SAMUEL TAGGART. Among the well-known and influential husbandmen of Chartiers Township our subject is prominently identified, occupying a leading position among agricultural and business men. He is descended from and old and well-known pioneer family of Washington Co. James Taggart, the earliest ancestor of whom we have authentic record, was born in Ireland and immigrated to America, locating first in Philadelphia, where he was married to Margaret Ferguson and in 1784 moved to Washington Co., settling on a farm in Canton Township. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, being the first trustee elected in Washington Co., and the organization is yet in existence, having passed its centennial. He and his wife both died in Canton townships many years ago.
James Taggart was born on the home farm I canton Township, and selected a life companion in the person of Martha Fergus, who bore him children as follows: Margaret (wife of Dr. McCall, of Cambridge, Ohio), Thomas (deceased in 1836), James, (living in canton Township), Samuel, Sarah (wife of John McClay, Canton township), Rebecca, William, John, and Mary. Of these children James and Samuel are the only ones now living. William, John, and Mary died of Scarlet fever. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart settled on a farm in Canton Township. He was an early member of the Presbyterian Church and in politics was an ardent Democrat, being actively interested in county matters. James Taggart died in this county August 29, 1863, his wife having preceded him many years.
Samuel Taggart, the subject proper of this sketch, was born May 5, 1826, on the home place in canton Township, this county, and received his early education in the township schools. In 1849 he married Jemima Hannah Kyle, a native of Harrison Co., Ohio, and daughter of William Kyle. Mr. Kyle was born in Ireland, and came to America when but a boy, settling in Harrison Co., Ohio, where he married a native of mercer County, Penn., and where he followed farming and died about 1863. His wife has passed away some years before. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Taggart settled in Chartiers Township, on 160 acres of land, which contained a good gas well. He has put down another well since purchasing the farm, besides making various other improvements. Mrs. Taggart died in 1862, leaving one daughter, Jennie (wife of Oscar Wilson of Canton township), and in 1866 Mr. Taggart married Elizabeth Allison, a daughter of John and Ann (Paxton) Allison, the former a native of Washington County, the latter of mercer County, Penn; they settled in this county at an early day. Of this union two children were born, both of whom died in infancy, and the mother followed them in 1869. In 1887 Mr. Taggart married Mary E. Seaman, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Daggs) Seaman, natives of this county. The father died in 1886, the mother a short time before. Mr. Taggart is an active worker in the Republican party, and has held various offices, such as a member of the school board, supervisor, and other offices of trust and responsibility.
Text taken from page 1138 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Bob Masters of Thomas, KY as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]