James Frederick Taylor was born in Lenoir County, North Carolina, on September 8, 1864. During World War I, Taylor served as the chairman of the Lenoir County Liberty Loan Campaign and as a speaker for the Four Minute Men Committee.  A prominent and influential businessman in Lenoir County, Taylor proved a steadfast advocate for local and regional infrastructure and improvement projects. He died in Kinston, North Carolina on December 13, 1925.