Born in Bangor , Maine , Taylor moved with his parents to Champaign County , Ohio , in 1832 , thence to Fort Dodge , Iowa , and subsequently to Chicago , Illinois , in 1860 . He served the Union the American Civil War as a general 's deputy , and later a colonel and United States Treasury Agent . As a business man , Taylor engaged in extensive contracting , building , and mercantile pursuits , and participated in the construction of the Texas State Capitol . In exchange for the construction of the Texas State House , Taylor was awarded three million acres of land in northwest Texas in 1882 . He served as a delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention . Further , Taylor served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1884 to 1886
1884 Republican National Convention
1884 Republican National Convention
Abner Taylor