The Washington herald., 1913-09-07
|. Y. TAFT Dies;
taught BRYAN
Relative of the Former Presi-
dent Was Eighty-One
Years Old.
END COMES SUDDENLY
A Native Of Massachusetts, He Later
Located at Salem, ILL.,, Birthplace
of the Secretary of State.

Suddenly attacked with acute indiges-
ton, Louis v. Taft, eighty-one years
| DID, relative of the former President
and one-tine teacher of Secretary OF
State William Jennings Bryan. died on
Friday at the apartments of his daugh-
ter. Mrs. w. Y. Handy, 1924 w Street
| Northwest.
Mr.. Taft had been in declining health
| for the last five years, being practically
helpless. but his death was wholly un-
expected by relatives and friends. He
was attacked with acute indigestion Fri
day morning, and died after an illness
of only an hour or two.
Funeral services will be held at 10
o'clock tomorrow morning from the un-
dertaking establishment Of w. r. Speare,
$40 F Street Northwest The Rev. Clifton
Ehlers will officiate. Interment will be
in Rock Creek Cemetery.
Born Ht UxbrIdgc, Mass.
Mr. Taft was born in Uxbridge. Mass.
October ?, 1872 He was a lineal de-
scendant of Robert and Sarah Taft, or
Menden. Mass, ancestors of the former
President Mr.. Taft was we'll acquainted
with the father of President Taft. al
though they We're only distantly con-
neCted.
Mr.. Taft spent his boyhood in Mas
there. At the age of about sixteen he
left with his father for the West, set
thing in Iowa His father was one of
the foremost members of the party that
laid out the town of Mount Pleasant.
Mr.. Taft aided his father in the pioneer
work and several years later became
professor of English literature at Howe's
Academy. in Mount Pleasant.
After several years there he went to
Jennings Bryan. He became intimately
acquainted with Judge Bryan, father OF
the Secretary Of State. and for some
time was the teacher of the son. II was
due to the influence of Mr.. Taft that
William Jennings Bryan, at the age Of
nineteen. made his FIRST political speech.
Mr. Taft WAS the splnsor Of the Occa-
sion and he often referred to it as the
beginning Of Mr.. Bryan's political career.
Editor of Newspaper.
At Salem, Mr. Taft established the
Salem Advocate, of which he was the
editor many years. All his life he was
an ardent Democratic and once was
Democratic candidate for the State Legis-
lature of Illinois. During BTyan's first
candidacy for the residency, Mr.. Taft
took the stump for him.
Among Mr.. Taft's most intimate friends
in his early days were Senator Presley
Saunders OF Iowa, and Governor Gesr CT
Iowa. who later became United States
Senator.
Mr.. Taft came TO Washington about
thirty years ago. receiving an appoint
ment TO the Government Printing Office.
He was employed there for about ten
years, at the end OF which time he re-
signed. his health having became i'm
paired. For many Years Mr.. Taft was
Washington correspondent for a number
of Iowa newspapers, among them being
the Mount Pleasant Free Press. He was
well known among the older members
Of the local newspaper fraternity.
WHs Twice Married.
Mr Taft was married twice. His first
took place when he was TWEEN
ty-three years old. but his wife lived
Only a few years. He remained a wild
ower for about fifteen years. marrying
FOR the second time. April :. 1870. His
bride was Miss Savory House, member !
Df an old Kentucky family. Mrs. Taft
lied about twenty-eight years ago.
Mr. Taft Is survived by two children |
Mrs. ". Y. Handy. with whom he had ,
been residing: and Mrs w. L. Elliot. !
IF 1872 Vernon Street Northwest, and /,
Hiram Parker, OF Detroit |
Mich.
Mr.. Taft was a longtime member Of /
he Vermont Avenue Christian Church. !
He was also connected with Columbia |
Union.