Taylor, Orla Benedict, 1865-1945

Born in Fowlerville, Mich. on Sept. 29, 1865, Orla B. Taylor graduated from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886 and an L.L.B. in 1887. He worked in partnership with Edwin F. Conely in Detroit from 1888-1902, and was later associated with Charles F. Delbridge, Fred A. Behr and others. Mr. Taylor retired from active practice in 1919 and traveled to Europe and Africa.

Detroit lawyer and graduate of the University of Michigan, 1886 and 1887.

Detroit, Michigan lawyer and banker, and alumnus of University of Michigan.

Orla Benedict Taylor was born in Fowlerville, Michigan on September 29, 1865. A graduate of the University of Michigan (B.A. 1886; LL.D., 1887), Taylor served as editor of The Oracle and The Chronicle while an undergraduate. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Chi fraternities.

Taylor entered practice in Detroit shortly after graduation, and very soon established himself as legal advisor for various property and business interests in the State. Among the notable cases in which he took part were the Ann Arbor Railroad Company vs. the Michigan Central Railroad Commission, and the Michigan Central Railroad Company vs. the Michigan Railroad Commission.

Mr. Taylor devoted his leisure time, especially after his retirement, to travel and study, historical research and writing, and the accumulation of historical and literary materials. Ever a loyal alumnus of the U-M, Taylor made many generous gifts to the University Library, including many valuable law books and a complete set of autographed letters and documents of Emperor Napoleon I and his marshals, as well as autographs of several of the Emperor's generals and cabinet members. He died December 1, 1945.