Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Taggart, Edward Thomas August 26, 1868 - September 18, 1925
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com April 18, 2008, 3:06 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

	EDWARD THOMAS TAGGART.  The horizon of each man’s achievements is 
limited only by his own capacities and powers. Endowed with the requisite 
ability and the equally necessary qualities of energy and determination, 
Edward Thomas Taggart steadily advanced toward the goal of his ambition, never 
fearing that laborious effort which must precede ascendancy in every line of 
endeavor, and became recognized as-one of Portland’s foremost attorneys, A man 
of steadfast purpose and strict honesty, he dignified the profession of his 
choice and faithfully and efficiently discharged the many trusts reposed in 
him.
	Mr. Taggart was born in County Antrim, Ireland, August 26, 1868, and 
was a son of John and Elizabeth (Higginson) Taggart, the former of Scotch 
descent and the latter of English lineage. Edward Thomas Taggart was reared on 
his father’s farm and received a common school education, afterward doing work 
of various kinds.  At the age of nineteen he severed home ties and came to the 
United States by way of Canada.  His destination was San Francisco, 
California, where he was employed in various ways for two years, working at 
anything he could find to do, and then came to Oregon, locating in Portland in 
1889. For a short time he was a conductor in the employ of the Portland 
Railway & Cable Company and then accepted a position in the dry goods store of 
Lipman & Wolfe.  He remained with that firm for four years and during that 
time took a correspondence course in law, devoting every leisure moment to 
study. In 1896 he severed his connection with Lipman & Wolfe and went to Ann 
Arbor, matriculating in the University of Michigan. There he was given one 
full year’s credit for the work he had accomplished by home study and in June, 
1898, received the degree of LL. B. from the university.  After his graduation 
Mr. Taggart returned to Portland and entered upon his career as an attorney. 
Earnest, conscientious and capable, he prospered from the beginning, and his 
professional prestige rapidly increased. In the presentation of a case he was 
always well fortified by a comprehensive knowledge of the legal principles 
applicable thereto and won many verdicts favorable to the interests of his 
clients, at all times exerting his best efforts in their behalf. For twenty-
seven years he practiced successfully in Portland, handling much important 
litigation during that period. He passed away September 18, 1925.
	While attending the University of Michigan, Mr. Taggart met Miss 
Eugenia Hobbs, who was later graduated from that institution, and they were 
married August 28, 1899, in Tacoma, Washington. Mrs. Taggart’s parents were 
Jonas and Rebecca (Curtis) Hobbs, members of an old family of New York state.
	As a young man Mr. Taggart was keenly interested in athletic sports 
and among the treasured possessions of his widow is a photograph of the old 
Scott tug-of-war team, of which he was a member. He became a Mason in 1887 and 
at San Francisco joined Occidental Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M., about 1899, 
while later he was made a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M., of 
Portland. In 1892 he became identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and held all the offices in the subordinate lodge. He was a member of 
the Irvington Club and the local and state bar associations. His parents were 
Presbyterians and he always adhered to that faith.  Politically he was a 
strong republican.
	Mr. Taggart held to high standards in the field of professional 
service, and his clients trusted him implicitly and many placed their 
financial affairs as well as their legal interests in his hands. He was the 
very soul of honor and his death was a great loss to Portland as well as to 
his profession. His manners were marked by that deference and courtesy which 
are the outward expression of a gentle, kindly nature, and his friends were 
legion. He loved his home and his married life was ideal. Mrs. Taggart is a 
woman of culture and charm, and her life has also been one of much usefulness. 
As an educator she rendered service of value to the city and long has been 
teacher of biology in the Lincoln high school. During 1914-15 she was 
president of the Oregon branch of the American Association of University Women 
and is one of its charter members.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 450-453

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