My Genealogy Hound

THURSTON W. TAGGART was known and honored throughout Randolph County, being a native-born citizen, an extensive agriculturist, and at one time Postmaster at New Palestine. His birth occurred March 31, 1856, near Blair, he being the eldest child of Amos and Sylvania (Carsteller) Taggart. Both families were among the early and prominent settlers of Randolph County. The father is yet surviving and is greatly esteemed for his kindly acts of hand and heart.

Our subject attended the common schools of his district, and until attaining his majority aided his father on the home farm. At this period in life he started out for himself and continued to conduct his chosen occupation with the exception of a year and a-half, during which time he was Superintendent of the County Farm. His farm comprised at his death eighty acres, which he had worked hard to improve and cultivate.

November 22, 1882, Mr. Taggart and Miss Catherine R., a daughter of George and Anna (Willinger) Bauer, were united in marriage. Her parents were both born in Germany, but came to this country when quite young, and here spent their entire lives. By the union of our subject and his wife three children were born: Sydney, who died in infancy; Francis V. and Anna, both of whom are living with their mother. The good wife and children were deprived of a loving husband and devoted father May 2, 1889, when Thurston Taggart was called from this, life to the land beyond.

Mrs. Taggart is the present Postmistress at New Palestine, the duties of which she is discharging faithfully and with credit to herself as well as to the satisfaction of the people. She is a clear headed business woman, and, in addition to the management of the post office, is also conducting a profitable mercantile business, which was established by her husband in 1886. She is connected with the Catholic Church, with which Mr. Taggart was also identified. In politics he was a Democrat.