---from a History of Harrison & Mercer counties, MO published by the
Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888. (Hon. D.J. Heaston a supplier of knowledge).

John Taggart, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Sherman township, was born May 15, 1828, in Monaghan Co., Ireland, and immigrated to the United States in April, 1832. He landed first at Montreal, and in the winter of that year went to New York City. In the spring of 1833 he went to Philadelphia, and a year later to Lumberville, Penn., where he resided four years, and then to Phoenixville where he received a grade-school education. He began life for himself at the age of twenty five as a school teacher, at which vocation he continued engaged four years. About 1838 he went to Indiana, and in 1857 came to the State of MO, with his parents, and settled in Morgan Co., which was at that time but little improved, and began farm life, assisting in felling the forest, building log cabins, rolling logs into heaps, and everything else necessary in a new country. He remained engaged in farming until 1864, when he established himself in the mercantile business at Bolton, Mo. In 1869 he sold his stock of goods, went to Bethany and entered the store of Bohannon & Slinger as a clerk, where he remained three years. He moved to his present location in 1873, and has since engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he is quite successful, Although he began life in moderate cirumstances he now owns 160 acres of nicely improved land, and is one of the substantial men of the township. October 9, 1851 he married Miss Matilda Ann, daughter of John and Nancy (Moore) Wiley, natives of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Taggart, ten children have been born: John W. (deceased), Nancy Ann, wife of Josiah Bogue, Wiley P., James O. (deceased); Madora E., wife of Robert S. Mayhugh; Mr. Taggart is a Democrat in politics, and was elected State Senator in the fall of 1886, by 125 majority, in a district usually Republican. He served four years in this office and was then re-elected for another four-year term, this time by a much larger majority than before by more than 500 majority. For several years he served his township as constable, and in various official capacities, and during the war organized and was elected captain of Company D, Home Guards. He has been a member of the I.O.O.F. for over thirty-five years, and himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. To his parents, John and Ann Jane (Bothwell) Taggart, natives of Ireland, seventeen children were born, of whom John is the fourth. The father died in 1868, aged sixty six, and the mother in 1869, aged sixty two.
1886, Elected To MO Senate - Served Two, Four Year Terms.
1857, Went to MO from Morgan Co., Indiana.
During Civil War, organized & elected Captain of Co. D, Home Guard
abt 1832, Immigrated to U. S. A. from County Monaghan, IRL.,

Oct 1911, Buried at Antioch Cemetery, Harrison County
22 Apr 1851, Another news source indicates marriage to John (b. 1828).

Two children, Lorenzo and Johnnie died in infancy.

Buied in Anitoch cemetery, Harrison Co., MO.

--news item from Harrison County Times, March 1954--

William W. Taggart, who would have been 92 years old the 20th of next month, died here Monday at the home of his son John P. Taggart, where he had resided the last 16 years. He had spent his entire life in Harrison county. He was born in the Old Bolton community and farmed most of his adult life in Sherman township. He was one of 10 children of John and Matilda (Wiley) Taggart and of that family, only a sister, Mrs Emma Baldwin of Omaha, Nebraska, survives. A brother Charles M. Taggart of near Bethany, died in May, 1953.

"Uncle Billy," as he was known by relatives and friends, was a familiar figure on the Bethany streets. He enjoyed visiting with friends and was always informed of current events and retained a keen interest in local affairs.

Besides the son John, survivors in the immediate family are two other sons, Garland and Vilas Taggart and a daughter Mrs. Charley Klindt ( Esther), all of Bethany. Also surviving are 32 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. His companion, the former Mary Etta Nighthart, died Feb. 12, 1938, and following her death he had made his home with his son John.

"Uncle Billy" was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge for nearly 50 years. He joined the Blue Ridge Christian Union church many years ago and left his membership there, but was a regular attendant at the Frist Baptist church in Bethany after he moved from the farm. He served part of a term as county judge.

Funeral services were held yesterday (Wednesday) at 2:00 p.m. at the Blue Ridge church, conducted by the Rev. Orville Rinehart, assisted by the Rev. William Smith. Music was furnished by a double quartet composed of Mesdames Buford Case, Frank Baker, Wayne Rinehart and Roy Cummings and Messrs. Clifford Buis, Roy Cunnings, and Lee and Wayne Rinehart with Mrs. A.A. Chapman, accompanist. Active pallbearers were John Klindt, Chester Lee Klindt, John Gotschall, Wayne Weathers, and Jack Taggart, Bill Taggart and Bernard Taggart. Honorary pall bearers were Archie Crusan, Olin Kies, S.M. Haas, A.R. Cushman, Will Fishel, Joe Sullivan, Harlen Wilkinson, Earl King, Kent Barlow and Will Cover. Burial was in Antioch cemetery with I.O.O.F. rites.

Clark Foutch of the Wheeler funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Buried at Miriam cemetery, Bethany, Harrison Co., MO.

1953, Buried at Antioch Cemetery, Harrison County

12 Sep 1899, Buried at Antioch Cemetery, Harrison County