IowaJones/Biographies/J. F. Tasker

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J. F. Tasker–J. Taylor

J. F. Tasker
Born June 3, 1863

J. F. Tasker, a well known farmer of Wyoming township, was born in this county, June 3, 1863, and is a son of William and Grace (Paul) Tasker. The mother was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and the father of Scotland. In his early manhood he came to the United States, settling first in Ohio, where he became acquainted with and married his wife. Shortly after their union in 1852, they came to Iowa, joining the band of those for themselves contributed to the development of the resources of that state. For a few years they lived in Linn county, where Mr. Tasker had procured land, and then came to Jones county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, save one year that of 1876, which they spent in North Carolina. When Mr. Tasker arrived in this country he was in limited circumstances, but he made the most of opportunities, so that when his death occurred, October 10, 1904, in his eighty-seventh year, he was in the enjoyment of a comfortable income. Mrs. Tasker, who shared with him the prosperity he attained, died August 13, 1903, being sixty-seven years of age. Eleven children were born to them: L. M., a farmer and stockman of this township; J. F., the subject of this sketch; F. P., who is in partnership with his brother L. M.; Mary C., who is the wife of L. W. Morse, of Wyoming township; Arnetta V., the wife of Frank Henderson, now living in Virginia; and six who have passed away.

T. F. Tasker received a fair education in the common schools of the county throughout his youth assisted his father in the work of the farm. Until of age he remained at home, and then, having attained his majority, he embarked in business for himself. For four years he worked as a renter and then bought the place on which lie is living today. It is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 16, Wyoming township, on which he follows general farming, the soil being well adapted to a rotation of crops. The land is improved with buildings of substantial construction, while the fields are tilled by methods that are fully abreast of the most advanced in his calling, their appearance bespeaking, the careful cultivation of the owner.

In 1888 Mr. Tasker wedded Miss Minnie Bill, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Oliver and Mary (Faucet) Bill. The former was a native of New York state, but moved to Ohio where he became acquainted with the woman he later married. She was of English birth, but had come to America with her parents in early life. The family located in Ohio, which remained Mrs. Bill's home until sometime in the early '50s, when she and her husband came to Iowa. Mr. Bill has since passed away, and his widow followed him October 30, 1909. Seven children were born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Tasker have two children: Neil R. and Robert K.

Mrs. Tasker was reared in the faith of the Methodist church and to a certain extent still continues in sympathy with that creed. Politically Mr. Tasker is a republican, but while he has served as school director for a period of twelve years, he could not be called a seeker for official preferment. Yet he is ever interested in the welfare of his fellow citizens and is ready to exert himself in their behalf. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of Wyoming Lodge No. 183.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 641.

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L. M. and F. P. Tasker

L. M. and F. P. Tasker, who together operate one of the fine horse farms of Wyoming township, were born near the village of Onslow and are the sons of William and Grace (Paul) Tasker. The mother was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, but the father was a native of Scotland. He came to the United States, however, in his early manhood, locating first in Ohio. While there he made the acquaintance of the woman who afterward became his wife, and in 1852 he walked from Iowa City to Jones county. In Linn county, he purchased his first farm and a few years later bought a tract of land in Jones countv which remained his and his wife's home until 1875-6, which year they spent in North Carolina. When Mr. Tasker came to this country he had but very little money with him, but he was a careful business man, being able to derive a fair income from his investments, so that at his death, which occurred October 10, 1904, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, he was in comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Tasker had died a little more than a year before her husband, her death having taken place August 27, 1903. Eleven children were born to them: L. M.; J. F., who lives in Wyoming township F. P.; Mary C., the wife of J. W. Morse, of the same township; Araminta B., the wife of Frank Henderson, now living in Virginia: and six who have passed away.

I. M. and F. P. Tasker were reared in this state and received their education in the common schools. Almost from their childhood they were initiated into the secrets of the cultivation of the soil, assisting in the work that was carried on their father's land as soon as they were able to handle the farm implements. When they attained to manhood they decided to start in life for themselves, securing a tract of land at what is known as East Ridge. This is still a part of their property, although they have added to it from time to time, until now they own three hundred and eighteen acres, lying on sections 16 and 17, Wyoming township. On this they follow general farming, and raise a quantity of stock, which finds a ready market on account of its quality, but it is as breeders of draft horses of the Percheron strain that they are known, for their herd contains some of the finest mares in the county.

The brothers have remained unmarried, and both give their support to the republican candidates as the choice of the party in whose platform they have the greatest confidence. They have not sought any office within the gift of the people, however, although L. M. Tasker has served the township as trustee. Together they belong to the chapter of the Mystic Workers located in Wyoming.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 640.

Edwin Tathwell
Born Sept, 16, 1845

EDWIN E. TATHWELL, druggist and assistant Postmaster, Martelle; born Sept, 16, 1845, in Rahway, N. J.; in 1857, came to Ohio with his parents; in 1865, came to present locality. In 1878, he commenced the drug business. Married Miss Josie McKean October 1, 1871; she was born in Linn Co.; have two children—Roy and Gracie. He enlisted, in 1862, in Co. A, 96th Ohio V.I.; was discharged March 10, 1864, on account of wounds received in his right arm at the battle of Carrion Crow, La., for which he receives a pension; participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Port Hudson, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, Black River, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson and others; was transferred to Vicksburg to the Gulf Department.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 589.

Dr. E. S. Taylor
Born September 15, 1850

DR. E. S. TAYLOR, dentist, office over McGrew's drug store, Wyoming; horn September 15, 1850, in Windsor Co., Vt. In 1873, he came to Jones Co., thence to Marshall Co.; in 1875, he came to Wyoming; commenced the study of dentistry with Dr. Bradshaw; has been in practice since 1868; he was admitted as a junior member of the State Dental Society at Iowa City, in 1868; the following year, he was admitted as a senior member at Clear Lake, Iowa. Married Isadore Albee in March, 1872; she was born in Rockingham, Windsor Co., Vt.; died November 14, 1878; lost one child in infancy.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 606.

J. W. Taylor
Born 1829

J. W. TAYLOR, farmer, Rome Twp., Sec. 21; P.O. Olin; born in Marion Co., Ind., in 1829; came to Iowa in 1844; entered 160 acres and now owns 238 acres; made all the improvements on the place. In politics, Democrat; in religion, Christian; has been Trustee, Road Supervisor, Constable and School Director. His market was Muscatine, and sold wheat for 40 cents, dressed pork for $3, and took pay in goods or bobtail currency. His first wife, Amanda Inghram, was born in Fleming Co., Icy., in 1837, and came to Iowa in 1844; married November 18, 1852; died in 1874; had five children—Theodore J., Lemuel C., Frank L., Alma N., Lydia E. (died January 28, 1863). Second wife, Gussie Justice, was born in Lawrence Co., Penn., in 1845; came to Iowa in 1855; married George Lee in 1866; he died March 12, 1811; had one child—George. Mrs. Lee, now Mrs. Taylor, married April 1, 1875, and has one child—Maggie May.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 653.

Hon. John Taylor
Born February 16, 1808

HON. JOHN TAYLOR, Cascade. Hon. John Taylor, or, as he is more familiarly called, Judge Taylor, is the son of David Taylor and Martha McNeil, and was born February 16, 1808, in Rockingham Co., N.H. This was his home until 17 years of age, when he removed to Essex Co., N.Y., where he resided two years. He afterward lived awhile in Greene Co., and then in Albany Co. In 1834, he went to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and, in the autumn of 1836, came to Milwaukee, where he tarried about one year. He is a natural mechanic, but his chief occupation has been that of farming. The winter of 1837-38 he spent in the South, mainly in Louisiana. In the spring of 1838, he located in Dubuque, which continued to be his home for several years. In 1841, he purchased the place on which he now resides, on Sec. 1, in Richland Township, about one mile from Cascade, which is his post office. In October, 1843, he was elected Probate Judge of Jones County, for a term of three years. He was elected from Jones Co. as a member of the first Constitutional Convention of Iowa, which convened in October, 1844. He was married in Dubuque, December 25, 1844, to a native of Kentucky, Miss Elizabeth Graffort, on the occasion of her parents' golden wedding. In April, 1845, he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature, by the counties of Cedar, Linn and Jones; the first session of said Legislature was held in May and June, and the next in the winter of 1845-46. He was appointed by the State Legislature in 1847, one of the Commissioners to locate a permanent seat of government for the State. He was elected a member of the Legislature, the session of which was held in the winter of 1852-53. In 1859, he was again elected to the Legislature from Jones Co., which regular session was at Des Moines, in 1860, with an extra session in May, 1861. He has one son, John Taylor, Jr., born December 22, 1846. He is now living near his father and upon the original purchase of 1841. Judge Taylor was a loyal supporter of the Government during the trial-period from '61 to '65, but has always been a Democrat from principle—a firm friend of the people and of their chosen government. Although Jones Co. is strongly Republican, yet the Judge has never been defeated in a political contest in his own county. The Judge is only a "brother-in-law" of the Evangelical Church—his wife being an acceptable member of the Baptist Church. He is kind, benevolent, and often sought as a counselor—is a humanitarian. Conservative and conscientious, with ripened wisdom, he is pursuing the even tenor of his way to that "bourne whence no traveler returneth."

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 691.