Vernon N. Taggett
February 1, 1887-November 10, 1960
The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 11, 1960, page 2 col. 4
Vernon N. Taggett, 73, 502 N. 13th, chief engineer for the Berrien County road Commission and former Niles City engineer, died unexpectedly at 7:20 p.m. Thursday. He was stricken ill at his home and was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital.
A graduate civil engineer from the Michigan State University in 1910, his long career in the field of engineering took him in the early years into the railroad work with the Baltimore and Ohio and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroads. From that phase of his career, he went into hydrographic work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He served as the first superintendent of highways of Whiteside County, Ill., and later as the county highway engineer in Emmet County, Mich.
In 1921, Mr. Taggett came to Niles as city engineer and held that post until 1950. After two years as consulting engineer for Boyd E. Philips Co., Michigan City, Ind., he was appointed chief engineer for Berrien County, a position he filled until the time of his death.
He was a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Prominent in both civic and church affairs, he served as an elder in the First Presbyterian Church and for many years was the Sunday school superintendent. He was a former member and past president of the Rotary Club, past commander of Knights Templar of Niles, a member of the Royal Arch Masons of Niles, past master of the Blue Lodge of Morrison, Ill., and a member of the order of Eastern Star in this city.
Born Feb. 1, 1887, in Caro, Mr. Taggett came to Niles from Petoskey. He was married on June 14, 1913, in Chicago to Esther M. Karnopp, who survives. Also surviving are: a daughter, Mrs. Paul Raker, Flint; a son, Paul Taggett, North Syracuse, N.Y.; five grandchildren, and a brother, Castle Taggett, in Cass City.
Memorial Services will be held at 4 p.m Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church with the pastor, the Rev. John P. MacLachlan, officiating. Burial will be in the mausoleum at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends are being received at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home here.