Let’s Not Forget Ex-Bailie George Taggart, who died in Vancouver, Canada, in May 1917

An obituary on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 28th of May, 1917, reads:

 

“EX-BAILIE TAGGART

GLASGOW MUSICIAN’S DEATH IN VANCOUVER

 

A cablegram from Vancouver, British Columbia, announces the death of a former prominent

citizen of Glasgow in the person of ex-Bailie George Taggart {formerly of 11 Onslow Drive,

Dennistoun}, which took place at 1129 Barclay Street, Vancouver, on May 24. Mr Taggart, who

was born 66 years ago in Jersey City, U.S.A., spent his early years in the North of Ireland. He

came to Glasgow late in the sixties, and several years afterwards he became head of the firm of

Messrs George Taggart and Co., North British Wholesale Cabinet and Upholstery Works,

Bridgeton. In 1897 Mr Taggart entered Glasgow Town Council as a member for the Dennistoun

Ward, which he continued to represent until 1906, when he retired. In the latter years of his

municipal service he was for the usual period a Magistrate of the city. Mr Taggart was probably

best known to the citizens generally by his devotion to music. The leisure which he allowed

himself from business was mainly given to that art. His musical career was begun in St John’s

Episcopal Church under Dr A. L. Peace. Mr Taggart was a member, and for a number of years

president, of the Glasgow Choral Union. He was the originator in Glasgow of a male voice choir,

for six years he was conductor of the Choral Union in Bridgeton, for more than a quarter of a

century he was choirmaster of John Street United Free Church (in which he gave many notable

musical evenings), and for a time he was conductor of the Glee and Catch Club. In 1910 Mr

Taggart was appointed conductor of Glasgow Select Choir in succession to Dr Davidson Arnott,

and in the autumn of that year he accompanied the choir as its conductor on a tour in Canada.

During his membership of the Town Council he acted as convenor of the Music in the Parks

Sub-Committee, and held a similar position in the Entertainments Committee of the East End

Exhibition. On leaving for Vancouver in 1912 Mr Taggart was presented with a substantial

testimonial subscribed by the various musical organisations with which he had been associated.

In Vancouver he devoted himself entirely to his favourite art, and at the time of his death he had

secured a leading place in the musical life of the city. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and

four daughters. His younger son is on service with the Canadian contingent in France. Of his

daughters one is Miss Jenny Taggart, the well-known vocalist, and another, Miss Rana, made a

successful debut in Glasgow as a violinist and singer.”

 

The notice of his death is on the front page of this issue of the Herald.

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, April 2022.