Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1920-08-25
OLD PIONEER PASSES
AFTER WORTHY CAREER
James TAFT Well Known Turnout
County Was An Interesting s.
Character-Reached
Age of SO Years

We chronicle this week the sad
demise OF one of the old veterans of
the early times of the county. James
TAFT, who passed away Thursday,
August 18th, at the old place near Dia-
mond Lake. Due to his advancing
years his health has not been of the
best for some time but only until three
weeks ago was he constrained by his
illness to contine himself to his bed
where he quietly passed away into the
Great Beyond following his two wor-
thy brothers who preceded him during
the past four years. The departed
old pioneer was the second of the well
known TAFT brOthrs and was born near
Moffat, Scotland in the year 1881
When a youngster he grew strong and
firm-willed while working as a shep-
herd with his flock of sheep which he
tended among the hills of his native
land. In 1853 he emigrated~ to this
country in company with his brother
Robert. They settled, upon their ar
rival, in the state of Wisconsin, but in
1858 the brothers came to Diamond
Lake and secured claim in Section
10. Here for some time they were
scarcely able to realize livlihoou and
on several occasions engaged in severe
encounters with roaming bands of In
dams which during that time carried
the bloody axe of massacre thru this
region. It is told of James TAFT dur
ing one of these struggles with the
Indians, when he and his followers
were on their way to the fort for pro
protection from the hotly-pursuing red
skins, that he stopped to light his pipe
and cursed the foe for not giving him
quarter at lesat to tend to that need.
In june 1870, the departed was unit
ed in holy marriage to Miss Mary E.
Dowdell to which happy union five
children were born one of which, a
son, has gone before. The deceased
leaves to mourn his departure his
grief-afflicted wife and the four chill
dren, Adam who has managed the
home farm for years, Andrew residing
near the old place, Tillie (Mrs. Elmer
Anderson) living by Diamond Lake and
Sadie (Mrs. Leonard Blomquist) at
Kandiyohi. Eight grandchildren sur
vive their aged and beloved granddad:
Ronald, Celia, Roderick, Glen and
Vernon TAFT and Vernice, Leone and
Everett Anderson.
The remains of this hardy pioneer
were laid to rest last Saturday morn
ing August 21st in the Oak Side Gem
etery. The last rites were conducted
by Rev. Ro1lstone of the Presbyterian
church in Atwater who in earnestness
spoke of the eventful and strenuous
life of the departed. Six of the de-
parted's nephews carried the remains
to its earthly tomb: John, Walter. vii.
liam, Thomas, Edward and Hugh TAFT.
During the services at the home Dr.
Lester Porter of Atwater sang two
vocal solos. Many beautiful floral tri
butes were paid by sympathetic
session of people followed the cortege
to it's resting place in the cemetery.
The departed was a loving and be-
loved husband and father. AS citi
zen he was at all time vitality interest.
ed in the events of the times and al
tho he still cherished an attachment
to his native land in Scotland yet his
patriotism and love of his new coun
try was always strong and mistaken
He was a great lover of books and lit
erature and spent much time in per
using such preferable writing which
he found. Despite his old age he could
remember very we'll the happenings oil
the past and would talk gladly on any
topic of the day. Sincere sympath:
is felt for the one lone brother, Robert
who is left to mourn the passing O.
his three associates in pioneer worl
and his companion brothers. To thu
bereaved are extended the expression.
of sincere concern over the passing O.
this sturdy and staunchl oak of earl!
pioneer history.