William P. Taber, farmer, section 26, Portland twp. was born in Erie Co. NY Sept. 17, 1823. His father, William Taber was also a farmer, a native of Washington Co NY and served in the War of 1812, being a Captain in the same. His mother, nee Isabel Pratt, was a native of Mass. Both his parents are now deceased and of their five children three are now livin; William P., Andrew J. a farmer in Genoa NE; and Valentine a farmer in Pottawatomie Co. IA. The two deceased were Lydia M. Hinchman and Nancy Paynter.

Mr. William P. is of Quaker descent and has lived up to two of the leading traits of that sect, namely; he has never used intoxicating liquors of any kind, or turned a hungry man from his door without satisfying his hunger. On one occasion he was standing in his door-yard, in company with a neighbor, when a stranger approached bearing on his countenance and in his dress the marks of poverty, and asked for something to eat. The neighbor asked the stranger how he came in such a condition; whereupon Mr. Taber reprimanded him, saying "it is none of our business; he is hungry and we should give him something to eat" and he did.

His father moved West in 1828, locating in Knoxville, IL where they resided until 1837; they removed thence to Phenix Twp. Henry Co., this State, where he and his father together owned 700 acres of land, raised large numbers of cattle, and also bought and drove the same species of property for 12 years, driving them to Chicago, Milwaukee and Racine, before the days of railroads. Mr. T. has handled a large amount of live stock in his time.

In 1853 Mr. Taber came to Portland Twp. this county, and purchased 200 acres of his home farm, consisting of 400 acres. He now makes a specialty of Holstein cattle, having over 60 head of high grades, including one thoroughbred from Dr. Pratt of Elgin IL. He usually has 125 to 150 head of cattle. He also owns 18 head of fine Norman-Percheron horses - some of the best in this section of the State. MR. Taber also deals very largely in hogs, fattening and shipping from two to four carloads annually. besides, he has a respectable apiary. In 1884 he shipped 1,800 pounds of white-clover honey to Chicago, at the same time reserving several hundred pounds for home use.

Socially, Mr. Taber is a Free Mason, and he is perhaps more acquainted in the county than any other man. He was married in Portland twp. Sept. 17, 1844 to Hester C., daughter of Smith and Fanny (Booth) Hurd, and a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Taber are the parents of four children - Rothilda, widow of R.B. Kelly and residing with her parents; Ocelia the wife of Barney McGrady a farmer of Tampico; Jane E. wife of J.Q. Hill a farmer of Prophetstown and Heman L., residing on the homestead.

Mr. Taber was reared on the farm; and on account of the newness of the country in which he resided and consequently the lack of common schools, as well as the necessity which reuired him to labor for the maintenance of the family,his education was limited. He has, nevertheless, improved his time in obtaining practical information, and is remarkably well informed on subjects in general. Mr. Taber may be truly said ot be a self-made man, financially as well as in an educational point of view.

Portraits & Biographical Whiteside County 1885 Pg. 729

William P. Taber was born in Erie county, New York, in 1821. He came to Illinois with his father in 1828, and settled in Knox county, where he remained a few years, and then moved to Henry county, near Whiteside, at which place he resided until 1853, when he came to Portland, and opened a fine farm on section 26. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and raising cattle and hogs. Mr. Tabor married Miss Hester Hurd, their children be­ing: Rothilda M., wife of Reuben Kelly, living in Nebraska; Ocelia E., wife of Barney McGrady, living in Tampico; Jennie F., wife of John Hill, living in Prophetstown; and Herman L., who married Miss Ella Lanphere, and lives in Portland.

Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877