Zachary Taylor was in command at Fort Crawford from July 1829- July 1830 when he went on leave. He returned August 1832 and served until July 1837 when he was assigned to the Seminole Wars in Florida. Taylor is credited with finishing the construction of the 2nd Fort and building the section of the military road from Fort Crawford to Fort Winnebago.
Taylor objected to his daughter's marriage to Jefferson Davis because he didn't want her to live as an army wife. For years oral tradition held that the two had eloped but facts do not support that version of events. After Davis left the army in 1835, Taylor reluctantly agreed to the marriage. Unfortunately Sarah died in September, just a few months after her marriage. Jefferson Davis served with distinction under Taylor in the Mexican War, and they developed mutual regard and support.
Later Taylor's military successes in the
Mexican War made him an attractive, presidential candidate, so
he ran and won on the Whig ticket in 1848. Since Old Rough
and Ready was more practical than political in his military
career, some were surprised that he would seek office. He died
in July 1850 after 18 months in office.
