Background
He was born in Saint Paul’s Parish, Manitoba, the son of James Taylor, chief fisherman for the Hudson"s Bay Company, and Mary Inkster, and was educated there.
He was born in Saint Paul’s Parish, Manitoba, the son of James Taylor, chief fisherman for the Hudson"s Bay Company, and Mary Inkster, and was educated there.
He represented Headingly from 1875 to 1879 in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. From 1852 to 1856, Taylor taught school at Oxford House, at Norway House and at the parish school in Headingley. In 1856, he bought land on the Assiniboine River.
He was elected in 1870 but was unseated after some votes were declared invalid.
Taylor was elected in the general election that followed in 1875 and again in 1878. Taylor also was a justice of the peace and served thirty years as a school trustee.
He died at home in Headingley. John Taylor Collegiate in Winnipeg was named in his honour.
He was a member of the Manitoba cabinet, serving as Minister of Agriculture.