Nelson Taylor

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 Seventy-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, 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 4, 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.