Earlene, I don't know if he would be related to your folk, but the Bio of Mary Shinoe mentions her buying Allan TAYLOR's farm in Paris after the Civil War. As I see it on the plat map, it's a parcel in the lowest portion, just right of center of section 4 of Paris Twp. If the section were drawn up in 16 plats and numbered as most townships are/were (starting northeast numbering westward then the next row south numbered west to east, etc., in a serpentine pattern) it would be plat 15. Perhaps this Allan Taylor was the original homestead act land patent holder and would show up on a BLM search. Maybe this Allan TAYLOR property will prove to be connected, and hopefully lend more clues to your quest. Good Luck on your hunt! Di Kindet @ yahoo . com