[p. 381] once one of New Castle's most highly esteemed citizens, where he was honorably engaged in business enterprises for a number of years, was a native of Belmont County, Ohio, where he was born in 1830. In 1853 he came to New Castle, and in his beautiful new home in this city his useful life came to a close on December 30, 1896.
The parents of the late John Smith Taggart were Joseph and Jane (Smith) Taggart. Joseph Taggart was born in Ireland, and in early manhood, in company with his three older brothers, James, William and Isaac, he emigrated to America and subsequently settled in Ohio. He died on the farm he acquired there, at the age of fifty-five years. He married Jane Smith and they had four children: Sarah, Dorothy, Margaret and John Smith, the only son being so named in honor of the maternal grandfather.
John Smith Taggart remained on the home farm in Belmont County until about 1850, when he removed to Darlington, Beaver County. Here he was married, and remained there engaged in general merchandising, under the firm name of Thompson & Taggart until 1853, when he came to New Castle, in search of employment. He was a young man of engaging personality and soon secured recognition and, in a short time, gave evidence to his employers that he possessed the business qualifications which they desired and, consequently, for a number of years, he rendered acceptable service to several of the oldest and most prominent business firms of the city. With the passing years he married and reared a family and when his son, Samuel J., reached manhood the father and son became associated in a retail shoe business, under the firm name of J. S. Taggart & Son. For a time Mr. Taggart was prominently identified with oil interests, first in Tennessee, later in Venango County, Pennsylvania, and still later in Beaver County, in the same state. In 1881 he retired from the oil field and embarked in a real estate business, opening an office at New Castle, where he did a large business until failing health compelled his practical retirement.
On December 13, 1851, Mr. Taggart was married to Nancy J. Hamilton. The grandparents of Mrs. Taggart came to America from Ireland and settled in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where they lived into old age, finally passing away honored and esteemed by all who knew them. Of their children, Samuel Hamilton, father of Mrs. Taggart was the sixth son. He became a man of mark not only in Beaver County, but one of prominence all over the state, serving in the local offices of township and county and later in the State Legislature. He married Arabella Scroggs and the three surviving members of their family of nine children are: Mrs. Taggart and her two sisters, Mary and Louise.
The children born to the late John Smith Taggart and wife were five in number. The four survivors are: Arabella Jane, who married A. C. Jones; Dorothy Elizabeth, who married T. F. Morehead; John C., who is connected with the Carnegie Steel Company, and Charles P., of New York City. Samuel J. died in January, 1890.
Mr. Taggart was an upright, broadminded, public spirited citizen. In early life he found it nessary to practically take care of himself and assume burdens for others, and it is possible that his life was shortened by his strenuous efforts during that period. He overcame difficulties and achieved both material success and the other success which makes him recalled in loving remembrance by his family and fellow-citizens. He was an ardent Republican and on many occasions was shown high favor by his party. He was a consistent member of the United Presybterian Church and a generous benefactor in many charities.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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