Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-05-13
D. J. TAFT DIES AT HIS HOME

Death took from our midst on
Tuesday morning, in many respects,
Barbour's most prominent man, in
the person of Daniel Jarvis Taft
He had lived, his 'three score and
ten" years To be exact his age was
20 years, s months and % days.
The ills of life had been preying
upon him for number of years, and
those who were closest to him, were
satisfied that his health was fast
breaking and that the end would not
be far off
His recent trip to the South seem
ed to prove beneficial to him and
when he returned, was somewhat
stronger and encouraged but sud
den attack of cold proved too much
for his failing strength.
Mr.. Taft's life was a busy one.
From very boyhood, he was self
supporting His first business ven
ture was in small store in Philippi.
From that he arose in a business way
until he became president of one of
our largest banking institutions The
First National Bank of Philippi
Every business in which he engag-
ed prospered and grew His honor
able, straight forward ways, bound
the people to him in what ever he
was doing.
He was elected surveyor Of Bar
bour county and probably did more
of that kind Of work than any other
man in our county We never heard
question raised regarding any sur
vey made by Dan Taft
Nearly thirty years ago he en-
braced the Christian religion, con
nected himself with the Baptist
church at this place, and since that
time served his Master with a zeal
that was the admiration OF all For
about fifteen years he led the Sun
day School hosts of Barbour county,
il way never approached by any
other. His very presence in his
favorite work drew the deepest IN
terest from his people He rallied
every denomination to his side. They
all with one accord followed his lead.
and made the Sunday School organi
cation of his county leader in the
State work. This was his favorite
work and when his health would not
admit of further enjoyment, he laid
it down with fearful regret. One
of his last expressions to the writer,
on Monday of this week, told how he
regretted that he was unable to be
in his chosen work-the Sunday
School, His spirit will still lead in
that organization, and the present
and future officials of the Sunday
School activity viii find it where
ever they go, to encourage them.
His life was so full Of good deeds,
not grand stand plays, but the quiet
expressions of real heart warnings
for the suffering, that it was a
thorough benediction.
Dan" Taft's name will last. Bles-
scd is the young man who follows in
his steps.
He is survived by two sisters
Miss Annie, who shared his home
until his going, and Mrs. Floyd I.
Holden, of Baltimore. His parents,
MIR. and Mrs. Nathan II. Taft, and
his two brothers., Ed. S. and Gran
vile f. Taft, preceded him.
Today his funeral is being held
at the home, by his pastor, Rev. q.
NJ. Turner assisted by DR.. Elkanah
Hulley and Rev Walter B. Pimm,
former pastor.
In the early morning his spirit took
its fight. AS he said few days
since to friend it was morning nat
evening to him. He is enjoying tae
morning Of eternity.
The funeral was held today nos
his late home, where large
course of friends and neighbors az
sembled to pay their last respects TO
a departed friend The abundance of
beautiful flowers were silent tributes