Tucker, Eli 1840-1915

TUCKER, HICKS, BIXLER, UNDERWOOD, UTHE, ROZELL, JORDIN, ROYER, BYRNE, HIATT

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 4/1/2008 at 15:14:13

From the LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, (Plymouth), Iowa, Tuesday, June 8, 1915, Page 1, Column 1:

ELI TUCKER HOMESTEADED HERE IN EARLY DAYS

Eli Tucker, a well known pioneer of Plymouth county, died at his home on Cedar street on Thursday eveing at six o'clock after an illness lasting six months. Death was due to bladder trouble and other complications.

Eli Tucker was a son of William and Hulda Tucker and was born at Salem, Forsythe county, North Carolina, on February 21, 1840 (burial record says Feb. 28, 1840). When he was a boy of twelve years of age his parents moved to Appanoose county, Iowa, where he attended school and worked on a farm. On November 26, 1863, he was united in marriage with Martha Hicks. To this union five children were born, A. F. Tucker, of Crofton, Neb.; J. W. Tucker, of Kingsley; A. E. Tucker, of Merrill; Mrs. M. A. Bixler, of Calla, Ohio. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Tucker departed this life on July 13, 1873 (perhaps 1875? Daughter Laura was born July 1875).

Mr. Tucker married his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Underwood, on March 5, 1876. They moved from Appanoose county to Greene county, where they lived a few years and then came to Plymouth county where they homesteaded near Akron and lived there for thirty years. In 1907 he retired from active farm life and came to LeMars to live. Twelve children were born to this union, A. A. Tucker and Mrs. J. C. Uthe, of Madison, S. D.; Geo. E. Tucker, of Merrill; W. P. Tucker and Mrs. A. L. Rozelle (sic--Rozell), of Akron; Mrs. J. L. Jardin (sic--Jordin), of Adaville; Mrs. T. B. (sic--Daniel) Royer of Amboy, Minn.; Mrs. T. Byrne, of LeMars and Lillian, Clarence and Charles at home. Clyde died in infancy. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the First Baptist church, Rev. J. C. Hoover and Rev. E. E. Gilbert officiating.

Mrs. M. Wiatt (sic--Hiatt*), Miss Ellia Wiatt (sic-- Ella Hiatt*), of Moravia, S. D. (error--Iowa), B. Underwood, of Jamaica, L. Underwood, of Cooper and M. Underwood, of Seranton, were out of town relatives who came to attend the funeral. The children were all present.

The pall bearers were C. S. Rowley and W. J. Lawrence, of Merrill; C. R. Marx, of Sioux City; J. Gerling, John Ruble and S. Ericks.

Mr. Tucker was a loving husband and father, a good neighbor and friend and was highly respected in the community where he lived so long.

[*NOTE--"Mrs. M. Hiatt" was Eli's sister, Cynthia Tucker Hiatt; "Miss Ella Hiatt" was Cynthia's daughter. They lived near Moravia, (Appanoose), Iowa.]