Old Timers

Fennimore Times, 25 Nov 1931 This is a picture of the two oldest in the township of Haney and perhaps in Crawford county; Absalom and Alanson Taft. The latter past four score, the former past four score and ten years. Their parents, Alanson Taft Sr. and Elizabeth Graves came to Haney from Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in the 50s. The children were Absalom, Phebe, (Mrs. H. F. Haskins); Mary, (Mrs. Wm. Dowling, later Mrs. James Holden); Elizabeth, (Mrs. Harrison Coleman); Alanson, Olive (Mrs. James Harris) and her twin brother Oliver; and Addie. Only three are living, Absalom, Alanson and Olive, the others are all sleeping in the Haney Ridge cemetery. All were born in Pennsylvania except Addie. The Taft homestead was on Sunny Ridge and comprised 540 acres of land, originally nearly all timber. Oliver Taft lived on it until his death, now his daughter Bessie, Mrs. Herbert Wallin does. The Taft school is on the homestead. Absalom Taft farm is two miles west of the Taft homestead. He lives with his daughter, Mrs. David Lester, and husband, they too have eight

children. Mr. Taft was born March 27, 1841, and is thus past 90. He was married twice to Emeline Coleman, and Mary Pittsley, both are deceased. He is still in fairly good health, although his eyesight is getting weak. He has a wonderful memory, and can recall and tell about the early days in a most interesting way and a person can have a fine visit with him. He once drove an ox team way out to Colorado. It was a long, tedious trip. Absalom Taft has 39 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Alanson Taft (Uncle Lanty) as he is endearingly called, was born April 26, 1850. He has lived on the same place since he married. He too was wedded twice; his first wife was Olive McBurney, his second Nancy Jane Fry. He lives on his 200 acre farm with his son Louis. His daughter. Mrs. Lester Sabins, resides near Woodman. Louis wife is a daughter by J. E. Rogers. They have a son Stanley and a daughter Mrs. Joe Hagen of Boscobel. Uncle Lanty is vigorous and still does all kinds of farm work. We saw him put a handle in a heavy maul he was going to use to drive fence posts with. He has a fine sugar-bush. Arent they nice oats, he asked us, opening the door to bin. They sure were, the best we had seen, this year. In the house Uncle Lanty likes to sit down and have a good visit with you. He is so genial and full of fun. Can spin yarns and tales of the old times by the hour. A delightful conversationalist. Everybody, young and old, likes him. He served as town clerk 12, and as school clerk for 35 years, also many years as justice of the peace. His long term as school clerk must be ascribed to the fact that as a young man he taught school for nearly a score of years five years in his home school, the Taft; West Fork, Johnstown near Towerville, Barnum, Campbell Ridge, Coalburn. Crow Hollow, Sand Creek were some of the other schools. The pay was $25 to $30 a month, and the terms of school from three to five months. At Barnum they raised his wages $5 if he would consent to teach a month extra. The ages of his pupils ranged from 6 to 21. Coming here when the country was so new and undeveloped, the Taft brothers participated in its development and experienced all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life in the days when only oxen were used for farm work and transportation. They did their part and did it well, and that Crawford county has made such eminent and noteworthy progress must be ascribed to men like these. All honor to them, we say.