History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF DETROIT

1015

Tafft, who was long numbered among the representative farmers of Plymouth township, Wayne county, and who was a scion of one of the
prominent and honored pioneer families of this county,-that in which
the city of Detroit is situated. He was a child at the time the family
home was established in the forest wilds of Plymouth township, more
than a decade before the territory of Michigan had gained representation
as one of the sovereign commonwealths of the Union, and he here gained
his full quota of experience in connection with the labors, conditions
and influences which marked the early pioneer days, the while, like his
father before him, he contributed much to the development and upbuilding of the county that represented his home during practically the entire course of his useful life. Mr. Tafft was a man of exalted integrity,
fine mentality and utmost loyalty, and he marked the passing years
with large and worthy accomplishment along normal lines of productive
enterprise. He was one of the pioneers of the county at the time of his
death and his reminiscences touching the early days were most graphic
and interesting. He commanded high vantage ground in the confidence and respect of his fellow men, and now that he has passed away
it is most consistent that in this publication, which touches much of the
history of Wayne county, should be entered a tribute to his memory.
William Tafft was born at Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, in a
section that contributed a most valuable element to the early settlement
of southern Michigan, and the date of his nativity was September 26.
1821. He was a son of James and Marina (Thaver) Tafft, representatives of families founded in America in the colonial days, and he was a
child of four years at the time of his parents' immigration to the territory of Michigan,-about twelve years antecedent to the admission of the
state to the Union. James Tafft secured from the government a home.
stead claim of one hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land in
Plymouth township, Wayne county, about two miles west of the present
thriving village of Plymouth. He made a clearing in the woods and
there erected his primitive log house, for which not even doors or windows were supplied for some time, the openings being covered in the
meantime with blankets. He set himself valiantly to the herculean task
of reclaiming his land to cultivation, and with passing of the years a
due measure of success attended his arduous labors. He became one
of the staunch and influential citizens of Plymouth township, did well
his part in the development and upbuilding of the same and there both
he and his noble wife continued to reside until his death,-secure in
the high regard of all who knew them and worthy representatives of that
intelligent, industrious and God-fearing class of citizens who thus laid
broad and deep the foundations of the future superstructure 'of advanced civilization and opulent prosperity. The names and deeds of
such worthy pioneers well merit enduring place on the pages of Michigan
history.
The boyhood and youth of William Tafft were compassed by the
scenes, influences and labors incidental to the pioneer epoch, and he soon
gained distinct fellowship with earnest toil and endeavor, the while he
found his educational advantages limited to the primitive schools of the
locality and period. His ambition for higher educational opportunities
were not, however, denied, as he was finally enabled to attend a well conducted academic institution in the city of Jackson, which was then a
mere village. That he made good use of the advantages thus gained is
assured by the fact that he proved himself eligible for pedagogic honors,
and for several terms he was a successful and popular teacher in the
schools of the village of Plymouth.