[49-322] SARAH RUDY, b ————_; ; d 1872; dau Samuel and Maria (Hartranft) Rudy [49-98]; m AUSTIN LEE TAGGART, 6b Nov., 1836; d Feb., 1894; s William and Esther A. (Lee) Taggart. (1921.) Austin Taggart married 2d time, Hannah Supplee.
Children (9):
Austin L. Taggart, better known throughout Pa. as “Farmer” Taggart, was born in Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., Nov. 21, 1836, and died in 1894 while serving his fourth term in the lower branch of the state legislature. His father was a merchant and lumber dealer, and back of him is a long line of ancestors who came to Pa. in 1740 and helped to make up the sturdy land of early settlers who believed in independence of thought and action. Mr. Taggart’s great-grandfather was a revolutionary soldier, and was killed in battle. In 1850 Mr. Taggart’s father moved to Montg. Co., when the young man was educated at public and private schools. At an early age he began work as a surveyor, and ran the lines and made the maps for a number of counties in Michigan, at the time a growing territory. Returning to Norristown he engaged in the mercantile business, and leaving that began farming on a traet of land three miles from Valley Forge. He was one of the best-known farmers in the country because he always eared for the interests of the farmer. He declined all offices except that of assessor, until 1886, when the Republicans insisted on naming him for the Legislature. This nomination he accepted with reluctance, but after his election entered upon his legislative duties heartily and earnestly. He was re-elected in 1888, 1890 and 1902, and in that time had charge of the important Granger tax bills prepared and endorsed by the State Grange Patrons of Husbandry, for which he made a gallant fight. He was on many important committees, chairman of some because of his recognized ability in certain directions, and during his last term served on the Committee on Railroads, Public Buildings, Accounts.
Mr. Taggart was a member of the Twentieth Pa. cavalry regiment during the Civil War, serving in the emergency attendant upon Lee’s raid, and doing duty along the Potomac River. He was a member of the Grange, having joined in 1874, served as master and overseer, and was a member of the legislative committee of the State Grange.
Personally Mr. Taggart was a most companionable gentleman, fully worthy of the popular esteem in which he was held. He was a deep thinker, did not act on impulse, but when he had made up his mind concerning the just position to take, he adhered to it, no matter what the opposition. On the floor of the house he said what he had to say tersely and ably, and in argument was convincing. He was still residing on his farm at the time of his death. [‘‘House of Representatives.”’|