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Clara
(Miner) Tucker |
Clara (Miner) Tucker was born on May 12, 1850 in Des Moines County, IA, the daughter of Nathaniel and Susan (Abbott) Miner.
An Iowa history once correctly called her "a lady of German
extraction," despite the fact that it had been five generations since her
Meinert ancestors had arrived in America.
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Profile in the 1905 Biographical Review of Lee County, Iowa |
On June 13, 1871, when she was 21 years of age, Clara wed 21-year-old George Wilson Tucker (June 13, 1850-1909) at the county courthouse in Burlington by the hand of Rev. W.C. Shippen of the Old Zion Methodist Episcopal Church. George was a native of Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, IN, and the son of John W. and Sarah (Spicknell) Tucker.
Their marriage withstood the ups and downs of 33 years.
Together, the pair produced a family of six children -- Etta Mae Lange, Charles Tucker, Susan Tucker, John Tucker, Nathaniel J. "Nate" Tucker, and Frances "Frankie" Katherine Rea.
When the federal census enumeration was made in 1880, the Tuckers made their home in Green Bay Township. Later, they moved to Wever and by 1900 into Fort Madison, Lee County, IA.
Their address was 411 Second Street in Fort Madison, while owning 500 acres of land in nearby Green Bay Township.
George is profiled in the 1905 book, Biographical Review of Lee County, Iowa. The chapter opens with the statement that "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 entry goes on to say that he:
...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 life 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.
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| Locals on a fishing outing at "The Bay" in Fort Madison |
In 1897, George was elected sheriff of Lee
County, where he served for four years. He
also held the post of deputy sheriff, and "held most of the offices of his
township." His son John is known to have worked for him as deputy sheriff circa 1900.
They were members of the First Methodist Church, and he belonged
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks (BPOE), Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the
Forresters. He gave "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."
George died at the age of 59 in Fort Madison on March 26, 1909. His remains were placed in repose in Atlee Cemetery in Fort Madison, otherwise known as Elmwood Cemetery.
Clara outlived her husband by 35-plus years. In 1910, the year after her husband's passing, she resided with her daughter Frankie in Fort Madison.
In 1930, she relocated to Pomona, Los Angeles County, CA.
After 15 years of residence there, she died there on March 13, 1945, at the age of 94. Her remains were returned to Fort Madison for burial.
~ Son John W. Tucker ~
Son John Tucker (1878- ? ) was born on Oct. 21, 1878 in Green Bay Township, Lee County, IA.
John earned a living in Fort Madison, IA in 1900 as a deputy sheriff for Lee County, working for his father, the county sheriff.
When he was about 23 years of age, in 1901, he was united in holy matrimony with 19-year-old Josephine Schlemer (1882- ? ).
They produced one known son, Dr. Edward C. Tucker.
John and his brother Charles worked together in the hardware and implement business in Fort Madison and met "with gratifying success." They also were farmers, as shown in the 1910 federal census of Green Bay Township.
Son Edward C. Tucker (1905- ? ) was born in about 1905 in Green Bay Township, Lee County. In adulthood, he was a dentist in Fort Madison. He is mentioned in a 1947 edition of The Fortnightly Review of the Chicago Dental Society.
~ Daughter Etta May (Tucker) Lange ~
Daughter Etta May Tucker (1872- ? ) was born on May 21, 1872 in Weyer, Green Bay Township, Lee County, IA.
At the age of 18, on Feb. 24, 1891, Etta May married Herman Lange (Feb. 28, 1862- ? ), also a native of Weyer. The nuptials were held in Green Bay Township.
They had at least one known son, George Wilson Lange.
Sadly, after 29 years of marriage, Etta died in Milburn, OK on Jan. 26, 1920. Her remains were brought back to Fort Madison for burial.
Herman survived his wife by almost four decades. He passed into eternity in Talihina, OK on May 20, 1959.
Son George Wilson Lange (1892-1969) was born on July 5, 1892 at Weyer, Green Bay Township, Lee County, IA. On May 28, 1928, in a ceremony held in Colbert, OK, he was joined in wedlock with Rose Ellen King (Aug. 30, 1904-1984). They produced at least one daughter, Alice Elizabeth Jacobs. George succumbed on Nov. 25, 1969 in Talihina, OK. Rose Ellen survived him by 15 years. She joined him in death on June 26, 1984 in Ada, OK.
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Granddaughter Alice Elizabeth Lange (1940-2014) was born on July 29, 1940 in Wewoke, Seminole County, OK. Two days after Christmas 1961, she was wedded to Ronald Dean Jacobs (April 9, 1938-living), with the nuptials taking place in Albion, OK. The couple produced one son, Lange Jacobs. Said the Marietta (OK) Monitor, Alice was "very involved in volunteer work in every community in which she lived." The couple resided for two decades in the Panama Canal Zone, working in a civil service capacity for the Panama Canal Company. She also taught school in several Oklahoma communities. In 2001, the Jacobses relocated to Marietta, OK and became members of the First United Methodist Church. Among other activities, Alice was admitted to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1998, on the service record of Jacob Minerd Sr., the first known cousin to be so acknowledged for Jacob's service. She also was active with the Daughters of 1812, Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, Daughters of the American Colonies and State Governor of the Continental Society of Daughters of Indian Wars. Said the Monitor, "She was also very active in numerous volunteer organizations such as the Pink Ladies Auxiliary of Mercy Health Love County, RSVP, SODA Area of Aging and Ombudsman for many years. Alice will be remembered as a wonderful cook who enjoyed sharing with others." Sadly, Alice died at home on Aug. 26, 2014, at the age of 74. Their son Lange Jacobs married Jennifer (?) and make their home in Boca Raton, FL, with one daughter, Jill Elizabeth Jacobs.
Marietta Monitor obituary, 2014
~ Son Nathaniel J. "Nate" Tucker ~
Son Nathaniel J. "Nate" Tucker was born in about 1881 in Iowa.
He married Edith Jane Kennedy (1885- ? ) in Lee County on Jan. 16, 1907, when he was age 24, and she 22. She was the daughter of Cyrus and Sallie (Schantz) Kennedy.
Their home in 1910, as shown by the United States Census, was on a farm in Green Bay Township, Lee County, IA.
The Tuckers produced two children -- Sarah K. Tucker and Richard J. Tucker.
Daughter Sarah K. Tucker (1910- ? ) was born in 1910 in Green Bay Township.
Son Capt. Richard Tucker served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
~ Son Charles C. Tucker ~
Son Charles C. Tucker (1874-1939) was born on Oct. 22, 1874 in Green Bay Township, Lee County, IA.
He married Elsie Badley (April 10, 1874-1940).
Charles worked with his brother John in the hardware and implement business in Fort Madison, and met "with gratifying success."
Charles died on Aug. 10, 1939, with burial in Fort Madison at the Atlee Cemetery, also known as Elmwood Cemetery.
Elsie only survived her husband by six months. She was swept away by the Grim Reaper on Feb. 25, 1940.
~ Daughter Susan "Sue" (Tucker) Tucker Jacobs ~
Daughter Susan "Sue" Tucker (1876-1930) was born in 1876.
She married Charles S. Tucker (1866-1918), said to have been no relation.
He was "an engineer" in Oklahoma, with their home in the town of Blackwell.
Charles passed away in 1918, with burial in Atlee Cemetery, also known as Elmwood Cemetery.
Later, Sue married a second time to Milo Jacobs ( ? - ? ).
She died in 1930, with interment in Fort Madison.
~ Daughter Frances Kathryn "Frankie Kate" (Tucker) Rea ~
Daughter Frances Kathryn "Frankie Kate" Tucker (1889-1965) was born on April 3, 1889.
She married James Glen Rea (May 30, 1887-1964), son of James A. and Charlotte A. (Higby) Rea. The wedding took place on May 11, 1910, in Lee County, when Frankie was age 20, and James 22.
James died on Leap Day 1964.
Frankie Kate passed away just a little more than a year later on March 14, 1965, with burial in Fort Madison, at the Atlee Cemetery, also known as Elmwood Cemetery.
Copyright © 2000, 2007, 2011, 2017, 2022 Mark A. Miner