Rev. Dr. John Leonard Tait, PhD
1868 - 1962 (93 years)
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Name John Leonard Tait [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] Title Rev. Dr. Suffix PhD Born 22 May 1868 Elora, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada 
[1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 15] Gender Male Arrival 1885 [10] 16 Age: 16 Arrival 1886 [16] Arrival 1889 20 Age: 20 Residence 1889 Tacoma, Washington, USA [12] Residence 1890 Tacoma, Washington, USA [12] Residence 1891 Tacoma, Washington, USA [12] Residence 1892 Tacoma, Washington, USA [13] Residence 1895 Tacoma, Washington, USA [13] Residence 1897 Tacoma, Washington, USA [13] Residence 1900 Chicago Ward 18, Cook, Illinois, USA [10] Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head: Head Arrival 22 Dec 1917 Liverpool, England [7] 49 Age: 49; Ship: Pannonia; ShippingLine: Cunard Steamship Company Ltd Departure New York, New York, USA [7] Race White [5] Name John L Tait [6] Naturalization Citizenship: Naturalized [5] Residence Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA [9] Residence Le Mans France [17] Residence 1920 Columbus Ward 16, Franklin, Ohio, USA StreetAddress: Summit Street; 51 Age: 51; Minister Occupation: Minister; AbleToSpeakEnglish: Yes; CanRead: Yes; CanWrite: Yes; EnumerationDistrict: 267; HomeOwnership: Rented; Industry: Church; IsEmployed: Own Account; LanguageSpoken: English; NaturalizationStatus: Naturalized; Married MaritalStatus: Married; Head RelationToHead: Head Residence 1929 Columbus, Ohio, USA [6] StreetAddress: 240 N Ardmore rd Bex Residence 1930 Marion, Marion, Franklin, Ohio, USA [16] Residence 1935 Columbus, Franklin, Ohio [5] Residence 1940 , Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA [5] StreetAddress: N High Street; 68 Age: 68; Retired Occupation: Retired; AttendedSchool: No; CityWard: 16; EmploymentCode: 7; EmploymentDetails: Unable to Work; EmploymentHistory: No; EnumerationDistrict: 93-249; GradeCompleted: College, 5th or subsequent year; Income: 0; IncomeOtherSources: Yes; IsEmployed: No; PublicEmergencyWork: No; SeekingWork: No; WeeksWorked: 0; Widowed MaritalStatus: Widowed; Lodger RelationToHead: Lodger Died 1962 Kansas, USA [1] Buried Salina, Saline County, Kansas, United States of America [1] Person ID I19097 Brown Genealogy Last Modified 22 Aug 2024
Father Prof. John W. Tait, b. 1841, Cumberland England , d. 12 Dec 1893, Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, USA (Age 52 years) Relationship natural Mother Jane C Brown, b. 29 Aug 1835, Caledon, Peel, Ontario, Canada , d. 11 Nov 1915, Cook County, Cook County, Illinois, USA (Age 80 years) Relationship natural Married 28 Jul 1865 Garafraxa Township, Wellington, Ontario, Canada [18, 19] Family ID F4915 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family Emma Elizabeth Petch, b. 2 Mar 1868, Duntroon, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada , d. 8 Dec 1935, St Clair Shores, Macomb, Michigan, USA (Age 67 years) Married 15 Mar 1893 King County, Washington, USA [10, 20, 21] Children 1. Cpl. Dr. John William Tait, PhD, b. 3 Oct 1894, Elgin, Pierce County, Washington, USA , d. 26 Oct 1961, Orangeburg, Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA (Age 67 years) [natural]2. Pvt. Leonard Gordon Tait, b. 1 Oct 1898, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA , d. UNKNOWN [natural]Last Modified 22 Aug 2024 Family ID F7153 Group Sheet | Family Chart
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Notes - John Leonard Tait was born in 1867 in the picturesque village of Elora, Wellington, Ontario, Canada as the eldest son of John W Tait and Jane Brown. He initially worked as an English teacher at the Tacoma Business Colledge, founded by his father. He later succeed his father as principal of the college, then became the county superintentant of education, then moved to Chicago to teach business, then became a Christian minister serving in the Presbyterian Church USA in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He took time away from church during WWI to work as a secretary for the YMCA overseas in England and France running educational and fitness programs for soldiers and prisoners. Somewhere along the way he earned a doctoral degree.
In 1871, at age 4, John L Tait was residing in Elora, Wellington, Ontario, Canada with his parents and young sister. They were Presbyterians.
In Dec 1885, at age 17, John L Tait immigrated to the USA with his parents and sister.
John's father was the founder and principal of the Tacoma Business College. John taught there along with his wife and sister. It's not known if he met his wife after she began teaching at the college or if she became a teacher at the college after she married John.
In 1889, 1890, 1891, John L Tait was listed in the Tacoma Directory as a teacher of English and modern languages at the Tacoma Business College.
On 10 Feb 1890, John L Tait petitioned for naturalization as an American citizen in Pierce County, Washington State, USA. The very next entry petitioning on the same day is his uncle David Tait. Three days later on 13 Feb 1890, his father petitioned.
In 1892, John L Tait was listed in the Tacoma Directory as a teacher of English and French at the Tacoma Business College. His sister Bessie was listed as a teacher of shorthand. His father John W Tait is listed as professor and principal of the college.
In the 1892 Washington State Territorial Census, John was residing in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, USA with his parents and sisters. All members of the family were employed as teachers except Maude who was a student.
In 1893, John L Tait married Emma Petch, a fellow Canadian who immigrated in 1889.
Eight months after the wedding, John's father died in December 1893. John L Tait then took succeeded his father as principal of the college.
In 1894, John and his wife Emma had their first son John William Tait in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, USA.
In 1895, John L Tait, his mother, wife and sister are all listed in the Tacoma Directory:
John L Tait, principal, Tacoma Business School.
Jane C Tait, widow of John W, residing at Tacoma Business College
Mirs J L Tait, teacher of elocution and oratory, Tacoma Business College, residing at same.
Miss Bessie J Tait, teacher of shorthand and typewriting, Tacoma Business College, residing at same.
Maude Tait, student at Tacoma Business College, bording at 903-1/2 S Tacoma Ave (the address where John W Tait died.)
In 1897, John L Tait is listed as the county school superintendant. His sister, Bessie is listed as the principal of the Tacoma Business College. His mother is listed as a widow of John W Tait. And Maude O (Ord?) Tait is listed as an assistant in the English Department at the college.
In 1898, they had their second son, Leonard Gordon Tait in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, USA.
An 1899 advertisement for the college lists W. R. Shoemake and W. H. Stapelton as principals, suggesting that John L Tait had moved to Chicago by that time.
In 1900, at age 33, Prof. John L Tait was residing in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA with his wife and two sons, employed as a Bus. College Professor. His widowed mother and two sisters lived next door.
Sometime between 1900 and 1910 John was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA.
In 1910, Rev. John L Tait was residing on Bealle Ave in Wooster, Wayne, Ohio, USA, employed as a minister/pastor. He is residing with his wife and sons, John and Leonard. His religion is not recorded. He gives his parents' birth places as both being Scotland.
In an issue of "The Continent" (a publication of the Presbyterian Church USA), dated 8 Aug 1912, Rev. John L Tait is mentioned as having recently given an address to students at Wooster University (founded by First Presbyterian Church, Wooster). He is also mentioned has having supplied the church at Piqua on Aug 4 and being presently in Toronto, Canada. The topic of church union is widely focussed on in the publication. The topic of union was being widely discussed in the Presbyterian Church in Canada at the same time. This may have been the purpose of John's visit to Toronto.
On 10 Apr 1913, Rev. John L. Tait of Columbus gave the opening prayer in the Ohio State Senate Chamber.
During WWI, John worked for the YMCA in England and France.
In his USA passport application, dated 24 June 1918, he gives his permanent address as Columbus, Ohio, but was presently residing in and working in England and having recently been working in France. His occupation was "Secretary YMCA" and his work in England and France was listed as "YMCA work." He gives his birth as 22 May 1868 in Elora, Ontario, Canada and that he immigrated to the USA in December 1885 and that he resided in the USA from 1885 to 1917 (lastly) in Chicago. He was naturalized on 24 Aug 1896 in King County, Washington State, USA (near Tacoma, where his sons were born in 1894 and 1898).
"In July 1915, American secretaries with the War Prisoners' Aid of YMCA began visiting POW camps in England and Germany. YMCA secretaries worked to create camp committees to run programs providing educational opportunities, physical instruction, and equipment, theatrical productions and musicals. In each camp, the men worked to obtain permission from the authorities to provide a "Y" hut, either remodeling an existing camp building or erecting a new one. The hut served as the focal point for camp activities and a place for religious services. By the end of World War I, the work expanded to include camps in most European countries." (Wikipedia, YMCA)
In 1920, Rev. John L Tait was residing on Summit Street in Columbus Ward, Franklin, Ohio, USA, employed as a church minister. He was residing with his wife and adult sons, John and Leonard.
In The First Presbyterian Church, Alliance, Ohio: the first one hundred years, 1854-1954, the following entry is found: "Dr. John L. Tait (1921-1927). Dr. John L. Tait came to the Alliance Church in 1921 after working with the YMCA in connection with the Armed Forces in England and France. While in the city, Dr. Tait was active in the Masonic Order, American Legion and the Rotary Club. From 1910 to 1920 the city practically doubled in population because of the fact that Alliance was in vital war industry. It was evident that church expansion was soon to be a necessity. The decision was made in 1923 to remain a "downtown" church and to purchase the Teeters property on the East. It was thought a connecting hallway and a few alterations would accomodate some of the Church's activities. The property was purchased for $19,500 with an additional $5000 for reparirs. The vision for the future was to erect a new building in keeping with the main edifice. Dr. Tait resigned in the spring of 1927 to accet a call to a new Presbyterian Church in Bexley Park, Columbus [Ohio, USA]." (p28)
In 1930, Rev. John L Tait, age 61, was residing on North Ardmore Road in Marion, Franklin, Ohio, USA, employed as a religious minister. He was living with his wife and adult son John W Tait.
In 1940, at age 68 (sic), Rev. John L Tait was residing on N High Street in Coumbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA. His occupation is listed as "retired minister" and indicates that he had five or more years of college education. He was widowed and lodging with an unrelated family.
John was a minister, but which church is uncertain. In 1918, his son Leonard G Tait is listed in a US Army Transport Service document of arriving and departing passengers as a private first class and as son of Rev. John L. Tait. His home address is given as the Kingsley Hotel on Hart Street in London, England.
Rev. John L Tait died in 1962 and is buried in Salina, Kansas, USA, where his son, Prof. John W Tait, PhD, lived.
- John Leonard Tait was born in 1867 in the picturesque village of Elora, Wellington, Ontario, Canada as the eldest son of John W Tait and Jane Brown. He initially worked as an English teacher at the Tacoma Business Colledge, founded by his father. He later succeed his father as principal of the college, then became the county superintentant of education, then moved to Chicago to teach business, then became a Christian minister serving in the Presbyterian Church USA in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He took time away from church during WWI to work as a secretary for the YMCA overseas in England and France running educational and fitness programs for soldiers and prisoners. Somewhere along the way he earned a doctoral degree.
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Sources - [S222] U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;).
Record for Rev John Leonard Tait
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60525&h=71398498&indiv=try - [S89] 1871 Census of Canada, Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2009;), Database online.
Record for John L Tait - [S278] Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Immigration Cards, 1900-1965, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2016;).
Record for John Leonard Tait
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=9800&h=2616241&indiv=try - [S279] Washington, U.S., Birth Records, 1870-1935, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;), Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Births, 1891-1919; Film Info: Various county birth registers. Microfilm.
Record for John Leonard Tait
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1209&h=1132883&indiv=try - [S216] 1940 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), Year: 1940; Census Place: Columbus, Franklin, Ohio; Roll: m-t0627-03248; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 93-249.
Record for John L Tait
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=2442&h=38391840&indiv=try - [S280] U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;).
Record for Rev John L Tait
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=2469&h=298285811&indiv=try - [S275] UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2008;), The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists.; Class: BT26; Piece: 639.
Record for John Leonard Tait
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1518&h=29031762&indiv=try - [S312] U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2016;), The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 526.
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