From the Putnam County Courier, Thursday, April 3, 1947: William O. Taylor, a life-long resident of Patterson, where he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business for over forty years and served several terms as town clerk of the township died suddenly at his home on Sunday, March 30, 1947, after a brief illness. His age was 80.
The deceased was a son of William O. Taylor, Sr., and Mary Haviland Taylor and was born November 23, 1866, in Patterson. He supplemented his common school course by attendance at the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute, and returning to the homestead, was engaged in farming with his father for several years. On his paternal side Mr. Taylor was a descendant of a New England family, his great-grandfather Irenus Taylor being a native of Connecticut.
Over forty years ago Mr. Taylor engaged in the insurance business, opening an office in Patterson, where he was found daily until his last Illness. Like his father, Mr. Taylor was a Republican in politics and served many years as town clerk of the town of Patterson until about two years ago when he resigned because of failing health.
On April 12, 1894, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Susan Barnum Pugsley, who survives him. Masonic memorial services were held at his late home on Wednesday evening and funeral services were held there this Thursday afternoon at two o'clock. The Rev. Horace E. Hillery, pastor of the Patterson Presbyterian church officiated. Interment was made In the family plot at the Four Corners cemetery at Towners.