An Account of Oakland County / edited by Lillian Drake Avery.

408

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

in the university he enlisted for service inf the United States Army and
wag ~ent to Camp Meade, Maryland, where he gained commission as
first lieutenant in the First Engineer Corps. He accompanied his command to France, was there in active service until the signing of the
armistice, and thereafter was with the allied army of occupation in
Germany nearly two years. He then returted home and received his
honorable discharge. The now venerable and honored citizen to
whom this review is dedicated has ever shown loyal and helpful interest in all things touching the welfare of his native county, and its
history is a subject that never fails to enlist his attention, as much
of the development and progress of Oakland county and the state of
Michigan has been compassed within the period of his personal memory. He has played well his part in the advancing of the civic and
material prosperity of his native county, was liberal and active in supporting patriotic measures and enterprises in the World war period,
and took pride in sending forth his sons to the nation's service. In
excellent health, vigorous of mind and physical powers, Mr. Taylor
is one of the influential and highly esteemed citizens of the county
that has ever represented his home and been the stage of his well
ordered activities.
James M. Taylor.-Mr. Taylor is a manufacturer and dealer in
builders' supplies and has achieved outstanding success as the manufacturer of the Taylor-made cement block, a product extensively
used in construction. He is located at 1120 South Main street, Royal
Oak, Michigan, has a wide acquaintance and is held in the highest
esteem. Mr. Taylor was born January 7, 1889, in Detroit, a son of
James M. and Ella (Benson) Taylor, and received his early education
in the public schools of Royal Oak. For five years Mr. Taylor worked
in the great Ford plant in Detroit and then determined upon a business
course with himself as the directing agency. His success is predicated
upon ability and close application to which is added the unvarying
desire to be of service. On June 25, 1907, Mr. Taylor was united
in marriage to Miss Eugunisa Roszel, daughter of William R. and
Hattie (Schuictma), Roszel, of Royal Oak. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic order, of the Odd Fellows and of the Royal Oak
Board of Commerce. By religious profession he is a Baptist.
John R. Taylor was one of the principals in the Purser Fruit Company, engaged in the wholesale fruit business in the city of Pontiac,
and his associates in the substantial enterprise were Salem W. Purser
and Edward L. Groner. The large and well equipped establishment of
this progressive company is located at 25 West Pike street. Mr. Taylor takes due satisfaction in claiming Oakland county as the place of
his nativity, his birth having occurred at Rochester, this county, July
5, 1885, and his educational advantages having included those of the
high school at Rochester. His earlier practical activities were in
connection with farm industry, and later he was engaged three years
in the retail grocery business at Rochester. In 1912 he entered the
employ of Salem W. Purser, wholesale fruit merchant at Pontiac, and
after May 4,. 1920, he was a partner in the business, which is