George W. Taft

TAFT, GEE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/18/2010 at 21:19:30

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

GEORGE W. TAFT.

George W. Taft, whose time and energies are devoted to general agricultural pursuits, is the owner of an excellent farm of seventy-two acres in South Fork township and derives therefrom a gratifying annual income. He was born near Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, on the 22d of June, 1860, a son of William G. and Lucinda (Gee) Taft. His parents, who were natives of New York and Ohio respectively, celebrated their marriage in Indiana. Having determined to establish his home in the west, William G. Taft, together with his young bride and the other members of his father-in-law's family, joined a party who made the overland journey by wagon and took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Dubuque county, Iowa. Mr. Taft located five miles northeast of Cascade, entered eighty acres of government land and gave his attention to its cultivation and improvement until 1869. In that year he came to Jackson county and purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres in South Fork township, about a mile west of Hurstville, where he successfully carried on his agricultural interests for some twenty years. On the expiration of that period he leased the property and for a time made his home in Maquoketa. Subsequently he bought a small farm four miles northwest of Maquoketa, but after residing thereon for about two years he returned to Maquoketa and there spent his remaining days, passing away on the i6th of November, 1902. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he capably served in several minor township offices but did not seek public preferment. The period of his residence in this county covered a third of a century, and he was well known and highly
esteemed within its borders as a substantial agriculturist and representative citizen. His wife was called to her final rest on the 22d of June, 1908.
George W. Taft obtained his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until about twenty-two years of age. He then started out in life on his own account and worked as a farm hand for about ten years. At the end of that time he was married, and following this important event in his life he began the operation of a rented farm, taking up his abode thereon in the spring of 1893 and continuing its cultivation for nine years. While he was working in the fields his wife carefully looked after the household affairs, exercising true economy in the management of the home, and in 1901 they had accumulated sufficient capital to enable them to purchase their present fine farm of seventy-two acres in South Fork township. They have made their home on this place since the spring of 1902, and Mr. Taft has met with a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests, the fields annually yielding rich crops in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He attributes much of his prosperity to the good management of his estimable wife, who has proved a true helpmate as well as companion on the journey of life.
On the I7th of February, 1892, Mr. Taft was united in marriage to Miss Emma Knorr, a daughter of Nicholas and Christina Knorr, who were natives of Germany. After emigrating to the United States they settled in Wisconsin and there passed away at a comparatively early age. Mr. and Mrs. Taft are rearing an adopted child, Bernice R., whose birth occurred on the 4th of January, 1902.
Mr. Taft exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He belongs to Peerless lodge, No. 60, K. P.; Ben De Meer Temple, No. 12, D. O. K. K.; and is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the community, their many good traits of character having gained them the regard and esteem of all with whom they have been associated.