420 
WILLIAM BOWER TAYLOR. 
science, and especially to electrical phenomena. He made 
a number of kites himself and also endeavored to make a 
flying machine. He made a clock wholly of wood, which 
kept good time. 
In 1836 Taylor entered the University of Pennsylvania, 
became a member of the Philomathean Society, and later its 
moderator or president. He was graduated in 1840 and com¬ 
menced the study of law at the university and also in the 
office of Mr. Rawle, an eminent attorney. He was admitted 
to the bar of Philadelphia November 15, 1843. 
His retiring disposition, studious habits, stern integrity, 
and high sense of honor were not conducive to securing many 
clients, and he looked with aversion on the practices of at¬ 
torneys who were willing to sacrifice truth to gain an unright¬ 
eous cause. After four years’ experience of an unsatisfactory 
character as a lawyer, in November, 1848, he became an assist¬ 
ant in the drug store of his brother Alfred, on Chestnut street, 
near Ninth, and remained there until February 1, 1853. 
By special invitation of his cousin, Mr. William Ellis, who 
was in charge of the navy yard in Washington, he accepted 
the position of draftsman in the yard February 17,1853, and 
a few months later became foreman of the engineer and 
machinist department. He filled this position acceptably 
until his resignation, December 31, 1853, receiving a letter 
from Chief Engineer Henry Hunt, U. S. N., expressing 
“ great regret in his leaving the situation wherein his serv¬ 
ices and knowledge had been valuable and his deportment 
most gentlemanly.” 
In May, 1854, he was appointed by Hon. Charles Mason, 
Commissioner of Patents, to a temporary clerkship, and on 
the 1st of April, 1855, was made an assistant examiner in the 
division under Prof. George C. Schaeffer, the eminent chem¬ 
ist, engineer, and general scientist. Dr. Schaeffer used to 
relate of this appointment that, finding himself in need of 
an assistant, he was told by the Commissioner that a young 
man was in consideration for the place who seemed intelli¬ 
gent and capable, but spoke doubtfully as to his own qual- 
