My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

William Taff is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Bennett) Taff. The parents came to Crawford County about 1828, having formerly lived in East Tennessee. Just before the war they moved to Dent County, where both died. The father, who was a farmer, and a soldier of the War of 1812, died at about the age of seventy-four years, and the mother, who was a member of the Methodist Church, lived to be fifty-six years old. William Taff was born in McMinn County, Tenn., in 1821, but since early childhood Crawford County has been his home. His educational advantages were the poorest. In 1840 he married Delilah Carver. Their household goods consisted of stools, board tables, a grass bed made on pieces driven into the wall, having only one post, and Mr. Taff was $98 in debt. As a result of industry and economy he soon became independent, and at one time owned about 900 acres of land. He began merchandising in 1873, which business he has since carried on. During the war he served about four months in the State Militia. In politics he is a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Taff have been born eleven children, of whom seven are living, viz.: Julia A., Thomas J., John W., Martha, Lewis, Rachel C. and Mary M. The parents have both been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and Mr. Taff is a Master Mason.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 117 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Crawford County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.