Stephen Taber

Stephen Taber
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1869
Preceded byDwight Townsend
Succeeded byHenry A. Reeves
Member of the New York State Assembly
In office
January 1, 1860 – December 31, 1861
Preceded byEdward A. Lawrence
Succeeded byIsaac Coles
ConstituencyQueens County, 1st District
Personal details
Born(1821-03-07)March 7, 1821
Dover, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 23, 1886(1886-04-23) (aged 65)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Resting placeRoslyn Cemetery, Roslyn, New York
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Rosetta M. Townsend
​
(m. 1845)​
Children5
RelativesThomas Taber II (father)
George T. Pierce (cousin)
OccupationFarmer, businessman

Stephen Taber (March 7, 1821 – April 23, 1886) was an American farmer, businessman, and politician from New York. A Democrat, he served in the New York State Assembly from 1860 to 1861 and as a U.S. Representative from 1865 to 1869.

Biography

Taber was born in Dover, New York on March 7, 1821, the son of Thomas Taber II and Phebe (Titus) Taber. He was educated in Dover and Poughkeepsie, then moved to Queens, New York, where he engaged in farming and business.

In addition to farming, Taber assisted in organizing the Long Island North Shore Transportation Company in 1861 and served as its president for several years. He was also a director of the Long Island Rail Road. After moving to Roslyn, New York, he became the first president of the Roslyn Savings Bank in 1876. Taber also helped establish a steamboat route between Roslyn and New York City. As a booster of Roslyn's local economy, Taber took steps to make the village a tourist attraction, including constructing an observation tower and picnic area at the top of Harbor Hill, where Clarence Hungerford Mackay later constructed a mansion.

Political career

A Democrat, Taber was a member of the New York State Assembly (Queens County, 1st District) in 1860 and 1861.

In 1864, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 1866 and served in the 39th and 40th Congresses (March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1869).

Death

Taber died in New York City on April 23, 1886. He was buried at Roslyn Cemetery in Roslyn.

Family

In 1845, Taber married Rosetta M. Townsend. They were the parents of five children: Samuel T., William T., Adelaide, Gertrude, and Thomas T.

Taber was the first cousin of George T. Pierce, who served in the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Dutchess and Putnam. Vol. 1. Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897. pp. 212, 218 – via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Joint Committee on Printing, U.S. Congress (1950). Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 1891 – via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 Russell, Ellen Fletcher; Russell, Sargent (2009). Images of America: Roslyn. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-7385-6505-7 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Death Notice, Hon. Thomas Taber". Albany Evening Journal. Albany, NY. March 24, 1862. p. 2 – via GenealogyBank.com.