Rev. John Taggart

Rev. John M. Taggart

Born: 17 NOV 1817 at Pennsylvania
Died: 17 MAY 1887
Buried: Rosewood Hill Cemetery, Palmyra, Otoe County, Nebraska

Married: Aimee.

Born: abt 1817 at Ohio
Died: unknown
Buried: unknown

Children:
Robert M, b. 1848 at Macoupin, Illinois, d. 1937, bur. Rosewood Hill Cemetery. Married Ida Seeley.
Mary b. abt. 1850 at Illinois, d. unknown, bur. unknown
Aimee, 24 JAN 1853 at Jacksonville, Illinois, d. 7 JUN 1914 at Blair, Washington County, Nebraska, bur. Blair Cemetery. Married F. W. Kenny 2 MAY 1871.
Jeanette M. b. abt 1855 at Illinois, d. unknown, bur. Married Mr. White.
A. E. (Mrs. A. W. Clarke), b. abt 1860 at Nebraska, d. unknown, bur. unknown.

Rev. John M. Taggart, a Baptist missionary, came to Fontanelle, Washington County, Nebraska in 1856 and was a member of the Nebraska territorial legislature, in 1857. The family moved to Nebraska City, Otoe County, in 1867 and to Blair, Washington County, in 1870.

Otoe County, Nebraska History and Information:

Palmyra was named after an ancient city in Asia Minor, chosen by the daughter of Rev. John Taggart who first platted the city. Taggart was also a stone cutter and architect, which led the city to be well designed. He plotted a four block park, named Taggart Park, a business district, and a diagonal avenue that connected the two. Among other historic buildings, visitor's can still visit the park.

THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION IN NEBRASKA:

It was fortunate for Baptist interests that a man of the ability and character of Rev. J. M. Taggart was among the early pioneers and foundation builders. Coming to Nebraska in 1856, for a quarter of a century his guiding hand and molding spirit were seen and felt during an important and formative period. He was a recognized leader. His counsels were sought in the affairs of state. He was a member of the state assembly and would probably have been elected a United States senator had he given his consent to the proposal. Some of his addresses are on file with the State Historical Society. Several gatherings of historical significance have been held by Nebraska Baptists. The twentieth anniversary of the First Nebraska Association was celebrated at Nebraska City, June 25-27, 1878; a large gathering of Baptists in the state and of leading ministers from other states. The Rev. J. M. Taggart presided, the only minister present who had membership ninety percent; of missionary contributions, 100 percent; of baptisms, 175 percent. The number of baptisms the last year of his work was 1568, a number not equaled in the history of Nebraska Baptists until the year 1916. His work will be remembered as one of faithfulness, wisdom and self-sacrifice. In the report of every year we find the expression, "fifty-two weeks of service." In resolutions of high appreciation passed by the state convention it is stated: helped the organization twenty years before. He presented a historical paper "which contained much that is valuable of early Nebraska history, as well as a full history of denominational work, and should be preserved in printed form," a later writer states.

Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska – Otoe County:

Palmyra Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F., was organized in September, 1871. The first of officers were: J. M. Taggart, N. G.; T. Farnsworth, V. G.; R. M. Taggart, Secretary; S. S. Seeley, Treasurer; Daniel Meikle, I. G. The society had seven members. At the present time the number on the rolls is twenty. The present officers are: John Day, N. G.; A. Reed, V. G; J. O. Moore, Secretary; T. Coles, Treasurer; J. T. Steele, I. G.

Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska:
Sept. 25, 1878

Dr. Geo. Miller, on taking the chair, delivered a short, appropriate and pressing address on the importance of forming a historical society, and regretting that it had not been done before. On motion of S. R. Thompson, the Chair appointed the following gentlemen Committee on Organization: S. R. Thompson, J. Q. Goss, D. H. Wheeler, J. M. Taggart and Lorenzo Crounse. The committee in due time made the following report, which was adopted: Your committee, to which was referred the matter of organization, report favorably, and recommend that the name of the organization be "Nebraska State Historical Society. That the officers be one President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary. Also a board of five Directors. Membership to be elective, upon the payment of a fee and annual assessment to be agreed upon hereafter. Also that committees be appointed on permanent officers and constitution and by-laws.

Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska:

R. M. TAGGART, successor to W. D. Page, Esq. Established in 1880, and keeps constantly on hand a choice assortment of dressed and undressed lumber, doors, sash, blinds, building paper and paints. He was born in Macoupin, Ill., in 1848, where he received a good common schooling, and came to Nebraska in 1856 with his parents. He enlisted in 1864 in Company A, First Regiment Nebraska Volunteer Militia, of Nebraska City, and was stationed on the frontier guarding the stage lines from raids made by the Indians, and was discharged at expiration of time. Then went to Chicago, and took a full course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and came back in 1866; and in 1867 took a homestead near Palmyra and farmed five years; then got married in 1871 to Miss Ida Seeley, of Palmyra, and moved to Palmyra in 1872, and in 1873 was appointed Postmaster, and held the position until July, 1881, when he took charge of the Chicago Lumber Yard, as above. He is a staunch Republican, and a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., of Palmyra Lodge, No. 30.

GOOD TEMPLARS IN NEBRASKA

Old Records of the First State Wide Temperance Organization Recently Acquired by the Historical Society,- What They Show of the Beginnings of the Dry Movement.

The Good Templars were in Nebraska July 9, 1867, Nebraska City. Seventeen lodges were reported in the state. Among the well known persons in Nebraska history present were: Rev. J. M. Taggart, A. F. Harvey Nebraska City; W. A. Presson, S. S Alley and Wesley Dundas. Children: Robert M, b. 1848 at Macoupin, Illinois, d. 1937, bur. Rosewood Hill Cemetery. Married Ida Seeley. Mary b. abt. 1850 at Illinois, d. unknown, bur. unknown Aimee, 24 JAN 1853 at Jacksonville, Illinois, d. 7 JUN 1914 at Blair, Washington County, Nebraska, bur. Blair Cemetery. Married F. W. Kenny 2 MAY 1871. Jeanette M. b. abt 1855 at Illinois, d. unknown, bur. Married Mr. White. A. E. (Mrs. A. W. Clarke), b. abt 1860 at Nebraska, d. unknown, bur. unknown. Rev. John M. Taggart, a Baptist missionary, came to Fontanelle, Washington County, Nebraska in 1856 and was a member of the Nebraska territorial legislature, in 1857. The family moved to Nebraska City, Otoe County, in 1867 and to Blair, Washington County, in 1870. Otoe County, Nebraska History and Information: Palmyra was named after an ancient city in Asia Minor, chosen by the daughter of Rev. John Taggart who first platted the city. Taggart was also a stone cutter and architect, which led the city to be well designed. He plotted a four block park, named Taggart Park, a business district, and a diagonal avenue that connected the two. Among other historic buildings, visitor's can still visit the park. THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION IN NEBRASKA: It was fortunate for Baptist interests that a man of the ability and character of Rev. J. M. Taggart was among the early pioneers and foundation builders. Coming to Nebraska in 1856, for a quarter of a century his guiding hand and molding spirit were seen and felt during an important and formative period. He was a recognized leader. His counsels were sought in the affairs of state. He was a member of the state assembly and would probably have been elected a United States senator had he given his consent to the proposal. Some of his addresses are on file with the State Historical Society. Several gatherings of historical significance have been held by Nebraska Baptists. The twentieth anniversary of the First Nebraska Association was celebrated at Nebraska City, June 25-27, 1878; a large gathering of Baptists in the state and of leading ministers from other states. The Rev. J. M. Taggart presided, the only minister present who had membership ninety percent; of missionary contributions, 100 percent; of baptisms, 175 percent. The number of baptisms the last year of his work was 1568, a number not equaled in the history of Nebraska Baptists until the year 1916. His work will be remembered as one of faithfulness, wisdom and self-sacrifice. In the report of every year we find the expression, "fifty-two weeks of service." In resolutions of high appreciation passed by the state convention it is stated: helped the organization twenty years before. He presented a historical paper "which contained much that is valuable of early Nebraska history, as well as a full history of denominational work, and should be preserved in printed form," a later writer states. Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska – Otoe County: Palmyra Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F., was organized in September, 1871. The first of officers were: J. M. Taggart, N. G.; T. Farnsworth, V. G.; R. M. Taggart, Secretary; S. S. Seeley, Treasurer; Daniel Meikle, I. G. The society had seven members. At the present time the number on the rolls is twenty. The present officers are: John Day, N. G.; A. Reed, V. G; J. O. Moore, Secretary; T. Coles, Treasurer; J. T. Steele, I. G. Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska: Sept. 25, 1878 Dr. Geo. Miller, on taking the chair, delivered a short, appropriate and pressing address on the importance of forming a historical society, and regretting that it had not been done before. On motion of S. R. Thompson, the Chair appointed the following gentlemen Committee on Organization: S. R. Thompson, J. Q. Goss, D. H. Wheeler, J. M. Taggart and Lorenzo Crounse. The committee in due time made the following report, which was adopted: Your committee, to which was referred the matter of organization, report favorably, and recommend that the name of the organization be "Nebraska State Historical Society. That the officers be one President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary. Also a board of five Directors. Membership to be elective, upon the payment of a fee and annual assessment to be agreed upon hereafter. Also that committees be appointed on permanent officers and constitution and by-laws. Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska: R. M. TAGGART, successor to W. D. Page, Esq. Established in 1880, and keeps constantly on hand a choice assortment of dressed and undressed lumber, doors, sash, blinds, building paper and paints. He was born in Macoupin, Ill., in 1848, where he received a good common schooling, and came to Nebraska in 1856 with his parents. He enlisted in 1864 in Company A, First Regiment Nebraska Volunteer Militia, of Nebraska City, and was stationed on the frontier guarding the stage lines from raids made by the Indians, and was discharged at expiration of time. Then went to Chicago, and took a full course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and came back in 1866; and in 1867 took a homestead near Palmyra and farmed five years; then got married in 1871 to Miss Ida Seeley, of Palmyra, and moved to Palmyra in 1872, and in 1873 was appointed Postmaster, and held the position until July, 1881, when he took charge of the Chicago Lumber Yard, as above. He is a staunch Republican, and a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., of Palmyra Lodge, No. 30. GOOD TEMPLARS IN NEBRASKA Old Records of the First State Wide Temperance Organization Recently Acquired by the Historical Society,- What They Show of the Beginnings of the Dry Movement. The Good Templars were in Nebraska July 9, 1867, Nebraska City. Seventeen lodges were reported in the state. Among the well known persons in Nebraska history present were: Rev. J. M. Taggart, A. F. Harvey Nebraska City; W. A. Presson, S. S Alley and Wesley Dundas.

Source: Ruth Moss, Washington County Genealogical Society