the war. The St. Louis population experienced bitterness, as was seen in the political sentiment. A few individuals reduced to deplorable character and contributed to the increase in violence. Riots frequently broke out over the issues of secession and slavery. Murder became common in some cases. The new Republican mayor had positions that perplexed and embarrassed the populace in the midst of the prevailing excitement. St. Louis, nevertheless, remained a city of law and order. Taylor found the legality of the mass of citizens to be a source of no little self-congratulation. Missouri became a forefront in battles and violence. The mayor could not save the city from the devastation: factories closed, the steamboat interest was protracted, real estate depreciated, rents diminished, and construction halted. Taylor urged the Union and Confederacy "to interpose and restore the blessings of peace, order, and good government." Taylor was re-elected in 1862. Taylor appointed J. Gabriel Woerner to the presidency of the City Council.[1]
He led an expedition to recover bodies from the burning on 28 October 1869 of the steamer, Stonewall at Neely's Landing, Missouri, on the Mississippi.
After the Civil War, Taylor worked as treasurer from 1870 through 1872.
