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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.
From:
History of North Central Ohio
Embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne,
Medina, Lorin, Huron and Knox Counties
BY: William A. Duff
Historical Publishing Company
Topeka-Indianapolis 1931
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