Biography - J Traylor
PROF. J. L. TRAYLOR. It is a fact creditable to the character of the American people that in settling up the country one of the first objects they have endeavored to achieve has been that of making provision for the education of the youth. In the pioneer days, when the settlements were small and the children scattered, there was an endeavor on the part of the Western communities to secure for their children such advantages of education as were available. Much attention was paid to this important subject, and that this attention has not been allowed to lessen with increase of population may be learned by noting the school houses that crown every hill-top. Prominent among those who have ever evinced much interest in educational matters, stands Prof. J. L. Traylor, who is now the able and efficient Superintendent of Schools of Montgomery County, Ill.
Prof. Traylor is a native of this county, born in East Fork Township, April 7, 1858, and is a son of Joel C. Traylor, a native of the Blue Grass State. About 1844, the latter came to Montgomery County, Ill., and located in East Fork Township, where he kept a general store for forty years. He died in April, 1887. In politics, he was a Democrat, and his first Presidential vote was for Jackson. He was School Treasurer for thirty years in the township, and was a worthy and consistent member of the Universalist Church. He married Miss Sarah Ohmart, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of George Ohmart, who was born in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Traylor came to Montgomery County when fourteen years of age, and was married in this county to Mr. Traylor in 1846. She is now residing on the old home place. The paternal grandparents of our subject, James and Nancy (Cardwell) Traylor, were natives of the Old Dominion, and the latter was a cousin of John Randolph, of Roanoke. Our subject's great-grandfather, Humphrey Traylor, was also born in Virginia, and was a Revolutionary soldier, serving under Shelby.
Of the thirteen children born to his parents, ten sons and three daughters, seven of whom are living, our subject was eighth in order of birth. His first educational advantages were received in the common schools, but later he attended for ten weeks the old Hillsboro Academy. After this he started out as a teacher, and followed this profession for fifteen years, teaching for seven and a-half years in Walnut Grove. He taught his last term there. He was very successful as an educator, and won an enviable reputation in that capacity. The happy domestic life of our subject began on the 14th of April, 1878, when he was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Hicks, a native of Tennessee. Five children have blessed this union, two sons and three daughters: Lewy, Claire, Lyman, Jessie and Alma.
Mr. Traylor is a Democrat in politics, and before reaching the age of twenty-one years he was elected Assessor of the township. In November, 1890, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools. He is a gentleman well qualified for the position; he is pleasant and painstaking in his manners, and has the requisite ability to properly conduct that business, He is at present Trustee of the village of Coffeen. Our subject is a member of the Lodge No. 1,143, M. W. of A., and is also a member of Lodge No. 4., K. of P. He is the owner of forty-one acres of land, and is progressive and enterprising. He has ever been deeply interested in educational work, and since his nineteenth year has devoted his time to this work.
Extracted 29 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, page 130.
