Uncrowned Community Builders

Dr. Benjamin Taylor was among one of the earliest Blacks to settle in Buffalo, New York. His home state is not exactly known, but in one census Missouri was named. Virginia has also been identified as his place of birth. He was the first African American physician known to practice in Buffalo. He practiced from 1862-1887. He had an office on Vine Street which was later moved to his home at 90 Walnut Street.

The legend is that he prospected for gold with a member of the Talbert family during the 1849 gold rush, and returned to Buffalo a rich man. He became a major landowner in Buffalo as a result of his wealth.

Taylor and his wife, the former Katherine Gehring, a German immigrant were married at the Michigan Street Baptist Church on May 28, 1846. Their children were Elnora and Benjamin, Jr. Elnora married Gustavus Anderson. The 1860 census also listed Catherine, age 8, Laura, age 4 and Sophia, age 2. By 1880, Grace, age 16, Lilly, age 9 and Eva Marie, aged 6 were listed as members of the family. History is silent on most of these children, but Elnora, sometimes spelled Eleanor and Gustavus' children were active and prominent in the community: they were Amelia, James T. and Gerald Anderson. Grace also married a Mr. Pendleton.

Dr. Taylor was the grandfather of UQ Amelia Grace Anderson. Dr. Taylor at the time of his death, on August 19, 1900, resided at 90 Walnut Street in Buffalo and was 84 years of age. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.