Based on excerpts from the biographical folder on William M. Taylor, his parents were slaves owned by a Dr. Clement, a former Tennessee native who moved to Texas. Taylor’s father’s name was Edward Taylor and his mother’s name was Paralee. Rev. Taylor was born January 28, ca.1864. He attended Bishop College and took the county exam and passed to become a certified teacher in his early teens. He was the youngest person to pass the Anderson County Board. He taught school in Palestine,TX and Gonzales, TX.

In 1890, he took a business trip traveling throughout the North visiting Detroit and other cities in Michigan. He also visited Chicago, St. Louis, Ontario, Canada, Niagara Falls, Syracuse, Rochester, and Albany, New York, Philadelphia, Jersey City, and Memphis.

In 1891, Taylor attended Guadalupe College and graduated in 1894. His benefactor, mentor, and teacher was a black professor he first met during his studies at Bishop College, Professor David Abner. He renewed his acquaintance with Professor Abner when he became president of Guadalupe College and Taylor began his studies there in the fall of 1891. He graduated in 1894 with the funding and support provided by Professor Abner and other instructors and staff at the College.

He was elected state organizer for the General Baptist State Convention. He served four years as President of BYUP ( Baptist Young Peoples Union President) and handled financial affairs for the East Texas Associational District that represented the financial interest of Bishop College, Hearne Academy, and Guadalupe College. During this time Taylor decided to answer his calling to the ministry. He was examined and ordained a minister March 4, 1895. His first church was Palestine Baptist Church then in 1896 he became pastor of Second Baptist Church in Port Lavaca, TX. He resigned from this church in the fall of 1896 to become the educational field agent of Guadalupe College.

Throughout all of these educational and religious endeavors, Rev. Taylor lost his parents, had to care for his brothers and sisters through illnesses, death, and provide all of their financial support. After the death of his siblings, Rev. Taylor moved to Brenham, Texas and married Mayme Alice Sinclair of Gonzales, Texas. The biography included in this collection ends at this point in his life. Anyone interested in what African Americans had to overcome to attain an education and become productive members of society will find Reverend William Taylor’s life story of compelling interest.

Guadalupe College, a black-owned and black-operated institution, was founded in 1884 by the Guadalupe Baptist Association. Bishop College was founded in Marshall in 1881 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Hearne Academy was founded in 1881 by Black Baptists in Central and South Texas. Additional information on the founding of these schools is available at the Red River Authority of Texas website: http://www.rra.dst.tx.us/c_t/History1/BLACK%20COLLEGES.cfm