STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1901

MARY (TAYLOR) TASKER, 16 Apr 1819 - 26 Mar 1901

   Mary Taylor was born in Lancashire, England, April 16, 1819; died 
at her home in Scott township, Steuben county, Indiana, March 26, 
1901, aged 81 years, 11 months and 10 days.
   She was united in marriage to William W. Tasker, Jan. 1, 1884 
(more likely 1834 as her son, Thomas, was born 09 Mar 1844 and her 
husband died in 1876), and this union was blessed with four 
children, one dying in infancy and two others, Thomas and Maria, 
both dying at the age of 49 years.  Only one daughter survives her, 
together with eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchilren.  
Mrs. Tasker was the last survivor of a family of eight children of 
which she was the eldest.  Mr. and Mrs. Tasker lived in England 
until the spring of 1850, when Mr. Tasker came to Steuben county 
where he selected a home in Scott township, Mrs. Tasker and children 
coming two years later and settled on the farm where they lived 
until his death, which occurred March 18, 1876, since which time she 
lived on the farm occupied by her at the time of her death.  Mr. 
Tasker never enjoyed good health after coming to America, and the 
cares of the family, together with all the hardships of pioneer life 
were thrown largely upon her, a hard task to perform, but she 
struggled on with a courage that has rarely been equaled, overcoming 
all difficulties and has fought life's battles alone for a quarter 
of a century.  She was very kind to the poor and needy, and people 
in distress never called on her in vain for help.  In 1879 she gave 
her heart to the Lord and her hand to the Evangelical church, since 
which time she has lived a christian, ready to testify and give good 
advice.  It can be said of her that she did what she could to make 
life worth living and closed her life with the assurance that her 
work was done, and well done.  The funeral occurred from her late 
home on Friday, March 29, Rev. C. S. Brown, minister officiating.  
The large concourse of people that attended the funeral testify to 
the high esteem in which she was held.  Her remains were tenderly 
laid away by loving friends in the Jordan cemetery.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

   Mary (Taylor) Tasker, 16 Apr 1819 - 26 Mar 1901, married William W. 
Tasker, 1821 - 18 Mar 1876.  
   Son:  Thomas Tasker, 09 Mar 1844- 21 Sep 1893,born and died in England.
   Daughter:  Mary Ann (Tasker) Johnson, 10 Oct 1845 - 21 Aug 1924, married 
on 05 Jul 1866 to Henry E. Johnson, 09 Dec 1841 - 11 Mar 1916.

"Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990" by Audree Siebel Lewis, Vol. 
I, pages 985, 989; Vol. II, pages 1797, 1798.
"History of Steuben County, IN - 1885", pages 645, 646, biography of 
brother-in-law, Thomas Tasker.

Submitted by:  Mona Hilden-Beckwith
e-mail:  hilbeck123@att.net