BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Page 682. JOSEPH J. TAGGART Joseph J. Taggart was born in Richland township, of which he is now a venerable and honored resident, October 19,1823. His grandfather was a native of Ireland and emigrated to America about 1773, settling in York county, Penn. His maternal grandfather was a soldier of the revolution, and was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware river and at Valley Forge. In 1800, taking with him his large family of children, he removed to Jefferson county, Ohio, and shortly afterward came to Belmont county. His son, Isaac, the father of the subject of this mention, was born in Chester county, Penn. He and his brother served during the war ot 1812 in Capt. Campbell's company for six months. He died at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife's maiden name was Margaret McCaughey. Joseph J. Taggart was reared on the farm at which he was born, and received the education common to his early days. On January 6, 1852, he was married to Margaret Wells, who was born in 1829 in Jefferson county, daughter of Levi and Ellen (Clemens) Wells, and by this union had eight children, five of whom are living: Alexander, William, Lena M., Addie and Plattoff. Mr. Taggart and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for ten years. He is influential and popular and has efficiently discharged the duties of township trustee for twelve years in succession. In November, 1889, he was elected land appraiser on the democratic ticket, without opposition. His farm, which is handsomely improved, includes seventy-seven acres of land.