Thomas Taggart
| Thomas Taggart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Indiana | |
| In office March 20, 1916 – November 7, 1916 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin F. Shiveley |
| Succeeded by | James Eli Watson |
| 18th Mayor of Indianapolis | |
| In office January 1, 1895 – December 31, 1901 | |
| Preceded by | Caleb S. Denny |
| Succeeded by | Charles A. Bookwalter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 17, 1856 County Monaghan, Ireland |
| Died | March 6, 1929 (aged 72) Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Eva Bryant Taggart |
Thomas Taggart (November 17, 1856 – March 6, 1929) was a U.S. political figure, serving as mayor of Indianapolis and influential in state and national politics.[1]
Early life and family
Born in County Monaghan, Ireland, Taggart immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1861. The family settled in Xenia, Ohio, where young Taggart got a job working the lunch counter at the railroad depot. At age 18, he was sent by his employer to manage the depot restaurant and hotel in Garrett, Indiana, where he met his future wife Eva Bryant. They married in 1878.
Taggart moved to Indianapolis in 1877 to run the restaurant at Union Depot.
Political career
Taggart became active in local politics in Indianapolis. He served as auditor of Marion County from 1886 to 1894. In 1895 he was elected mayor of Indianapolis, and served until 1901. He founded the city's park system during his tenure.
He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1904 until 1908. Taggart played a key role in ensuring the nomination of Thomas Riley Marshall as the Democratic nominee for Indiana Governor in 1908, and again in securing the Vice Presidential nomination for Marshall in 1912 at the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore.
On March 20, 1916, Taggart was appointed by Governor Samuel M. Ralston to the United States Senate seat left vacant by the death of Senator Benjamin F. Shively, but he was defeated for the seat in the November election.
In the 1924 gubernatorial campaign Taggart urged front-runner Carleton B. McCulloch to take an anti-Ku Klux Klan position.[2] McCulloch's anti Klan position contributed to his losing the election to Klan member Edward L. Jackson who enjoyed strong Klan support.
Taggart remained active in national and state politics until his death in Indianapolis in 1929. He is remembered as the mayor who began the Indianapolis parks system.
Taggart was famous for his ownership, with Terre Haute industrialist Crawford Fairbanks, of the French Lick Springs Hotel in Orange County, Indiana. They developed it into a popular resort based on its mineral springs. Taggart was reputed to have an interest in the illegal gambling operations that also contributed to the resort's popularity.
Taggart was buried in Indianapolis in Crown Hill Cemetery.
References
- ↑ Haupt, Richard Walter: "Thomas Taggart" History of the French Lick Springs Hotel, Chapter 4
- ↑ Boise State University at the Wayback Machine (archived September 30, 2007)
Additional reading
- James Philip Fadley, Thomas Taggart: Public Servant, Political Boss, Indianapolis:Indiana State Historical Society, 1997. ISBN 0-87195-115-0
- Bennett, David J., "He Almost Changed the World: The Life and Times of Thomas Riley Marshall", Authorhouse: Bloomington, Indiana, January, 2007, ISBN 978-1-4259-6562-4
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Caleb S. Denny |
Mayor of Indianapolis 1895–1901 |
Succeeded by Charles A. Bookwalter |
| United States Senate | ||
| Preceded by Benjamin F. Shively |
United States Senator (Class 3) from Indiana 1916 |
Succeeded by James Eli Watson |
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