My Genealogy Hound

HORACE TABOR, in 1891 and 1892 Treasurer of Sodus Township, Berrien County, Mich., is a leading agriculturist and an energetic and enterprising citizen, taking an active interest in the growth and progress of the county in which he was born, December 8, 1848. The birthplace of our subject was Bainbridge Township, where, in the very early days in the history of the State, his father, Wallace Tabor, had located, and for many years cultivated the land of the well-known Tabor homestead. The paternal grandparents reared their family in the Empire State and were numbered among the prominent residents and agriculturists of Onondaga County, in which part of New York their son Wallace was born. An earnest and self-reliant youth, full of hope and courage, he journeyed to Michigan when only a mere boy, and was not eighteen years old when he received employment in Chicago, where he worked in a brickyard and assisted in manufacturing the brick for the first brick hotel erected in that city. He later made his permanent home in Michigan and was a leader among the sturdy pioneers of 1833, through whose earnest efforts the State has so rapidly advanced to a proud position among its sister States.

The mother of our subject, Julia (McKeyes) Tabor, was a woman of high worth and noble character, and was the daughter of Samuel and Harriet McKeyes, New England people and early settlers of Berrien County. The father and mother were married in Michigan, and here reared their family, of whom our subject, Horace, was the fourth in order of birth. When five years of age his parents removed to Sodus Township, where he attended the common school and obtained his primary education. He worked on the farm for his father from boyhood, and in the fall of 1869, shortly before attaining his majority, entered the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Mich., and enjoyed the benefit of instruction throughout the fall and winter terms of 1869, 1870 and 1871. After completing his studies, Mr. Tabor returned home and taught school for three terms in the immediate neighborhood, and also taught one term in Berrien Township. Between the terms of school he assisted upon the farm and passed a life of busy industry. In 1874 he bought forty acres of land, to which he has since added other tracts from time to time, industriously bringing the entire acreage up to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Tabor also owns in Pipestone Township one hundred and five acres.

One hundred and forty-five acres of the farm are most delightfully located, commanding a beautiful view, and are finely improved with substantial and attractive buildings, among the best in the county. February 18, 1879, Horace Tabor and Miss Maggie Morton were united in marriage. Mrs. Tabor was the daughter of Silas and Deborah Morton, natives of Canada, who made their home in Michigan in 1870. They were highly esteemed by all who knew them and passed to their rest mourned by many friends. Four children have been born unto our subject and his estimable wife. One died in infancy; Roscoe, Lydia and Walter survive and are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Tabor are both valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active in good work. Fraternally, our subject is connected with the National Providence Union. Politically, he is a Republican, and has held with able efficiency the offices of Town Clerk and Treasurer. Mr. and Mrs. Tabor are prominently associated in the social and religious enterprises of their locality, and enjoy the regard of a host of friends.