admin HON. HARRY L. TAYLOR, County Judge of Erie County, is a jurist whose recently attained judicial honors are the logical result of high professional standing. Judge Taylor is in the vigorous prime of life and has had a career which, in many respects unique, is in its essentials characteristically American.
Both on the father’s and mother’s side Judge Taylor comes of families prominent in the pioneer history of Tioga County, N. Y.
Judge Taylor’s grandfather, Ira Taylor, was originally a resident of Connecticut. As a young man he came to Tioga County, New York.
Frederick Taylor, father of Judge Taylor, was a farmer and lumber manufacturer. He was an influential citizen of Tioga County, a man of high character and an energetic worker. He married Hannah C. Sairs, a daughter of Leonard B. and Melinda (Munson) Sairs.
Harry Leonard Taylor was born in Halsey Valley, Tioga County, April 14, 1866. He was educated in the common schools, Spencer Free Academy, and Ithaca High School, from which he was graduated in 1884. In the fall of that year he was matriculated at Cornell University, and in 1888 was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During his senior year at the University he was elected President of his class, and was chosen a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity for scholarship. He was also one of the speakers in the Stewart L. Woodford prize contest for oratorical honors. While at Cornell Mr. Taylor was a prominent ball-player throughout his course, and for three years was Captain of the University team.
After his graduation Mr. Taylor taught for some time at Shortledge’s Academy, Media, Pa. It had always been his ambition to become a lawyer, and he entered professional baseball as a means of earning money to pursue his studies. The reputation he had gained on the Cornell team caused him to be retained by the New York State League, in which he played in 1889. In the summer of that year he led the League in batting. In 1890 he went to the Louisville team, American Association, and that year his team won the pennant. In the fall of 1890 he entered the Law School at Cornell, and in the spring of 1891 rejoined the Louisville team. In the autumn he returned to the University, rejoining the team in the spring, of 1892. The following fall he went back to college, where he remained until graduation in 1893. In June of the same year he became associated with the Baltimore team. At this time Charles L. Hughes, now Governor, was a teacher in the Cornell Law School. He advised Mr. Taylor to begin his law practice in Buffalo, and the counsel was followed. The young attorney soon built up a successful business and continued up to his elevation to the bench.
After coming to Buffalo, Mr. Taylor continued to be identified with baseball matters, though not as a player. In 1905 he was President of the Buffalo Baseball Club, and during the season of 1906 served as President of the Eastern League.
Upon the election of the Hon. Edward K. Emery to the Supreme Court bench, Mr. Taylor was appointed by Governor Higgins, County Judge, to succeed him. In the fall of 1907 he was duly elected to that office for a term of six years, by a plurality of 13,957, running over 5,000 votes ahead of his ticket.
Always a Republican, Judge Taylor has been known as an earnest supporter of his party and a zealous worker in its behalf, but up to the time of his appointment as County Judge he had never held any public office.
Judge Taylor has cherished the ties and associations of his University days with the spirit of a true son of Cornell. Four years ago the Cornell alumni elected him a Trustee of his alma mater. He is a member of the University Club of Buffalo, is affiliated with Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks, F. & A. M.; is a 32d degree Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, Ismailia Temple.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I