Taylor, Preston
(born: 1849 - died: 1931)Preston Taylor was born in Shreveport, LA; his parents Zed and Betty Taylor were enslaved, moving (or brought) to Kentucky a year after he was born.
In 1864 Preston Taylor enlisted in the army. After his service years, he went to Louisville, KY, where he was employed in the marble yards. He later became a pastor at the Christian Church in Mt. Sterling, KY and later was chosen as the General Evangelist of the United States by his denomination.
Though African Americans had been excluded from Reconstruction efforts, Taylor was able to secure a contract to build sections of the Big Sandy Railway from Mt. Sterling to Richmond, VA. He also purchased property in New Castle, KY, where he established the Christian Bible College.
Around 1884 Taylor moved to Nashville, TN, where he was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the city.
For more see Preston Taylor in the Tennessee Encyclopedia (online); "Elder Preston Taylor, co-founder. First Treasurer, One Cent Savings Bank and Trust Company," The Tennessee Tribune, 4/22-28/2004, p. 2D; "The Athens of the South: pen picture of the life of Rev. Preston Taylor," Freeman, 7/4/1896, p. 1; and "Preston Taylor (1849-1931)" at the Tenneessee State University website.
