Charles H. Taylor (Michigan politician)

Charles Hatch Taylor (November 20, 1813 – January 9, 1889) was an American politician who served as the Michigan Secretary of State.

Charles H. Taylor
Michigan Secretary of State
In office 1850–1852
Preceded by	George R. Redfield
Succeeded by	William Graves
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Kent and Ottawa County district
In office January 4, 1847 – April 3, 1848
Personal details
Born	(1813-11-20)November 20, 1813 Cooperstown, New York
Died	January 9, 1889(1889-01-09) (aged 75) Kent County, Michigan
Political party	Democratic

Early life

Charles H. Taylor was born on November 20, 1813 in Cooperstown, New York to parents Elisha and Aurelia Taylor. In New York, Charles received an education at an academy. Charles settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1837.[1]

Career

Taylor served as the clerk of Kent County, Michigan for eight years. On November 2, 1846, Prosser was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where he represented the Kent and Ottawa County district from January 4, 1847 to April 3, 1848.[2] Taylor served as one of five commissioners who chose the location of the insane asylum in Kalamazoo, Michigan and the deaf and dumb asylum in Flint, Michigan. Taylor edited the Grand Rapids Enquirer from 1847 to 1855. Taylor served as Michigan Secretary of State from 1850 to 1852. He was the first secretary of state elected under the 1850 Michigan Constitution. In 1861, Taylor became chief editor of the Detroit Free Press but retired the position due to poor health in 1862.[3]

Personal life

Charles H. Taylor was married to Abigail M. Taylor. Together, they had four children.[2]

Taylor died on January 9, 1889 in Kent County. He lived in Grand Rapids at the time of his death. He was interred at the Fulton Street Cemetery in Grand Rapids.[1][2][4]

References

1. Fisher, Ernest B. (1918). Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan : historical account of their progress from first settlement to the present time. Internet Archive.
2. "Legislator Details - Charles H. Taylor". Library of Michigan. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
3. Bingham, Stephen D. (1888). Early History of Michigan: With Biographies of State Officers, Members of Congress, Judges and Legislators. Thorp & Godfrey, state printers – via Internet Archive.
4. "Charles Hatch Taylor Memorial". Find a Grave. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

Political offices
Preceded by George R. Redfield	Michigan Secretary of State 1850–1852	Succeeded by William Graves