Background
Taylor was born in Hamilton Square, New Jersey, in 1836. His father James F. Taylor, owner of a brick yard, died when John was fourteen.
Taylor was born in Hamilton Square, New Jersey, in 1836. His father James F. Taylor, owner of a brick yard, died when John was fourteen.
He formed Taylor Provisions Company and created John Taylor"s Pork Roll. He also founded the Taylor Opera House in Trenton, New Jersey. Taylor Street in Trenton is also named for him.
Taylor entered the grocery business as a store clerk at seventeen.
From 1860 through 1870, he worked in the wholesale grocery business in association with Doctorate.P. Forst. Shortly thereafter, Taylor began working in the pork and cattle packaging industry.
This enterprise was organized into the Taylor Provision Company in 1888. Taylor was a Republican active in Trenton"s City Council, where he served as chairman of the finance committee.
He was elected State Senator for Mercer County, serving from 1880 to 1883.
He declined a second term. He helped to abolish the street markets of New Jersey, and organized the Inter-State Fair in 1888. He is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Trenton.