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John W. Taylor (politician) facts for kids

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John W. Taylor
SpeakerTaylor.png
9th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office
December 5, 1825 – March 4, 1827
Preceded by Henry Clay
Succeeded by Andrew Stevenson
In office
November 15, 1820 – March 4, 1821
Preceded by Henry Clay
Succeeded by Philip P. Barbour
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1823
Preceded by Thomas R. Gold
Succeeded by Charles A. Foote
In office
March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1833
Preceded by Thomas H. Hubbard
Succeeded by Joel Turrill
Member of the New York Senate
from the 5th district
In office
January 1, 1841 – December 31, 1842
Preceded by Samuel Young
Succeeded by Sidney Lawrence
Personal details
Born March 26, 1784
Charlton, New York
Died September 18, 1854 (aged 70)
Cleveland, Ohio
Political party Democratic-Republican (before 1825)
National Republican (after 1825)
Spouse Jane Hodge Taylor
Alma mater Union College
Profession Law

John W. Taylor (March 26, 1784 – September 18, 1854) was an early 19th-century U.S. politician from New York. He was the first speaker of the House of Representatives from the state.

Life

Taylor was born in 1784 in that part of the Town of Ballston, then in Albany County, New York, which was, upon the creation of Saratoga County in 1791, split off to form the Town of Charlton. He received his first education at home.

Taylor graduated from Union College in 1803 as valedictorian of his class. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1807, and practiced in Ballston Spa, New York. In 1806, he married Jane Hodge (died 1838), of Albany, New York, and they had eight children. He was a member from Saratoga County of the New York State Assembly in 1812 and 1812–13.

Taylor served in the United States House of Representatives for 20 years, from 1813 to 1833, and was twice elected as Speaker of the House: in 1820 and in 1825. In 1819, he supported the proposed Tallmadge Amendment regarding the Missouri Territory's admission to the Union as a free state (which passed the House, but was defeated in the Senate), and was a staunch proponent of the subsequent Missouri Compromise of March 1820. During the floor debate on the Tallmadge Amendment, Taylor boldly criticized southern lawmakers who frequently voiced their dismay that slavery was entrenched and necessary to their existence.

After leaving Congress, Taylor resumed his law practice in Ballston Spa, and was a member of the New York State Senate (4th D.) in 1841 and 1842. He resigned his seat on August 19, 1842, after suffering a paralytic stroke. In 1843, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to live with his eldest daughter and her husband William D. Beattie, and died there 11 years later. He was buried in the Ballston Spa Village Cemetery.

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