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Show • • • JAMES TUCKER James Tucker, son of John Tucker and Susan Blackmore, was born July 22, 1836 and Eastdown, Devonshire, England. He passed most of his early life in his father's tailor shop where he learned the art of tailoring. He received only four months schooling. While a young man he learned the shoe making trade, and when only twenty years of age he started business for himself as a shoemaker. He was baptized into the L.D.S. Church in Oct. 1859, and soon began to make preparations to emigrate to America. Previous to this he had formed a very friendly acquaintance with Miss Betsy Lerwill, who had also joined the Mormon Church. They, together with their esteemed friend, Mr. Richard Fry, and about five hundred others, sailed on the ship Underwriter, and landed in New York about five weeks later. From there they journeyed by boat and railroad to the outfitting post at Florence, Nebraska, where they made preparations to continue the journey across the great plains to the valleys beyond the Rocky Mountains. In the month of June 1860, he married Betsy Lerwill, Elder J.D. Ross performing the ceremony. They arrived in Salt Lake City in Sept. 1860 and Mr. Tucker located in the tenth ward, where he resumed his former occupation as a shoemaker. In the spring of 1862 the moved to Morgan where they spent the remainder of their lives. He followed general farming and raising of livestock. In 1888 the firm of Tucker and Tonks opened up a real shoe store which was quite successful. In August 1892 Mr. Tucker and three members of his family were afflicted with typhoid fever. He was very sick for some time. In April 1894 Mr. Tucker responded to a call to perform a mission in England. He served in various position, being water master for many years, school trustee for twelve years; member of the city council; city treasurer; county treasurer for two terms and county commissioner for two terms. He did a great deal of genealogical research work and labored in the temple for many years performing ordinances for his and his wife's ancestors. Mrs. Tucker was a very faithful helpmate. In the year 1863 after her second child was born, she was very sick, and lay for thirteen weeks confined to her bed. At one time her spirit left her body for thirty-six hours. During that time her husband heard her sing twice. Her burial clothes were being prepared, but through faith she was restored and lived to bare ten more children. Mrs. Tucker died June 29, 1909 at the age of seventy years and eleven months. Mr. Tucker died June 19,1925 being almost 89 years of age . |
