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Osie
(Minard) Tucker |
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Osie and Archibald Tucker |
Osie Carrie (Minard) Tucker was born on Oct. 1, 1867 in Cedar County, IA, the daughter of Nathan W. and Sarah Jane (Woodruff) Minard. She and her parents were pioneer settlers of Missouri and Kansas.
When Osie was age five, she moved with her family from Iowa to Caldwell County, MO. When she was 18, they moved again, to Kansas, settling in Richland, near Topeka, Shawnee County.
At the age of 15, and not married, Osie gave birth to a baby. The event became subject of controversy and happened as follows. When at the age of 14, Osie had kept company with a young man named "Ohse," a relationship which continued from January or February 1882 until June of that year. The following month, July 1882, Osie then began to be courted by George W. Souders. Reported the Topeka Daily Capital:
One night in November, 1882, Souders accompanied Osie to the school house, near Richland, where she resided, to a lyceum, and took her home. The parents of the young lady had retired, it being between 9 and 10 o'clock, and the girl and her escort occupied the sitting room. Here the villain accomplished her ruin under promise of marriage, and it now appears with no other purpose than to satisfy his beastly passion. The evidence showed that she pleaded with him to fulfill his promise, which he neglected to do, and during the second week of January, 1883, she unfolded their wrong to her mother, which resulted in almost dethroning the lady's reason. On the 8th of August, a child was born to the young girl, and on August 4, 1844, nearly a year afterwards, she brought suit against Souders for bastardy, and he was arrested and released on bond of continuance of the action. When the time came for trial before Justice Hazen the defendant could not be found. Two or three days ago he returned to his home in the vicinity of Richland with his wife, whom he had married a short time before during his absence.
When in court, Osie was described by the Daily Capital as "an innocent appearing country lass ... and possessed of a good degree of intelligence. Though hers was an embarrassing position, she offered a very straightforward history of her acquaintance with Souders, and denied that Ohse was in any way connected with her disgrace." Souders was found guilty and sent to county jail.
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Above: the Tuckers' marriage license in Shawnee County. Note the misspelling of his name as "Archabel." Below: Kansas Avenue looking north in Topeka |
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On Oct. 19, 1885, now age 18, Osie married 27-year-old Archibald "Arch" Tucker (1858-1937), a native of Cambridge, OH. Their marriage license is on file today, on microfilm, in the probate court office of Shawnee County. Arch's first name is spelled "Archabel" on the license, while Osie's last name is spelled "Minerd." The Topeka Citizen announced their license, spelling her name "Asie Miner."
Arch had migrated to Kansas with his parents at the age of three, "settling near Big Springs," said the Topeka Daily Capital.
The Tuckers went on to produce an extraordinary 14 offspring. The known names included William E. Tucker, Charles A. Tucker, Earl Tucker, Lelia Mae Larsen, George E. Tucker, twins Ray Tucker and Reva Grooms Strong, Archibald L. Tucker Jr., Jack Tucker, Daisy Snook and Ruby Elliott. At least one other died young, Jackie Tucker (1893-1900).
Their first residence was 49 Kansas Avenue.
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| Above: front, L-R: twins Ray and Reva, Ruby, Archie. Middle, L-R: Earl's wife Ola, Charles' wife Hatty, Osie, Archibald, Leila holding Lucille, William's wife Ethel holding Melba. Back, L-R: Earl, Charles, Daisy, George, Lelia's husband Christian Larsen, William. Bottom: Osie (center) and sisters - courtesy David Tucker |
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The Topeka Daily World said in January 1914 that "The family of Tucker is hailed now as the largest family in Topeka." The newspaper awarded the family 15 tickets to the Sells-Floto-Buffalo Bill Circus, saying "No, they don't have to pay a cent for the tickets -- the Tuckers are to be The Capital's guests at the circus, just because there are so many of them." As of 1914, they all shared a residence at 331 Leland Street.
Osie and Arch lived in Topeka, Shawnee County, at 725 Chestnut Street. He first worked for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, leaving that position in 1900. He then joined the Topeka Transfer and Storage Company, where he was employed for 34 years, retiring in 1934 as storehouse operator.
Arch passed away on April 14, 1937. He was age 79. In a short news obituary, the Topeka State Journal simply said that "At 2 o'clock Saturday funeral services will be held for Archibald Tucker, who died Thursday, burial in Topeka cemetery. The body is lying in state at the Wall-Diffenderfer mortuary, where the services will be held." A search of old Topeka newspapers in September 2010, at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, failed to locate any further reporting.
Osie outlived him by three years.
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Left: 4 generations, Osie with her father, daughter Lelia and granddaughter Lucille Larsen. Right: Osie in older age - courtesy David Tucker |
She died at
home in Topeka on Aug. 8, 1940, at the age of 72. A brief obituary was published in the Manhattan (KS) Chronicle, naming her son George and sister Frances Dumars.
Topeka State Journal, 1937
The Tuckers are buried in the same grave plot in the Topeka Cemetery as their son Earl and his wife Viola May. Also interred here are Viola May's parents, John and Nancy M. Byrd.
Osie died without leaving a legal will, meaning she was considered "intestate" by the probate court of Shawnee County. Son Archie brought a legal claim asking that he be appointed administrator of the estate, stating that her homestead dwelling was worth $800 and her personal property $25. Having been approved by the court in this role, he sold his mother's half interest in her family home to Clayton Oldham of Topeka, discounting the price to $375.
~ Son William E. Tucker ~
Son William E. Tucker (1887- ? ) was born on July 17, 1886 in Topeka. News of his birth was announced in the Topeka Daily Capital.
Courtesy David Tucker
Circa 1908, he wed Ethel May Wyatt (Dec. 1891- ? ). She is known to have had an eighth grade education.
Circa 1910, when the federal census was taken, he resided with his parents, at the age of 23, and was marked as "married" although Ethel was not in the residence. William's occupation in 1910 was as a machinist with Topeka's J.C. Harding Bicycle Company.
They together produced at least two children -- Melba Corinne Dodson and June Carver.
By 1920, they had relocated to Meriden, Jefferson County, KS, where he had found work as a mechanic in an automobile garage. Their address that year was Railroad Street.
Circa 1930, he was an embalmer at a funeral home in Topeka.
William died in 1938 and was laid to rest in Topeka Cemetery. His children thus became legal heirs to their grandmother's estate when she in turn died in 1940.
Ethel in 1940 dwelled with her married daughter Melba Dodson in Canada, Labette County, KS.
Daughter Melba Corinne Tucker (1915-1958) was born on Dec. 7, 1915 in Topeka. As a teen, she dwelled with her parents in Topeka. Melba married Joseph Ely Dodson ( ? -1939). The only daughter born to the couple was Melba J. Dodds. The Dodsons lived in Shawnee County, KS in 1935. Evidence suggests that Joseph died in Concordia, KS on Feb. 7, 1939. Then by April 1940, Melba entered into marriage with George Frank Dodson (1902-1992), a native of Montgomery County, IL. He brought a stepson into the union, George Dodson Jr. At least four more daughters were born into this union -- Sandra Rae Baer, Janice K. Dodson, Patricia A. Dodson and Marsha J. Dodson. The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows the combined family on a farm in Canada, Labette County, KS. That year, Melba's widowed mother was in their household. Circa 1946, they lived in Cherryvale, KS, at 321 North Wilson Street. Then in the 1948-1950 timespan, this family appears to have moved to Jackson, Washington County, OK, where he earned a living as a butcher in a retail meat market. Grief plunged over the family when Melba died in Topeka on Aug. 14, 1958. George endured after her passing for another 33-plus years. He died in Topeka on May 27, 1992 at the age of 89.
- Granddaughter Melba Jo Dodson (1939-2016) was born on Feb. 3, 1939 in Concordia, Cloud County, KS. She was an infant when her father died. She grew up in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas and was a 1958 graduate of Topeka High School. On Valentine's Day 1949, she was united in matrimony with Ralph Josiah Dodds Jr. (Feb. 25, 1931-2020). Together, the pair produced two children -- Nancy Kmak and Kirk Josiah Dodds. The couple initially dwelled in Topeka and then in 1970 relocated to Enterprise, Dickinson County, KS. Melba Jo generated income as a food service supervisor for several nursing homes. In her free time she liked to cook and attend garage sales. Sadly, they endurd the deaths of both of their children, Nancy in 2003 and Kirk in 2007. At the age of 77, in Enterprise, Melba Jo died on June 21, 2016. Her remains were cremated and placed into eternal repose in Mount Hope Cemetery in Enterprise. A memorial service was held at the Enteprise United Methodist Church, presided by Pastor Roger Walls. Ralph survived his wife by four years. He succumbed to the spectre of death on May 12, 2020.
Great-granddaughter Nancy Kay Dodds (1962-2003) was born on Nov. 9, 1962 in Topeka. At the age of seven or eight, in 1970, she moved with her parents to Enterprise, KS. Nancy was a 1982 graduate Chapman High School. On Dec. 12, 1982, when she was 20 years age, she wed Leonard Kmak ( ? -? ). They became the parents of four -- Christy Davis, Brian Kmak, Andrew Kmak and Terry Kmak. The Kmaks put down roots in Enterprise. The family was plunged into grief when Nancy died at the age of 40, in Abilene, on March 25, 2003. Her remains were laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery in Enterprise, KS.
Great-grandson Kirk Josiah Dodds (1967-2007) was born on Aug. 18, 1967. He does not appear to have married. At the age of 39, he died in Enterprise, KS on May 11, 2007. Inscribed on his grave marker is the epitaph "A friend to many."
- Granddaughter Sandra Rae Dodson (1940-2019) was born on Aug. 19, 1940 in Coffeyville, KS. She was a 1958 graduate of Topeka High School and went on to study at Washburn University. Later in the year of her high school graduation, on Sept. 26, 1958, she married Eugene F. Baer ( ? - ? ). The pair's only child was Gina Witt. Over the years, until retirement in 2000, Sandra earned a living as a paraprofessional employed by the Seaman School District, Mission Valley School District, Mill Creek Valley and the Capper Foundation. They attended Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland, where Sandra was a singer with the Sweet Adalines in Wamego and the Prairie Rose Quartet. In 2016, her dwelling-place was in Paxico, KS. She passed into the arms of the angels at home at the age of 78 on Feb. 3, 2019. A funeral was conducted at the Fellowship Bible Church, followed by interment in Topeka Cemetery.
Great-granddaughter Gina Baer wed Eddy Witt. Their trio of children include Keith Witt, Hunter Witt and Benjamin Witt. They were in Topeka in 2019.
- Granddaughter Janice Kay Dodson (1944- ? ) was born in about 1944 in Kansas. She was joined in wedlock with (?) Roberts and put down roots in Topeka.
- Granddaughter Patricia A. Dodson (1946-2012) was born in about 1946 in Independence, KS. She tied the marital cord with James Rayford "Jimmy" Pitts (? -2022), a native of Honea Path, KS and the son of Johnny Malcolm and Frances (Davis) Pitts. Together, they bore a family of four -- Malcolm Dodson Pitts, Christopher Scott Pitts, Jamie Ann Durham and Karmin Leigh Reeves. Jimmy served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and attained the rank of master sergeant. Patricia was employed by Wal-Mart in Anderson, KS and held a membership in the Cuiquola Baptist Church. Their home address was 406 Saluda Street in Honea Path, Anderson County, KS. She was cleaved away by the angel of death at the age of 65, on March 28, 2012, at Miami University Hospital. She was survived by a baker's dozen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Jointly leading her funeral service were Rev. Ronnie Powell and Rev. Brad Haynes. Her remains were lowered under the sod of Eastview Cemetery. The widowed Jimmy married a second time to Diana Grace Moll ( ? - ? ). They lived on Drayton Circle in Anderson, KS. Jimmy died on Jan. 9, 2022 at AnMed Health Medical Center. Funeral rites were held in the family church, by the hand of Rev. Donnie Smith and Rev. Phillip Sears.
Great-grandson Malcolm Dodson Pitts moved to Vienna, GA and was there in 2012. By 2022, he was in Simpsonville, SC.
Great-grandson Christopher Scott Pitts put down roots in Greenwood, KS and then by 2022 relocated to Honea Path.
Great-granddaughter Jamie Ann Pitts wed (?) Durham. They settled in Honea Path, KS.
Great-granddaughter Karmin Leigh Pitts first married ( ? ) Reeves. They have maintained a home in Honea Path, KS. Then by 2022, she again tied the knot with Bradley Burgess and moved to Seneca, KS.
- Granddaughter Marsha June Dodson (1948- ? ) was born in about 1948 in Kansas. She wed (?) Green. Circa 2016, she was in Wichita.
- Granddaughter Dianne Rene Dodson ( ? - ? ) was united in matrimony with (?) Dahl. The pair migrated to Florida and in 2016 lived in Port Charlotte, FL.
- Step-grandson George Frank Dodson Jr. (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927 in Kansas.
Daughter June Tucker (1919- ? ) was born in 1919 in Kansas She grew up in Topeka. June entered into marriage with (?) Carver and resided in 1946 at 3345 Bryant Street, Denver, CO. Nothing more is known.
~ Son Charles A. Tucker ~
Son Charles A. Tucker (1888-1928) was born on March 21, 1888 in Topeka.
He resided with his parents in 1910, in Topeka. That year, he worked as a teamster with a transfer company. He was tall and slender with grey eyes and light brown hair.
When he was 26 years of age, in 1914, Charles was united in matrimony with 26-year-old Belle George Lodge (1889-1947). At the time, both dwelled in Topeka, and news ot their marriage license appeared in the Topeka Daily Capital.
Charles was required to register for the military draft on the eve of America's entry into World War I. Their address was 615 Lake in Topeka, and he listed his occupation as a truck driver for Topeka Transfer Company.
When the federal census was taken in 1920, the couple lived in Topeka and Charles was employed as a manager of a garage. Living next door were his parents. The Topeka City Directory of 1924 lists his employer as Cameron Motor Car Company and their address as 724 Chestnut Street.
Sadly, Charles passed away in Topeka on Nov. 25, 1928. Interment was in Rochester Cemetery in Topeka.
Belle survived her spouse by 19 years. In 1929, she wed a second time to Otto Francis Van Brunt (1900-1960.
She surrendered to the angel of death in 1947. Burial was in the sacred soil of Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka.
~ Daughter Daisy (Tucker) Snook ~
Daughter Daisy
Tucker (1891-1968) was born in March 1891 in Topeka.
Courtesy David Tucker
When she was 28 years of age, in about 1919, Daisy
wed 45-year-old Edward William Snook (Sept. 30, 1873-1956), a native of Lockland, Hamilton County, OH.
The Snooks together produced one son, Edward M. Snook.
Circa 1925, at the birth of their son, the Snooks were in Missouri. By 1930, they returned to Daisy's hometown, with Edward holding employment in the 1930-1940 timeframe as a laborer and deliveryman for a local laundry. Said the Topeka Daily Capital, Daisy "had lived here most of her life," and they made their home at 625˝ Tyler.
Sadness blanketed the family when Edward died in 1956.
Daisy outlived her husband by a dozen years.
Topeka Daily Capital
She was afflicted with cancer and passed away at the age of 77 on March 20, 1968. Burial was in the Topeka Cemetery. At the time, she was survived by her son -- living at 1104 Polk in Topeka -- and two grandchildren.
Son Edward M. Snook (1925-2011) was born on May 20, 1925 in Kansas City, MO. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. On June 13, 1953, when he was about 28 years of age, Edward entered into marriage with Bethuelle "Beth" (Cornelius) Swatzell (Leap Day 1924-2018), a native of Axtell, KS, and the daughter of Archie L. and Marie (Kreth) Cornelius. Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 58 years together. Beth was divorced from Cecil Swatzell and brought a stepson into the marriage, Robert Lee Swatzell. Beth was an alumna of Summerfield (KS) High School and Stewart's Beauty School of Topeka. They made a home at 1104 Polk Street in Topeka in 1968. Edward made a living as a carpenter with the Carpenters Union Local 1445 of Topeka. He belonged to the Topeka lodge of the Masons, the Arab Shrine and American Legion, while she held a membership in the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Cake Arts Club of Topeka, Arab Shrine Sewing Committee and Arab Nobelle’s group.. In her own right, said an obituary, Beth "worked for Vanity Fair from 1947 to 1952 and owned and operated the Gay’s Beauty Shop from 1952 to 1987. She worked at Marge’s Beauty Salon from 1987 until retiring in 2005. In her 63 years of cosmetology she belonged to National Hairdresser and Cosmetology Association and held offices in state and local levels of cosmetology." They endured the death of stepson Robert Swatzell. Sadly, Edward was plucked away by the spirit of death at the age of 86 on Oct. 3, 2011. Burial was in Topeka Cemetery. In a Topeka Capital-Journal obituary, the family requested that any memorial donations be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Beth outlived her sposue by seven years. She died in Topeka at the age of 94 on Sept. 17, 2018. Her funeral rites were conducted in the family church. She was survived by four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
- Step-grandson Robert Swatzell (1944-1995?) was born in 1944 in Topeka. He was the father of Christi Brand, Shelli Clark Snethen, Paul Swatzell and Shalisa Fralick. He was deceased by 2011, with evidence suggesting that he died in Fraser, CO on April 26, 1995.
~ Son Earl Tucker ~
Son Earl Tucker (1895-1974) was born on May 14, 1895 in Topeka.
He entered into the rite of marriage with Viola May "Ola" Byrd (1896-1987), the daughter of John Scott and Nancy May (Walters) Byrd of Bethany, MO. Their nuptials took place on Jan. 30, 1915, when he was age 20, and she 19.
They bore an only son, Earl Edward Tucker.
Viola May attended Topeka public schools and the Daugherty Business College. Using her education, she was employed for 13 years at Connors Furniture Company.
Earl and Viola rest with their parents
Tragically, the son Earl died on Feb. 8, 1919, as a boy. The cause of his untimely death is not yet known.
Earl was employed by John Morrell and Co. of Topeka and Ottumwa, Iowa for three decades. Morrell was a well known producer of Morrell Pride Quality Meats and Red Heart Dog Food. Its plant in Ottumwa was one of three "modern" facilities the company operated, employing more than 3,000 workers engaged in slaughtering and processing several million heads of livestock annually. In addition to Topeka and Ottumwa, Morrell's third plant was at Sioux Falls, ID.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a master of the Golden Rule Lodge of the Masons, and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Topeka.
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| Sprawling John Morrell meat packing plant in Ottumwa, Iowa, where Earl was employed for about a decade. |
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| Obituary, 1974 |
The Topeka Capital-Journal noted that Viola May "moved to Topeka in 1910 and spent most of her life in Kansas except for 10 years in Ottumwa, Iowa." The time period of the Tuckers' residence in Ottumwa is not yet known.
She
was a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church and served with its
United Methodist Women chapter. She also was a member and worthy matron of the
Helena Chapter No. 210, Order of Eastern Star.
Obituary, 1987
The federal census of 1950 places the Tuckers in Topeka, with him earning a living as a plant maintenance supervisor for a meat packing firm. He retired in June 1960.
When his uncle George Stephen Minard died in Houston, TX in 1963, Earl was named as executor of the estate.
In 1963, they lived at 1914 East 28th Street in Topeka.
Earl passed away on July 25, 1974, at the age of 79. He was laid into eternal rest in Topeka Cemetery.
Viola May joined him in death on Sept. 1, 1987, at the age of 90.
~ Daughter Lelia May (Tucker) Larsen ~
Daughter Lelia May Tucker (1897-1981) was born in January 1897 in Topeka, Shawnee County, KS. When she was age 18, and he 35, Lelia married Christian Martin "Chris" Larsen (Aug. 15, 1886-1963), an immigrant from Norway and the son of Peter S. and Christine Larsen. Together, the Larsens produced two children -- Lucille Patterson and Earl A. Larsen. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Larsens lived in Kansas City, MO, with Chris employed as a furnace operator, employed by the Missouri Pacific Lines railroad. Their postal address in 1940 was 332 Cypress in Kansas City. His final work for the MOPAC was as a blacksmith. While there is no way they possibly could have known, Lelia's distant cousin Edward Harlan McReynolds, was assistant to the president of MOPAC for many years in St. Louis and editor of its acclaimed Missouri Pacific Lines Magazine. Lelia was a member of Children's Memorial Lutheran Church and of the Daughters of the American Revolution, though it's not known on which patriot's
line she is admitted.
Lelia and Christian Larsen - David Tucker
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| Early Missouri Pacific locomotive and coal car |
The couple's final address together was with their daughter Lucille at 5210 East Sixth Street in Kansas City.
Sadly, Christian was burdened with hardening of the arteries and then developed a peptic ulcer, which perforated and led to a deadly infection of peritonitis. At the age of 77, he passed away in the Missouri Pacific Hospital in St. Louis on Aug. 27, 1963. His obituary was published in the Kansas City Times, which said he had "lived in Kansas City 37 years." Burial was in Green Lawn Cemetery. His survivors included a brother in Nelson, WI and two sisters and two sisters in Norway.
Lelia died in 1981 at the age of 84 and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery. Her obituary appeared in the Kansas City Star.
Daughter Lucille Larsen (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916. She wed Truman Patterson (1918-1982). Truman originally was from Lexington, MO and was the stepson of Henry Miller. He spent most of his life in Kansas City. The couple became the parents of an only daughter, Patricia Ann Patterson. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Air Force. Then when the United States Census was made in 1950, the couple lived in Kansas City with Lucille's parents, with her employed as a clerk in a clothing store and him as a U.S. Post Office mail carrier. He held a post as commander of the 9718th Air Reserve Squadron in the Air Force Reserve, and retired in 1971 with the rank of colonel. He also maintained his position with the post office as a data technician, and retired from that role in 1975. The Pattersons were members of the Children's Memorial Lutheran Church, and he belonged to the Queen City Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans of Independence, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and East Gate Masonic Lodge. Their longtime address was 5210 East Sixth Street, Kansas City. Sadly, at the age of 64, Truman died in the Veterans Hospital in KC on Nov. 8, 1982. The Kansas City Times published an obituary. Interment of the remains was in the sacred ground of Green Lawn Cemetery.
- Granddaughter Patricia Ann Patterson dwelled in Parkville, MO in 1982.
Son Earl Alfred Larsen (1917-2006) was born on Christmas Eve 1917 in Topeka. He stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall in young manhood and weighed 148 lbs. At the age of 22, he lived in Kansas City with his parents at the address of 332 Cypress and worked for Butler Manufacturing Company. By 1950, he was married and divorced and had moved back into his parents' dwelling-place in Kansas City. At that time, he performed assembly work at a steel factory. In 1963, his address was 620 West 39th Terrace. Earl appears to have remained in KC for good. He died on Dec. 15, 2006.
~ Son George E.
Tucker ~
Son George E. Tucker (1898-1979) was born on Dec. 7, 1898 in Topeka.
In 1924 in Burlington, KS, George tied the marital cord with Katherine M. Rees (June 7, 1895-1972), originally from Burlingame, Osage County, KS.
The pair did not reproduce.
Circa 1935, the Tuckers established a residence in Manhattan, KS. There, they stayed for the remaining 37 years of their lives together. Their address was 809 Poyntz Street in Manhattan for many years.
George earned a living working for Montgomery Ward department stores in Manhattan, Dodge City and Topeka. His final employer was at Fort Riley, with him there for 17 years until retirement in 1970. He was a member of the local lodges of the Masons, Order of Eastern Star and Eagles, and Katherine of the Eastern Star. They belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Manhattan
Sadly, at the age of 77, Katherine passed away in a Manhattan hospital on Dec. 15, 1972. Her obituary was published in the Topeka State Journal.
George survived his bride by seven years and maintained a residence at 701 Bluemont. Death enveloped him in a hospital in Kansas City at the age of 80 on June 28, 1979. His remains were lowered into eternal repose next to hers' in Topeka's Mount Hope Cemetery. The Manhattan Mercury printed an obituary.
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Topeka's Kansas Avenue, looking north |
~ Son Ray Tucker ~
Son Ray Tucker (1901-1981) was born on Nov. 27, 1901, in Topeka, Shawnee County, KS, a twin with his sister Reva.
Circa 1920, at age 19, he lived at home with his parents, and worked as an apprentice in steel fixtures. He remained in the steel fixtures business through the 1920s and into 1930, now working in a draftsman capacity and living in his parents' household.
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| Twins Ray Tucker and Reva (Tucker) Grooms Strong - David Tucker |
On March 7, 1936, in Chicago, at the age of 34, Ray
married Margaret Josephine Clary ( ? - ? ).
Topeka Capital Journal, 1981
They resided in Kansas City and together bore a family of four offspring -- Diane Jean Barrett, Col. Ronald Ray Tucker, David Claude Tucker and Paul Archibald Tucker.
Ray "was a retired engineer," said the Topeka Capital Journal. "He worked for Butler Manufacturing at Kansas City for 17 years. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City."
Suffering from cancer, Ray died at age 79 in a Kansas City hospital on Feb. 6, 1981. Following services at Park Lawn Funeral Home in Kansas City, he was placed at rest at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Kansas City.
Daughter Diane Jean Tucker (1941-1978) was born in 1941. She tied the knot with Benjamin Franklin Barrett ( ? - ? ). Two children of this union were Daniel Barrett and Angela Barrett. Grief cascaded over the family when Diane died in 1978.
- Grandson Daniel Barrett ( ? - ? )
- Granddaughter Angela Barrett ( ? - ? )
Son Col. Ronald Ray Tucker (1942-living) was birn in 1942. He is a 1965 graduate of the University of Kansas and immediately received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He then trained in the McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II, a tactical reconnaissance aircraft which reinforced RF-101 supersonic jet fighters during the Vietnam War. At one point he dwelled in Mountain Home, ID and then in 1967 volunteered to rejoin the Air Force, flying 250 combat missions, including 78 over North Vietnam. For this service he received two Distinguished Flying Cross medals and 19 Air medals. He went on to re-train in KC-135 air refuelers and FB-111 strategic low altitude nuclear bombeers, with posts to New Hampshire and Omaha, NE. In 1990, he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel after a career spanning 26 years. Back in life as a civilian, he joined Commair, a regional airline of Delta, and flew as a captain for 11 years with a home base of Cincinnati. He then relocated to Phoenix and joined American Airlines as a flight crew training instructor, with special instruction for pilots on how to fly an Airbus.
Son David Claude Tucker (1943-living) was born in 1943. He wed Leah Marie Peters ( ? - ? ). Their brood of six children include Kelly Gene Tucker, Aaron Christian Tucker, Karen Elaine Tucker, Brian Ray Tucker, Amy Ileane Tucker and Cathleen Marie Tucker. David also joined the U.S. Air Force, in 1961, and served until 1965, with deployment to Thule, Greenland and Great Falls, MT. He then was employed by Trans-World Airlines (TWA) from 1966 to 1999, followed by a five-year consulting career in Basel, Switzerland with Saudi Royal Flight. David went on to jion Rolls-Royce's engine manufacturing unit, managing a flying test bed for the Boeing 747 until 2002.
- Grandson Kelly Gene Tucker (1996- ? )
- Grandson Aaron Christian Tucker (1968- ? )
- Granddaughter Karen Elaine Tucker (1971- ? )
- Grandson Brian Ray Tucker (1973- ? )
- Granddaughter Amy Ileane Tucker (1976- ? )
- Granddaughter Cathleen Marie Tucker (1984- ? )
Son Paul Archibald Tucker (1946-2018) was born in 1946. He was joined in wedlock with Susan Sutter ( ? - ? ). The four offspring they bore together are Nathan Tucker, Lyle Tucker, Johnathan Tucker and Christina Tucker. They are known to have maintained a residence in 1981 in Overland Park, KS. At some point Paul wed again to Jenny Austin ( ? - ? ). Sadly, Paul passed away at the age of 70 on March 24, 2018. Interment was in Green Lawn Cemetery in Kansas City.
- Grandson Nathan Tucker married Joan.
- Grandson Lyle Tucker ( ? - ? )
- Grandson Johnathan Tucker ( ? - ? )
- Granddaughter Christina Tucker ( ? - ? )
~ Daughter Reva (Tucker) Grooms Strong ~
Daughter Reva Tucker (1901-1986) was born on Nov. 27, 1901, a twin with her brother Ray.
She was employed in Topeka in 1920 as a telephone operator for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.
On Sept. 1, 1920, she was joined in wedlock with co-worker M.A. James Grooms ( ? -? ), a resident of North Topeka. Rev. R.E. Gordon led the nuptials, held at the Kansas Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. In announcing the marriage, the Topeka State Journal said that her sister-in-law Belle Tucker softly played Lohengrin's wedding march on piano and sister Daisy Snook was bridesmaid. Said the Journal, "The bride wore her going away suit of navy blue tricotine with a taupe beaver hat and carried a shower bouquet of bride's roses." Their out-of-town guests were Mrs. Ben Moll and son Elson of DeSoto, KS, Pearl Mooneyham of Kansas City, Myra Redmond of Carbondale, KS and Jessie Linsacum and daughter Vinita of Delia, KS. At the time, James earned a living as a clerk with the AT&SF's store house.
The couple apparently did not reproduce.
Later, Reva married William D. "Dave" Strong ( ? -1976).
Circa 1946, she lived in Chicago at 120 South La Salle Street Building, Suite 963. By the 1970s, she and Dave resided in Evanston, IL, a suburb of Chicago, at an address of 2133 Oakston Street. She owned Tucker Personnel, based at 120 South LaSalle Street in the Windy City.
Dave passed away just two days after our nation's bicentennial on July 6, 1976.
At the age of 84, Reva died in Nov. 1986. A brief obituary was published in the Chicago Tribune, naming her sister Ruby Elliott as a survivor. No burial site is known for either Reva or Dave.
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Archie Tucker - David Tucker |
Son Archibald Tucker Jr. (1904-1963) was born on Sept. 1, 1904 in Kansas.
Archie was a bachelor for many years. When the federal census enumeration was made of Topeka in 1930, the 26-year-old Archie was single and living under the roof of his parents, employed as a plater for a steel fixtures business.
On June 18, 1938, when he was age 34, he entered into marriage with 30-year-old Beulah L. Sumpter (1908-1999), daughter of Bluford W. and Margaret Jane (Chestnut) Sumpter.
She was a native of Valley Valls, KS.
The Tuckers made their residence in Topeka at the address of 816 West 3rd Street.
The pair of daughters they bore together were Martha
Jane Holland and Virginia Elaine Johnson.
Topeka Daily Capital
In 1940, the United States Census shows the newly married pair in Topeka, with Archie working as a laborer in the meat packing industry. Then in 1950, with him still employed in the meat packing business, as a smokehouse attendant, they lived in an apartment at 816 West Third Street.
Said the Topeka Daily Capital in 1963, Archie was "employed for 10 years at the former Air Force Supply Depot and for the past two years was an electrician at the State Office Building. He attended the First Church of Christ, Scientist."
Earl died at the age of 59 on Dec. 1, 1963. The Daily Capital reported in an obituary that following a funeral at the Wall-Diffenderfer Chapel, burial took place in the Memorial Park Cemetery.
Obituary, 1999
As a widow, Beulah moved to Wheatridge, CO, near her two married daughters, who resided in Colorado Springs.
She died in a nursing home in Wheatridge on Dec. 6, 1999. On the day of her funeral, the Topeka Capital Journal said: "Relatives and friends request that those who knew Beulah devote 30 minutes of prayer for the young of the world between 1 and 5 p.m..."
Daughter Martha Jane "Marti" Tucker (1944-2000) was born on June 30, 1944 in Topeka. She was joined in wedlock with (?) Holland. Their home in the late 1990s was in Colorado Springs, CO. The angel of death cleaved her away on July 9, 2000. The remains were lowered under the sod of Colorado Springs' Evergreen Cemetery.
Daughter Virginia Elaine Tucker (1950-2021) was born on Aug. 16, 1950 in Topeka. After high school,, she graduated from Principia College in Elsah, IL. She then established a dwelling-place in her hometown and devoted her working career to real estate. In 1977, she entered into marriage with Carl Frederick Johnson ( ? -2013). One daughter of the pair is M. Blaine Riddlesperger. They relocated to Alaska, where Carl was employed on the North Slope by Atlantic Richfield Oil Company (Arco). After 18 years in Anchorage, in 1994, they moved to Colorado and put down roots in Colorado Springs. They remained there for the balance of their lives. The Johnsons owned and managed All-State Horse Express for 14 years, from 1994 to 2008, and owned Southern Cross Coin Laundry. They held a membership in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in town. Said an obituary, Sadly, "Carl brought a twinkle into the world with his personal brand of kind and silly humor and appreciation for people... [He] enjoyed working with his staff and customers who will remember his smile and support." Carl was gathered away by the angel of death on Nov. 2, 2013. Virginia outlived him by eight years. In her final years, she and her daughter continued to run the Southern Cross laundry and The Laundry Basket and Dog Wash. Mother and daughter also were employed as agents with ERA Shields Real Estate. She died at home at the age of 70 on April 20, 2021. An obituary appeared in the Gazette.
- Granddaughter M. Blaine Johnson ( ? - ? ) tied the knot with Brooks Riddlesperger ( ? - ? ). They have made a home in Colorado Springs. Blaine and her mother were employed as agents with ERA Shields Real Estate and jointly owned and managed Southern Cross Laundry and The Laundry Basket and Dog Wash.
~ Son Jack Tucker ~
Son Jack Tucker (1907- ? ) was born in about 1907 in Topeka.
He spent his early years in Topeka.
Nothing more is known.
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Ruby Elliott - courtesy David Tucker |
Daughter Ruby Tucker (1909-1990) was born on Dec. 16, 1909 in Topeka, Shawnee County, the capital city of Kansas, and the youngest of her mother's 12 known offspring, and possibly as many as 14.
As of the age of three months, she had not yet been named, as per the 1910 federal census enumeration.
Ruby is known to have attended school through the ninth grade.
On June 19, 1935, when she was age 26 and he 34, Ruby was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with James A. Elliott (1901-1966), a native of Kansas.
The Elliotts lived for decades at the address of 633 Highland in Topeka.
They did not reproduce.
James earned a living in 1940 as a truck driver for a Topeka moving company, known at the time as a "transfer" business.
The 1950 federal census enumeration of Topeka lists him as a foreman for a transfer and storage company.
Topeka obituary, 1990
Said the Topeka Daily Capital, James was "employed by Topeka Transfer and Storage Co. as a foreman 36 years before retiring in 1963. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1920 until 1927."
Ruby was very active in the community, as a member of the Helena Chapter No. 210 of the Order of Eastern Star and as secretary of the Arena Star Club. As a life member of the East Topeka United Methodist Church, she was president of the East Topeka United Methodist Women, and was on the board of trustees of the church. Said the Capital Journal, "For many years, she was the lay delegate to the Kansas East Annual Conference."
Suffering from cancer, James died at the age of 65 on June 29, 1966, in a Topeka hospital. Memorial services were held at the Wall-Diffenderfer Mortuary Chapel, followed by interment in Topeka Cemetery.
Topeka Daily Capital
Ruby outlived her husband by almost a quarter of a century. In 1986, at the death of her sister Reva Strong in Evanston, IL, she was named in the Chicago Tribune obituary. She died in a local hospital on April 14, 1990, at the age of 80. The Capital Journal reported that her survivors included 12 nieces and nephews, and 12 great-nieces and great-nephews.
For more information, please contact grandson David Claude Tucker, who has been researching his Tucker/Minard roots for many years.
| Copyright © 2001-2003, 2005, 2010, 2022, 2024 Mark A. Miner |
| Minerd.com extends its gratitude to David Claude Tucker for graciously providing content for this biography. |