tucker

FRANCIS MARION TUCKER

Francis Marion Tucker, of the firm of F. M. Tucker & Co., is a native of Perry County, Mo., born September 7, 1845, being the son of James F. Tucker, and the grandson of Francis Tucker, who was a native of Maryland. The family can be traced back to the time of Lord Baltimore. James F. Tucker was born in Perry County, Mo., May 1, 1812 and was there reared and educated. He married Mary Power, a native of Kentucky, and in 1851 removed Randolph County, Ill., where the mother died May 8, 1863. The father died in Scott County, Mo., May 18, 1885. F. M. Tucker was reared in Randolph County, Ill, and received his education in Prairie du Rotcher until the age of sixteen. He then worked for others at farming and sawmilling work, and on the Mount Carbon Railroad, in Jackson County. He married in Perry County, Mo., January 19, 1869, to Miss Margaret P. Tucker a native of Perry County, Mo., and daughter of Barney and Magdalen Tucker, nee McCouley. To Mr. Tucker and wife were born nine children, five now living: Mary Elizabeth, Agnes Elulia, Charles Henry, Clement Pius and Nina Mercedes. Mr. Tucker engaged in business with the firm of Moreau & Menard, and remained with them thirteen months, when the channel of the river was changed and his prospects destroyed there. He then went to Perry County in the spring of 1870, broken in health and in September of the same year came to Mine La Motte, where he worked until August 1871, at which date he removed permanently to Mine La Motte, and went to work for John Wingler & Co., contractors, on the cars. After that he went into the diggings and worked regularly for four years. He then commenced prospecting, and followed this continuously, except when need of funds compelled him to work by the day. He opened up his present business June 3, 1885. In 1888 Mr. Tucker purchased a farm of 222 acres in Castor Township, four miles east of Fredericktown and one mile south of the La Motte claim, on to which he moved on May 9 of the same year, and now, to use his own words, "I have settled down here among my friends and intend to devote the remainder of my live to the cultivation of my farm, the education of my children, and the preparation of my soul to meet its Maker whenever it pleases the Almighty and most merciful God to call me." His motto has always been to "trust like a child and strive like a man." Mr. Tucker is a Democrat of conservative principles, and is a member of the Catholic Church.