Calvin B. Taylor

Early life and education The son of Arthur W. Taylor and Margaret Ellen Bowen Taylor, Calvin B. Taylor was born at Trappe Creek Farm near Berlin, Maryland, on December 28, 1857. Growing up on the farm, he attended public schools in addition to Old Buckingham Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1882 and later a Master of Arts degree from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College).

Shortly thereafter, in 1890, Taylor entered business as a banker in conjunction with his law partner, Edward D. Martin. Originally a private bank under the name of Calvin B. Taylor, Banker, Martin withdrew before its renaming to Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company and its 1907 incorporation as the Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company of Berlin. The corporation remains in existence in Worcester County, Maryland and Sussex County, Delaware, as Taylor Bank. In addition to banking, Taylor also began an insurance company connected to the bank under the name of Calvin B. Taylor & Co. in conjunction with William L. Holloway, which also remains in existence as Smith, Cropper & Deeley Inc. He served one term, through 1899, before returning in 1912 for another term through 1913. He subsequently served for two years, from 1914 to 1916, as Mayor of Berlin. In addition to holding governmental office, Taylor served on the Maryland Democratic State Central Committee for 25 years.

Taylor continued to practice law and serve as president and chairman of the board of directors for the Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company until his death on May 31, 1932. He was interred in Buckingham Cemetery.

Personal life and family Calvin B. Taylor married his wife, Martha "Mattie" Collins of Hannibal, Missouri, on July 21, 1886, while serving as principal of Berlin High School. The couple purchased the building presently known as the Calvin B. Taylor House in September 1894 and had only one child, Thomas Collins Taylor, who died as an infant. Taylor also was active throughout his life as a member of the Buckingham Presbyterian Church.