This is a transcription of the biography of Hugh Taber of White Creek from History of Washington County, New York with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some if its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Philadelphia: Everts & Ensign, 1878.

The Taber family is of English extraction. Sylvanus Taber, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to the town of White Creek, N. Y., from New Bedford, Mass., in 1803. He married Elizabeth Hart, of Dartmouth, Mass., and had three children, William Hart, Stephen, and Phoebe. He followed the business of shoemaking most of his life, and that of tanning in his later years. He died in August, 1848, over seventy years of age, and his wife Elizabeth in 1832, at an advanced age.

Stephen, father of Hugh, was born at New Bedford, Mass., in December, 1801, and was brought by his parents to White Creek at an early age. In 18-34 he married Sarah Allen, daughter of John and Content Allen of White Creek, by whom he had six children, of whom four only are living, Elizabeth, Hugh, Margaret, and Sarah. Mr. Taber was raised a shoemaker, and followed that business for a number of years. He then engaged in the manufacture of gloves, a business which he is still following, at White Creek, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife is still living.

Hugh Taber was born at White Creek, near his present place of residence, on Sept. 7, 1838. During his minority he resided with his father, engaging in farming and the growing of flax, and enjoying such educational advantages as the common schools of the day afforded. After arriving at his majority, he engaged in the same business on his own account.

On August 23, 1865, he married Mary, daughter of George and Sophia Briggs, of White Creek, and has had four children, namely: Ada Sophia, born May 4, 1867; Susan Josephine, born July 6, 1869; Stephen, born July 6, 1871; and William, born July 8, 1873. His wife died August 12, 1875.

Mr. Taber is at present pursuing the occupation of farming and flax-raising at White Creek. He also acts as agent for James B. Jermain, of Albany, who owns a large tract of land at White Creek. Since Mr. Taber has had charge of Mr. Jermain’s estate he has largely developed it and enhanced its value; has built a large cheese-factory and creamery upon the same, which is now in successful operation,—using the milk from four hundred cows,—and has improved it in other substantial respects, gathering around him meantime a class of thrifty and enterprising farmers, and greatly increasing the importance and influence of his town.

In politics, Hugh Taber is a Republican, and has always been such, without other deviation than that he sympathized with the late Reform movement of Mr. Greeley. In 1865 he was elected assessor of the town of White Creek, and filled that office for the full term of three years. In 1867 he was elected a justice of the peace, an office which he has continued to fill ever since to the satisfaction of all. In March, 1876, he was elected to the important town office of supervisor, and still holds that office, having been re-elected twice. Mr. Taber is prominent in the religious and charitable movements of his town, actively identified with its material development, and strictly upright in all his business transactions. He owns and tills a beautiful farm of one hundred and twenty acres. A view of his residence and its surroundings may be seen on another page of this work.

Residence of Hugh Taber