Person:Thomas Taber (13)

Thomas C Taber

Thomas C. Taber. A descendant of one of the prominent pioneer families of Huron County, Thomas C. Taber is widely known in Norwalk, where he has extensive business interests. He was born in this city, Aug. 6, 1870, the son of Benjamin C. and Mary Isabel (Parker) Taber.

Benjamin C. Taber was born at Summerville, N. J., Aug. 6, 1840. He was one of Norwalk's foremost citizens and wealthiest business men. Mr. Taber came to Huron County in April, 1856, and settled at Norwalk, where he secured a position as clerk in the store of Parker Brothers. His ability as a merchant and organizer was soon recognized, and the splendid business of the B. C. Taber Company, which has since been developed, though at this time under another name, is a continuation of the enterprise that he entered as a boy almost 75 years ago. For many years it was known as Parker, Manahan & Taber, but in later years it was owned, operated and controlled exclusively by Mr. Taber and his sons. The building, known as the Taber Building, was erected in 1871. He was one of the original incorporators of the Huron County Banking Company, and for many years served successively as vice president and president of the institution, being largely responsible for its policies and phenomenal success. Mr. Taber's reputation as a merchant and financier was not confined to his home town, but he was widely known and respected in the business and banking circles of New York, and Cleveland.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Taber was the first man to enlist in the 55th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was recruited by Col. G. H. Stafford, and at the time Mr. Taber was only 21 years of age. He remained in active service from 1861 until 1865, serving as brigade quartermaster, and was discharged with the rank of captain. In 1866 he married Miss Mary Isabell Parker, the daughter of Hon. C. S. Parker, his business partner. They had one daughter, Cora Isabell, who died in 1893, and two sons, Thomas C., the subject of this sketch, and William P.

Benjamin C. Taber died in Norwalk, June 15, 1919. He was a Republican, and a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, a vestryman for many years, being prominently connected with the building of the new church edifice in 1910.

Hon. C. S. Parker, maternal grandfather of Thomas C. Taber, was born at Burlington, Vt., July 15, 1819, and died at Norwalk, May 10, 1888. He came to Ohio in 1836 and settled at Vermilion, now in Erie County but formerly in Huron County. There he assumed control of a furnace business, with which he was identified for ten years. During the gold rush to California he spent three years in that state, and served as a captain in the famous vigilance committee at Sacramento, Calif. It was in 1853 that Mr. Parker removed to Norwalk and engaged in the mercantile business. He was nominated on the Democratic ticket for sheriff of Huron County in 1863 and in 1874 was a candidate for representative to the Ohio State Legislature from this district. He was elected sergeant at arms in 1875, and two years later was elected to the Ohio State Senate. He was among Huron County's most highly esteemed citizens and made an excellent representative from this district.

Thomas C. Taber obtained his early education in the public schools of Norwalk. He spent two years at Gambier. For a time he was associated with a dry goods business in Cleveland and afterward became interested in the wholesale dry goods business at Omaha, Neb., where he remained until 1896. Upon his return to Norwalk he entered into a partnership with his father, and continued actively identified with the business until 1925. He held the office of president of the company from the time of his father's death in 1919 until his retirement from the dry goods business in 1925. Mr. Taber has numerous business interests in the city, and is a director of the Huron County Banking Company.

In 1908 Mr. Taber was united in marriage with Miss Lettie Roberts, of Norwalk, the daughter of Albert E. and Lida (Rundel) Roberts, who were natives of Norwalk. Mr. Roberts died in 1918 and his wife died in 1926. To Mr. and Mrs. Taber have been born three children: 1. Benjamin C., born in 1908. He is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, and the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1931. He belongs to Psi Upsilon fraternity and Mask and Wig Dramatic Society. 2. Thomas C., Jr., born in 1910. He is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, class of 1930, and attends the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania. 3. Constance, born in 1912. She has attended Dana Hall at Wellesley, Mass., and is now a student at Finch School, New York City.

Mr. Taber and his family are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the vestry and belongs to the Union Club of Cleveland, Norwalk Country Club, Plum Brook Country Club of Sandusky, Kiwanis Club of Norwalk, and is a life member of the Firelands Historical Association. He is a member of the Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences and Young Men's Library and Reading Room Association of Norwalk. Mrs. Taber is a member of Daughters of the American Colonists. Mr. Taber has traveled extensively in Europe and has made numerous trips to the West Indies and Central America.

Thomas C Taber

Last Name: TABER
First Name: THOMAS
Middle Name: C
Spouse Last Name: ROBERTS
Spouse First Name: LETTIE
Age at Time of Death: 68
City of Death: NORWALK
State of Death: OH
Parent's First Name(s): B. C. TABER
Month of Death: 7
Day of Death: 26
Year of Death: 1938

There are 4 newspaper sources.
Source: Clyde Enterprise, 28 Jul 1938, Pg 3 Col 4
Source: Fremont Daily Messenger, 28 Jul 1938, Pg 3 Col 1
Source: Sandusky (OH) Daily News, 26 Jul 1938, Pg 1 Col 8
Source: Sandusky (OH) Daily News, 29 Jul 1938, Pg 5 Col 4

Norwalk City Ward 3, Norwalk Township, ED 56, Sheet 11A, Dwelling 281, Family 299, Lines 1-6, NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1398

Norwalk City Ward 3, Norwalk Township, ED 39-21, Sheet 3A, Dwelling 65, Family 73, Lines 26-30, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1823

Norwalk City Ward 3, Norwalk Township, ED 32, Sheet 9A, Dwelling 207, Family 217, Lines 4-8, NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 1288