Moses Taft - Early Life and Career

Early Life and Career

Moses Taft, 2nd, was a 19th century figure from Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Moses Taft's father, Luke Taft, was an early woolen mill pioneer in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The Blackstone River Valley is the earliest industrialized region in the United States. Moses Taft was born in Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, January 16, 1812. He attended local district schools, the Uxbridge Academy, and the Friends school in Bolton, taught by Thomas Fry. His training path prepared him for the manufacture of “satinets”. He consistently pursued manufacturing, both independently, and with Samuel W. Scott, in Burrillville, Rhode Island. Next he worked with James W. Day, as Taft, Day & Company, and later after Mr. Day left, the firm became known as Taft & Capron. His other manufacturing interests were in Caryville, Northborough, and Southborough, Massachusetts and at Proctor, Vermont. Mr. Taft was president of the Blackstone bank, and the Uxbridge Savings Bank. Taft represented Uxbridge in the Massachusetts state legislature in 1847, and was frequently called to serve on the Board of Selectmen. He was a member and officer of the First Congregational Society of Uxbridge, and of the Uxbridge Lodge of International Order of Odd-fellows. He was widely known as a successful manufacturer and financier, and was closely allied to the prosperity of this town."