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Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer


				GEORGE L. TAFT
			   MRS. ELIZA (CLARK) TAFT
			 MRS. SOPHIA (COURTER) TAFT	

	G. L. Taft, of Ionia, was born in the township of Ionia, Oct. 18, 1841, and is therefore
ranked among the early settlers of the locality.  His father, John Taft, was born in New York in 
1812.  He was a farmer by occupation, and married Eliza Clark, also a native of New York, in 
which State she was born in 1814.  They removed to Ionia Co., Mich., in 1837, and settled in the 
valley of Grand River, in the township of Ionia.
	George L. Taft lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age.  He was the eldest 
son, and one of seven children; commenced teaching at eighteen, and taught winters until 
twenty-one, attending the Hillsdale College a portion of the summer.  At the age of twenty-one 
he purchased a farm in the township of Ionia for himself, retaining it about two years.; then 
purchased a half-section of wild land in Orange township, improving it, selling a portion, and 
purchasing additional, owning now two hundred acres.  His wife, formerly Sophia Courter, of
Monroe Co., N. Y., was born Dec. 6, 1839, in Wayne County of the same State.  They have three 
children.  Mr. Taft is now residing in Ionia City for the purpose of giving his children 
superior educational advantages.  He is connected with the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of 
Ionia County at present.  He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, with which he united when twenty-two years of age.  He  has aided much in the support of 
church affairs.  His father was a man of considerable importance, and held positions of 
supervisor, town treasurer, etc.  About fifteen years ago he rode over to the village of Ionia, 
leaving his horse at the hotel, and started for the depot to take the train, intending to  visit 
Rochester, N. Y.  Since that time nothing has ever been heard of him, although every effort was 
made and search in every possible way instituted to find him.  The supposition is that the time 
of his proposed visit, and that he was murdered for the money while he had on his person.
	Mr. Taft's mother is still living on the old homestead.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Pages 167-168.