JAMES TAGGART (deceased). Among the early pioneers to whom the citizens of Washington county owe a lasting debt of gratitude, is the familiar name of Taggart. This prominent family has for many years been identified with the best interests of the county, and took an active part in the hardships of frontier life. The earliest representatives of the name were natives of Ireland, from which country one James Taggart emigrated to America in 1783, and coming to Washington county, Penn., bought a tract of land called "Chestnut," containing 260 acres, situated on the headwaters of Chartiers creek. In 1831 he bought a farm of 405 acres, in Licking county, Ohio. He also bought a farm in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. He was united in marriage with Mary Ferguson, who bore him seven children, namely: John, James, Samuel, Robert, Jane, Elizabeth and Mary, all of whom are now deceased, leaving numerous descendants, who are scattered throughout the United States. The parents died in Washington county. James Taggart, son of James and Mary (Ferguson) Taggart, was born on the farm in Washington county, where his life was passed. He followed general farming and raised a large number of sheep. He was united in marriage with Martha Fergus, who bore him ten children, namely: Thomas, James, Samuel, William, John, Margaret, Sarah, Rebecca, Martha and Mary, all now deceased except Samuel, who lives near Washington, Penn. The father of this family was an elder in Upper Buffalo Congregation for twenty-four years. He died July 28, 1863. James Taggart, son of James and Martha (Fergus) Taggart, was born November 10, 1823, in Canton township, on the old homestead where his ancestors had first settled on their arrival in Pennsylvania. He passed his boyhood in the usual manner of a farmer lad, and received his education at the Wotring Academy, which was established about 1818, by Judge Wotring. When a young man James Taggart was married to Jane Anderson, of Cross Creek township, this county, a daughter of Dr. Henry A. Anderson. To this union was born one child, who died in infancy followed two months later by the mother. On October 20, 1857, Mr. Taggart was married to his second wife, Margaret A., a daughter of James and Ann (Cockins) McBride. They were residents of Canton township, Washington county, where a son, Vincent, is engaged in agricultural pursuits. To the union of James and Margaret (McBride) Taggart children were born as follows: James M. (married to Miss Jennie Maxwell), Annie F. (wife of F. W. Donaldson), Archibald A. (married to Ella W. McCarrell), Urania Bell and Charles Leslie, both of whom still reside with their mother on the old homestead. Mr. Taggart voted with the Democratic party before the Civil war, and in 1862 joined the ranks of the Republican party, of which he became a trusted and valued member, and served one term as county auditor. In religious faith he was a member and trustee of the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, and led the choir for many years. He was called over the river February 22, 1892, leaving many friends to mourn his death, who are yet waiting the hour when they shall meet on the other side.

Text taken from page 1290 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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