Charles Taber (1822 - abt. 1887)

Born 22 Apr 1822 in New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Jane (Howland) Taber — married 31 Mar 1853 in New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

Descendants

Died about 17 Nov 1887 at about age 65 in New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

Charles Taber was born about 1822. He passed away in New Bedford on the 17th of November, 1887, in the sixty sixth year of his age, was the pioneer founder of the industry of art manufacturing in this country. He was educated at the Friends' School in Providence, R. I., and was graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania when about eighteen, after winning a flattering record for ability and scholarship. His father, William C. Taber, became, early in life, a partner of Abraham Sherman, jr., in the book business in New Bedford, and after the dissolution of the firm in 1835 he continued in trade alone until 1843. when Charles Taber, having in that year reached his majority, was admitted. About 1849, the father having retired, Charles and his brother Augustus formed the firm of Charles Taber & Co. Augustus finally withdrew, and Charles took in as partner Abraham Taber and Asa C. Pierce, and still later, William C. Taber, jr. In 1862 the brothers, Abraham and William C. Taher, Jr., took the two book and stationery stores then conducted by the firm, and Charles Taber, with Asa C. Pierce, started as manufacuring photographers at No. 6 North Water street. In 1871 Mr. Taber assumed the sole management and so continued 'until 1881, when he admitted his brother, William C. Taber, jr., and his sons, Charles M and Frederic, as partners. In 1893 the Taber Art Company was incorporated with William C. Taber, president; W. C. Freeman, vice president; H. G. Stratton, treasurer; Charles M. Taber, clerk; William C. Taber, E. L. Freeman, H. G. Stratton, W. C. Freeman, C. D. Burrage and Frederic Taber, directors. In 1897 the firm was merged into the Taber Prang Art Company. The art business of the firm commenced with the manufacture of ambryotypes, or photographs on glass, the first one ever put on the market being a reproduction of the face of Elizabeth Fry, the English philanthropist. This branch led to the importation and later the manufacture of passepartouts, then to frames, later to photographs and finally to artotype engravings and etchings, which received for them a world wide reputation. Mr. Taber was by birthright a Friend, always a prominent worker in their meetings, and an active unobtrusive, benevolent citizen. By industry and perseverance he built up one of the most successful establishments in this country, and won a national reputation through the large variety of goods he manufactured.

Sources

From: Our county and its people A descriptive and biographical history of Bristol County, Massachusetts Prepaired and published under the auspices of The Fall River News and The Taunton Gasette With assistance of Hon. Alanson Borden The Boston History Company, Publishers, 1899.

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120670859/charles-taber : accessed 25 October 2021), memorial page for Charles Taber (21 Apr 1822–17 Nov 1887), Find a Grave Memorial ID 120670859, citing Friends Burying Ground, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by Linking Ancestors (contributor 47231875) .