Since it was erected in 1875, this county was probably named for the governor in office at that time, William E. Taylor. Born in Connecticut in 1818, he emigrated to Dane County in 1848, and lived upon a farm therein. He was, during his term (1874-76) known as the "farmer governor." He died in the spring of 1909 near Madison.

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[Source: Kellogg, Louise Phelps. "Derivation of County Names" in Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin for 1909, pages 219-231.]