George W. Tabor

TABOR, SKINNER, COOLEY, SINKEY, HALE, LUNDY, GILMORE

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 1/2/2010 at 11:50:10

J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910

GEORGE W. TABOR.

George W. Tabor is fortunate in that he has back of him an ancestry that is most honorable, for he is descended from an old southern family. There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which is universally accorded to him, for through almost a half century's connection with the history of Jackson county, his has been an unblemished character. He has gained notable success in life, for he now owns six hundred and forty acres of as valuable land as is to be found in eastern Iowa. However, this has not been the sole aim and purpose in his life, for he is ever mindful of the duties of citizenship and stands ready to give assistance where it is needed.
Mr. Tabor is a native of Jackson county, his birth having occurred on the home farm in Monmouth township, on the 6th of December, 1862. His paternal grandparents, Jesse and Lucretia (Skinner) Tabor, were both natives of Kentucky, the former born April 2, 1794, and the latter on the 9th of May, 1796. Their marriage occurred January 5, 1819. At an early day they made their way from the Blue Grass state to Indiana, where they reared their family, including Andrew J., who became the father of our subject. The family home was established in Jackson county, that state, and there Jesse Tabor was identified with many of the events which shaped the early history of his section. He followed farming throughout his active life and both he and his wife1 died in Jackson county, Indiana.
Andrew J. Tabor, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead farm in Jackson county, Indiana, his natal day being July 10, 1831. He was there reared to the occupation of farming, giving his father the benefit of his services until he reached man's estate. At that time, 1852, he came to Jackson county, Iowa, and in a short time purchased the land on section 9, Monmouth township, which is now owned by his son, George W. On the l0th of October, 1854, he further made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Nancy L. Cooley, a daughter of Clarke and Mary (Sinkey)Cooley. Her father was born August 14, 1797, presumably in Ohio, while the birth of the mother occurred August 18, 1809. Their marriage occurred in the Buckeye state on the 28th of August, 1826, and there they continued to reside until 1838, when they made a permanent location at Emeline, Jackson county, Iowa, where they became farming people. The father passed away September 30, 1863, when he was sixty-six years of age, while the mother, surviving for a number of years, was called to her final rest on the 25th of August, 1881, when she had just passed the seventy-second anniversary of her birth. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Tabor were born five children, three daughters and two sons. Augusta M., the eldest, who was born May 2, 1856, became the wife of Alexander Hale, their marriage being celebrated on the 21st of September, 1873. Her death occurred June 13, 1887. Cora J., whose birth occurred October 30, 1859, was married August 5, 1880, to H. S. Hunter and their home is at Plainfield, Iowa. George W. is the next in order of birth. John C, who was born April 2, 1865, passed away August 2, 1866. Lutie A., the youngest of the family, was born June 10, 1870. She was married February 17, 1890, to John Lundy, and they reside in Zearing, Iowa. Both the parents are deceased, the father passing away on the loth of January, 1901, while the mother, surviving his death only a few years, departed this life November 12, 1905. Both lie buried in the cemetery at Baldwin. The father was a democrat in his political views, strongly advocating the principles of that party. He was opposed to secret organizations and was not identified with any church but attended the Methodist church. He did his full duty in establishing and maintaining the material interests of his section of the state and exerted a great influence in the community in which he so long lived and labored.
George W. Tabor, the third in order of birth in his father's family, was reared on the home farm and began his education in the district schools, while later he attended the schools of Baldwin. He gave his father the benefit of his services on the home farm until he attained his majority, after which they were engaged in their farming operations through partnership relations. Following his father's demise he purchased the old home place, comprising two hundred and forty acres, and he has since added to this until his holdings now embrace a section of land, or six hundred and forty acres. This is located on sections 8 and 9, Monmouth township. The house which he occupies had been erected previous to the time he purchased the land but all the other buildings which are here seen have been erected by Mr. Tabor. It will thus be seen that he carries on business on an extensive scale and his labors have brought him a most gratifying return. He was one of the organizers and has been the only president of the Baldwin Savings Bank.
Mr. Tabor has found a most worthy helpmate in the lady who on the 27th of November, 1890, became his wife. She bore the maiden name of Miss Ella Gilmore, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Howard, who was born March 13, 1893; Clifford Gilmore, born September 16, 1898; Muriel Phylis, born April 30, 1901; and Dorothy Marie, born September 13, 1904. All are with their parents.
Following in the political footsteps of his honored father, Mr. Tabor votes for the men and measures of the democracy and is very active in campaign work, doing everything in his power to place in office the men whom he believes will best conserve the interests of the community and the country at large. He attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church. The history of the early settlement of Monmouth township would be incomplete without the record of the Tabor family, for its members have been prominent factors in its agricultural growth and development. Fifty-seven years have come and gone since Andrew J. Tabor arrived in Jackson county and the spirit which he manifested in behalf of public progress and improvement seems to be inherited by the son, who also puts forth strenuous effort toward the betterment of the community. While he has won success, he has not allowed the accumulation of wealth to in any way change his attitude toward those less fortunate, but he is most charitable and kindly in nature and fully merits the respect whkh is uniformly accorded him.