An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 386-387 JOSEPH M. TAYLOR, Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at the State University of Washington, was born in Waterford, Ohio, June 3, 1854, a son of Joseph and Diana (Sherman) Taylor, natives also of that State. The paternal ancestors settled in Maryland in an early day. On his mother's side our subject was a lineal descendant of Roger Sherman, of Massachusetts. Joseph Taylor followed boat-building on the Muskingum river, and also a general carpenter business. Joseph M., the subject of this sketch, received his preparatory education in the high schools of Stockport and Malta, assisting in his material support by teaching school a part of each year, and during his vacations would assist his father in boat-building or carpenter work. In 1874 he entered Adrian College, Michigan, for a special course of study in mathematics, Latin and German, but did not graduate, although he subsequently received the degree of Master of Science from the same institution. Mr. Taylor then taught in the public schools of Ohio until 1878, the following year served as Professor of Mathematics and Latin in the Southeastern Ohio Normal, and in 1879 took up his residence in Oregon. He began work in that State in a shingle and planing mill at Milton, Umatilla county, and in 1889 drove from Walla Walla to Kelton, Utah, on the line of the Union Pacific, to meet his wife amid family. Mr. Taylor then located at Milton, as principal of the public schools, but in 1882 accepted the position of principal of the Centerville public schools. At the organization of the Eastern Oregon State Normal, at Weston, that State, our subject was chosen principal, which position he held one year. During all these years of teaching Mr. Taylor has also been actively connected with institute work under State Superintendents L.J. Powell and E.B. McElroy, and by the latter was given a life diploma as an instructor in the State. In July, 1885, he was invited by Superintendent Cox, of Pierce county, Washington, to conduct a two-weeks institute in that county, and while there, was called upon by L.J. Powell, President of the Territorial University, and offered a position in that institution. This was accepted by Prof. Taylor, and in August, 1885, he removed to Seattle. His first duties were as Principal of the Normal department, and in addition he was given higher mathematics, and later was elected to the Chair of Mathematics and Astronomy, which position he still occupies. To advance the facilities for the study of astronomy, in the summer of 1891, Prof. Taylor spent about two mouths as special student at the Lick Observatory, at Mount Hamilton, California, and after his return to Seattle the Board of Regents of the State University, appropriated $3,000 to build and equip a small observatory in connection with the institution. Our subject superintended its erection, and purchased a telescope, the mountings of which was made by Warner & Swasey, of Cleveland, Ohio, and the optical parts by Brashear, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. The meteorological department is also equipped with improved instruments, and Prof. Taylor is the director of the observatory, which is a valuable addition to the university. In. 1875, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Diantha Evans, a native of Roxbury, Ohio. She died in 1880, leaving two children: May C. and Inez M. Mr. Taylor was again married, in Centerville, Oregon, in February, 1884, to Alice, a daughter of Frederick J. Morie, who located in Walla Walla, in 1862. To this union have been born three children: Frederick S., Ruth G. and Ellen B. Socially, Prof. Taylor affiliates with the Masonic order and the I.O.O.F. In the former, he is Past Master of St. John's Lodge, Past High Priest of chapter, Prelate of the commandery of Knights Templar, Grand Orator of Grand Chapter of Washington, Senior Grand Warden of Grand Lodge, Commander-in-Chief of Lawson Consistory, No. 1, of Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, Knight of Court of Honor, Master Chapter of Rose Croix, Preceptor of Knights of Kadosh, and a member of Afifi Temple, at Tacoma, Ancient Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In Odd Fellowship, he has passed the chairs of Olive Branch lodge and Unity Encampment, and is Senior Grand Warden of Grand Encampment of the State of Washington. Prof. Taylor is also an active member of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, in which he takes great pride, as astronomy is the occupation of his life. He was appointed a member of the State Board of Education, by Governor McGraw, in 1893, and is now Secretary of the Board. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.