William A. Saylor
William Ashford Saylor | |
|---|---|
| 25th Mayor of Austin | |
| In office 1879–1881 | |
| Preceded by | Jacob C. DeGress |
| Succeeded by | L. M. Crooker |
| 27th Mayor of Austin | |
| In office 1883–1884 | |
| Preceded by | L. M. Crooker |
| Succeeded by | John W. Robertson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 5, 1843 Saylor Township, Polk County, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | September 20, 1887 (aged 43) Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary V. Swisher |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, businessman, military officer, civil servant |
William Ashford "W. A." Saylor (December 5, 1843 – September 20, 1887)[1] was an American politician, lawyer, businessman, military officer, and civil servant. Saylor was a Republican member of the Texas Senate, a two term Mayor of Austin, and a soldier in the Union army during the American Civil War.[2][3]
Life and career
William Ashford Saylor was born on December 5, 1843,[3] in Saylor Township, Polk County, Iowa.
During the American Civil War he served in Company A of the 23rd Iowa Infantry Regiment, in the Union army.[4] He enrolled in August 1862 as a sergeant, and ended service a year later as a captain.[3]
Saylor and Mary V. Swisher were married. She was the daughter of John Milton Swisher, an early Texas businessman.[5]
Saylor was a lawyer in Bryan, Texas.[3] A Republican, he was elected in the 1869 Texas Senate election, and his term was from 1870 to 1874, representing Brazos, Burleson, and Milam counties.[3] Saylor was elected the Mayor of Austin, serving from 1879 to 1881, and again in 1883 to 1884.[6][7]
Saylor was a collector of Internal Revenue Service for Texas's second district.[8] He was involved in the mining business in Mexico.[5]
Saylor died September 20, 1887 in Austin[1][5] and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery.
See also
References
- 1 2 "Obituary for W. A. Saylor". The Houston Post. September 21, 1887. p. 4. Retrieved March 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Political affiliation, 13th Legislature". Texas Legislative Reference Library.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Member profile for William A. Saylor". Texas Legislative Reference Library.
United States Army, Captain, Company A, 23rd Iowa Infantry. Entered service 8/1/1862 in Des Moines, Iowa, discharged 1/1/1863 in Patterson, Missouri, birth date 12/5/1843 in Van Buren County, Iowa, death in Austin, age 47.
- ↑ Payne, William Orson (March 3, 1911). "History of Story County, Iowa: A Record of Organization, Progress and Achievement". S. J. Clarke Publishing Company – via Google Books.
- 1 2 3 "William Ashford Saylor 1887". Austin American-Statesman. September 21, 1887. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Casdorph, Paul D. (March 3, 1965). "A History of the Republican Party in Texas, 1865-1965". Pemberton Press – via Google Books.
- ↑ "History of Mayors". Austin City Clerk's Office.
- ↑ "The Political Reformation of 1884: A Democratic Campaign Book". Democratic Party National Committee 1884–1888. March 3, 1884 – via Google Books.