George Taft (deceased) was born
in Washinton County, Vt., Jan. 28, 1807, and was the son
of Peter and Phoebe (Wheaton) Taft, natives of
Massachusetts. In 1811 the family moved to Onondaga
County, N.Y., where for a time Mr. Taft, Sr.,
manufacutred salt. He then followed farming until his
death, June 11, 1829. His wife died April 20, 1835.
George's early life was passed on a farm, attending
school at times. He was married Feb. 21, 1831, to Nancy
Whitmore of Fayetteville, N.Y. He has been a farmer most
of his life, but made staves and barrels as early as
1836. He moved to Fulton County, O., in 1844, where he
followed farming until 1861. He then came to Iowa, and
settled, at first in Linn County. While here three sons
enlisted in the war. One, Lynn, died in the service of
his country. He came to Delaware County in 1866, and the
following year located at Elkport, Clayton County. He at
first made barrels, but now only staves. His present
factory was established in 1874. The annual value of
stave produced $20,000. By industry and frugality, Mr.
Taft is now quietly passing a green old age with his
wife, while his son, Henry B., manages the factory. Mr.
Taft's first wife died March 13, 1835, and he was again
married Sept. 17, 1835, to Elmina Matson, Rutland County,
Vt. By his first wife there were two children-- Lowell,
in Ohio, and Chester, in Buchanan County. By his second
wife he has had seven children, of whom four are living--
Emeline, Celia (Mrs. Hodges), Henry B. (in the factory),
and Orlando, now physician at Elkport. When the above
sketch was written Mr. Taft had just returned from a trip
to St. Paul. This trip was too severe for him, and he
never recovered from its effects, but died April 23,
1882. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1127-1128 |