The Tucker Families of Lee County, Iowa

CHARLES CLINTON TUCKER.

Charles Clinton Tucker, a member of one of the older families of Lee county and at the present time assessor of Green Bay township, is well known to a large circle of friends and acquaintances who will be interested in a sketch of his life and family history. Mr. Tucker was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, September 6, 1852. the son of John W. and Sarah (Spicknall) Tucker, and removed with his parents to Green Bay township, this county, in his early childhood. There the father entered as a "homestead" one-half section of land, which is still in the possession of the family. Both parents are now deceased, and are interred in the Beebe cemetery. Active and consistent memljers of the Methodist Episcopal church, identified A\itli the progressive interests of the community in which they lived, becoming large landholders and very well-to-do in a pecuniary way, they enjoyed the general respect and esteem, and the record of their characters is a precious heritage to be handed down to succeeding generations in loving remembrance and veneration. They were the parents of eight children.

Mr. Tucker, the subject of this sketch, received his initial knowledge of books, and indeed his entire formal education, in the public schools of his township, but this training he has added to by a life of reading and observation, and by his lively interest in public questions has become well versed in current topics. Until 1876, the year in which he attained his majority, he assisted in the work of his father's farm, thus receiving a practical training which has since proved valuable as the basis of later successes. In 1876 he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Hyter, a native of Green Bay township, and they have four children, as follows: George, a farmer, who married Miss Blanche Puckter and has two children, John and Vida; Fred O., who married Miss Maude Liddle and has two children, Frank and Clinton; Samuel, who married Miss Liddia Lange and has one child, Lloyd; and Vida, who is the wife of Harry Peel.

Mr. Tucker is the proprietor of 430 acres of fertile and productive lands, among the best in this section of the state,- upon which he has placed many modern improvements. large and handsome dwelling and well-kept grounds attest the progressive spirit of the owner. Here Mr. Tucker conducts general farming, and also makes a specialty of the breeding of stock. His present prosperity is the result of his own efforts, he being one of that valuable class of citizens who are entitled to the name of self-made men. He attends and supports the Christian church, of which Mrs. Tucker is a member, and fraternally he holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at W'ever, of which lodge he is Past Grand, and in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Fort Madison. His political faith is that of the Democracy, whose principles he believes best calculated to secure the greatest good to the greatest number, and of whose chosen leaders he has ever been a loyal and able supporter. He has served his party as delegate to all conventiojis of importance for a long tenn of years, and in 1900 he was chosen by public suffrage to the office of assessor of Green Bay township, a testimony to his ability, popularity and ])arty services. This position he still holds.

IMr. Tucker is a man of rare foresight and discernment in affairs of business, and his social qualities have made him many friends who regard him as a man of sound judgment and one who is disposed to deal justly in all relations of life. He is a worthy representative of a family who did much toward the upbuilding of Lee county in pioneer days.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE W. TUCKER.

One who for many years has been identified very prominently with the agricultural interests and the public life of Lee county is George W. Tucker, the subject of this review. lie was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, June 13, 1855, and is the son of John W. and Sarah (Spicknell) Tucker, who were married at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and came to Lee county in 1857, purchasing land in Green Bay township, where they continued to reside until the father's death, June 29, 1893. Sarah Tucker survived her husband a number of years, her demise occurring in March, 1903.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

George W. Tucker received a good common-school education, but in order to further prepare himself for the successful business career which has since been his, he entered Pearson's Business College, at Fort Madison, and pursued a course of commercial study. In 1876 he began farming, believing that in this field of endeavor He rich rewards for those who conduct their efforts with energy, care and the scientific application of business principles. His expectations have been fully justified, in his own case, at least, by the event, as his vigorous prosecution of the enterprise has brought him much material prosperity.

Mr. Tucker is well known and liked throughout Lee county, and this popularity caused him, in 1897, to be elected to the office of sheriff, in which he continued successfully for four years. He also acted as deputy sheriff for a period of two years, and has held most of the offices of his township. On his election he removed to Fort Madison, where he has since resided, having purchased a home at 411 Second street. He still retains, however, his agricultural interests in Green Bay township, where he owns 500 acres of land, which he rents. In addition he holds title to some valuable property in the City of Fort Madison.

At Burlington, Iowa, June 13, 1876, Mr. Tucker was united in marriage with Miss Clara Miner, a lady of German extraction, who was born May 12, 1855, in Des Moines county, this state. Unto them have been born six children, as follows: Etta ]May, wife of Herman Lange. of Green Bay township: Charles C, of Fort Madison, who married Miss Elsie Badley; Susie, wife of Charles S. Tucker, an engineer, of Blackwell, Oklahoma: John W., of Fort Madison, who married Miss Josephine Schlemer: Nathan J., and Frankie Kate. John W. and Charles C. are engaged in the hardware and implement business in this city, and are meeting with gratifying success.

Mr. Tucker is now living retired from active business life enjoying the well-earned fruits of his labors. He still maintains, however, active connection with the various social and fraternal bodies in which he holds membership, and is a valued factor in their affairs. These are: The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Forresters. In politics he has always given hearty and loyal support to the Democratic party, believing that its principles are best calculated to secure the general welfare in harmony with the spirit of American institutions. Personally he is of a genial and generous disposition, and these characteristics, together with his uprightness and justice in all his dealings, have made for him many friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES C. TUCKER.

One of the Wounger Ijusiness men of Fort madison who is achieving a position of prominence is Charles C. Tucker, who is a ilealer in farm imi)elements. hardware and Aehicles. Mr. Tucker is the son of George W. Tucker, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this Wolume. and was born on a farm in Green Bay township. Lee county, October 22, 1874. After completing his education in the public schools he assisted in the work of his father's farm until his marriage, when he rented land, and conducted farming operations independently until 1900. when he removed to Burlington. There he, in association, engaged in the sale of buggies and agricultural implements iov a period of two years, at the end of whicii lime he located in Fort Madison, establishing himself in the enterprise which he still conducts.

December 2, 1895, Mr. Tucker was united in marriage with Miss Elsie Badley. Mrs. Tucker was born in Green Piay township. May 10, 1874, and is the daughter of Uriah Badley, now a resident of Burlington. Her mother is deceased.

Mr. Tucker's political affiliation has always been with the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Thoroughly imbued with the spirit of modern enterprise and progress, and endowed with the talent for making and holding friends, his pathway to success seems clear and assured.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN W. TUCKER.

Although but a recent addition to the business and commercial forces of Fort Madison, John W, Tucker is moving himself a factor to be reckoned with in forecasting the future prosperity of the city. Mr. Tucker was lion in Green Bay township, [,ec county, (Vtober _m. 1878, the son of George W. Tucker, of this city. He was educated in the common schools of his township, and also attended Johnson's Business College, at Fort Madison. During the incumbency of his father, George \ Tucker, as sheriff of Lee county, John. Tucker served two years as turkey and two years as deputy sheriff, and later served a further two years as deputy sheriff under Sheriff John AI. Kenney.

In 1904 he, with his brother, Charles C. Tucker, purchased a half interest in a vehicle and implement business which had been established in Fort Aladison the previous year, and in this connection he still continues. The style of the firm is now Tucker Brothers.

On October 10, 1900, Mr. Tucker was united in marriage with Miss Josephine E. Schlemer. and they have their home at No. 205 Second street. Mrs. Tucker is a native of Fort Madison, the date of her birth being April 5, 1882, and is the daughter of Henrv and Mary (Kern) Schlemer. The mother died November 22, 1902, and is buried in Fort Madison. Henn* Schlemer, father of Mrs. Tucker, is an attorney of this city. Three sisters, Elizabeth, Minnie and Carolyn, remain at linie.

Mr. Tucker is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he lias occupied offices of honor, having passed all of its chairs, and is in his political views and associations, a Democrat. He is a young man of promise, and is rapidly acquiring that reputation which rewards energy, integrity and alertness to the demands of the times.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SAMUEL WOOD TUCKER.

Samuel Wood Tucker, a son of Thomas and Ann S. (Sykes) Tucker, was one of the early business men of Keokuk, being connected with a wholesale and retail hardware concern at a time when there were no railroads into the city. Although the iron horse was as yet unknown here, Keokuk was one of the most thriving municipalities of the then new west and promised to develop into a great commercial center.

Our subject was born September 21, 1819, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and there received a liberal education. As a young man he went to St. Louis, where he was employed as a clerk in a hardware store. He was engaged in collecting for his firm when he made his first visit to Keokuk in the early '40s. He remembered his favorable impression of the thriving little town and in 1847 he located permanently in Keokuk and with his brother embarked in the wholesale and retail hardware business, their establishment being located at the corner of Second and Main streets. As before stated there were no railroads and journeys inland were made on horseback as far west as Des Moines, which was then little more than a frontier village. From the time of his coming Mr. Tucker became an integral part of the growth and development of Keokuk, then one of the commercial centers of this section of the country. The firm of S. W. & H. Tucker became widely known throughout the country and the name was a synonym for probity and upright dealing. Our subject continued in the business after his brother's retirement from the firm and during his later years was also employed in an official capacity by the Iowa State Insurance Company.

While in St. Louis, in 1848, Samuel W. Tucker was united in marriage to Miss Jula De Lange, by whom he had five sons, as follows: William Penn, De Lange, George Sykes, Harrison and Walter Sumner. All of these have passed away save George Sykes.

Mr. Tucker was one of the twelve founders of the local Unitarian church and remained one of its stanch supporters to the day of his death. He was a republican in politics and an outspoken advocate of the protection of American industries against the poorly paid labor of Europe which the free trade policy would admit to open competition with the American workman. He was of Quaker parentage and inherited the virtues of his forbears. He was noted for his honesty, industry and public spirit. He passed away March 22, 1905, in Keokuk, and his death was mourned by his fellow citizens, as he was one of those who helped lay the foundation upon which the prosperity and advancement of the present generation is builded. He could relate many interesting reminiscences of the early days of the city and manifested in all of life's relations that courage and firmness of resolution which gave to the pioneer strength for his arduous labors.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE S. TUCKER.

George S. Tucker, the only living son of Samuel Wood Tucker, was born in Keokuk on the 28th of January, 1856, and at the age of twelve went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was educated and grew to manhood. After clerking in stores for a number of years he went to what is now North Dakota and engaged in ranching. For a part of the time he was in the employ of Theodore Roosevelt, receiving thirty dollars per month for his services. After this experience he returned to Keokuk and embarked in the ice business, to which general contracting has since been added. He is a member of the firm of McManus & Tucker and in addition to the two lines of business already named he is identified with numerous other enterprises of a local character.

Mr. Tucker married Miss Sophie E. Roche, of Warsaw, Illinois, and to them three children have been born, namely: Beatrice Thelma, Georgia Wood and Julia Anna. He was reared a republican and still gives his political allegiance to that party. For several years he served as a member of the city council, doing all in his power to secure an efficient municipal government. He is quite prominent fraternally, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons. He is a Knight Templar in the York Rite, has taken the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, and is also a member of the Shrine. He is popular socially and is known as a man of unimpeachable integrity and of kindliness of spirit.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE COLLINGWOOD TUCKER.

George Collingwood Tucker, secretary of the Iowa State Insurance Company, is a native of Keokuk, his birth occurring in the house which is still his place of residence. His parents were Howard and Mary Collingwood (Dixon) Tucker, who were numbered among the pioneers of Lee county. The father was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 1828, a son of Thomas and Ann (Sykes) Tucker. The family is of English extraction.

Howard Tucker was reared and educated in Cincinnati, but came to Keokuk in 185 1 as a young man of about twenty-three years. He became connected with a wholesale importing hardware store and so continued until he was elected director in the Iowa State Insurance Company in 1858. On the 7th of January, 1865, he was elected secretary of the company. In October, 1906, he retired from active business cares and passed the remainder of his life in well merited leisure. His death occurred on the ist of August, 1909. He was a member of the Episcopal church and always manifested a deep interest in its work. He was elected vestryman for fifty-one consecutive years in the same parish, a record unparalleled in the United States, and he served as senior warden of the church for many years. He was also interested in the erection of the church building. He was a republican in politics and was quite prominent fraternally. He was a Knight Templar Mason, also took the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and was a member of the Shrine. Although he was of a social nature, he spent many of his leisure hours at home, enjoying the companionship of his family and the contentment to be found in domestic life. His marriage occurred in Keokuk, July 12, 1854, when Miss Mary Collingwood Dixon became his bride. She was a daughter of George C. and Henrietta Dixon. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tucker as follows: Mary Cooper, who married George Edward Rix; George Collingwood; Arthur Howard, who passed away in infancy; and Willia Dixon, also deceased.

George Collingwood Tucker was reared and educated in Keokuk and has always made this city his home. He has been a forceful factor in insurance circles of Iowa and at present is serving as secretary of the Iowa State Insurance Company, one of the most reliable and most progressive companies doing business in the state. His exact and detailed knowledge of the business and his natural farsightedness and business acumen have been of untold value in the development of the company, and his associates agree that his place would be hard to fill satisfactorily.

Mr. Tucker was married to Miss Katharine Mackv Dickinson, a daughter of Laurence T. and Nanny (Tidball) Dickinson. The ceremony took place at St. Paul's Episcopal church afChattanooga, Tennessee, the Rev. Thomas A. Tidball officiating. To Mr. and Mr;. Tucker two children have been born, Mary Collingwood and Katharine. Mr. Tucker is a republican in politics and is an earnest student of the many forces which are affecting our modern life. The welfare of the city is a matter of great concern to him, and he is always to be found in the front rank of any movement for the betterment of the community. He is a member of the Episcopal church and is quite prominent in the official life of his parish. He is junior warden, vestryman and treasurer and discharges the duties pertaining to these offices with efficiency and fidelity. As was his father before him, he is a successful business man, a public-spirited citizen and a loyal friend.

The Iowa State Insurance Company, with which the Tuckers, father and son. have been identified for so many years, was originated in 1855, the preliminary meeting being held in Januarv in the office of Judge George Collingwood Dixon. Dr. Freeman Knowles presided as chairman and William Turner was secretary. A short time afterward the company was incorporated and began business. The first policy was dated July 25, 1855, and was underwritten for eight hundred dollars, the holder being John Rankin. During the first year about eight thousand, two hundred and eighteen dollars worth of business was written and the growth of the company can be gauged by a comparison of that amount with the volume of business done in 1913. In the last named year in Iowa and Missouri, the premiums on policies brought in six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. A report of the business of the company issued in that year shows that since the organization of the company losses totaling three million, six hundred and sixty-four thousand, seven hundred and twenty-six dollars and twenty-three cents have been paid and that the participative policies issued by the company have saved policy holders nine hundred and forty-seven thousand, four hundred and ninety-nine dollars and thirty-eight cents on the amount of their premiums. The company is conservatively managed and because of this the general public is assured of its ability to fully meet all obligations. To this confidence is due its steady growth and its present prosperity.

The first officers were: C. H. Perry, president, and William Turner, secretary. The incorporators were E. H. Harrison, J. W. Rankin, A. Bridgman, William F. Turner, George B. Smyth, E. R. Ford, A. B. Chittenden, R. P. Creel, John McCune, C. Garber, and C. H. Perry. The present officers are William Logan, president; W. N. Sage, assistant to the president; Alexander E.Johnstone, vice president; G. C. Tucker, secretary; J. L Annable, assistant secretary; Wells M. Irwin, treasurer; and James C. Davis, counsel. The presence of such men as these at the head of affairs is sufficient guarantee that the company will be conducted upon the same sound basis as in the past and that its prosperity will continue.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.