JACOB M. TUCKER, who resides on section 1, Rockbridge township, is one of the thrifty farmers and stock raisers of his community, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres of land which is well improved, constituting a valuable farm. He has eight acres in another tract and is one of the successful agriculturists of his community.

Mr. Tucker was born in Knox county, Tennessee, October 7, 1854, and is a son of John Tucker, who was also a native of that county, born there on the 22d of July, 1820. The paternal grandfather was Obediah Tucker, who came to Illinois in about 1858, settling in Greene county, where he spent the last years of his life. John A. Tucker was reared in Tennessee and was there married to Rachel Graves, also a native of Knox county, her birth having occurred on the 27th of May, 1820. They became the parents of eleven children who were born in Tennessee. IN 1858 they also came to Illinois, settling in Greene county, where they joined his father. Mr. Tucker bought land and operated a farm. He owned three hundred and twenty-seven acres of land at a later date in Rockbridge township, but at first he rented land for several years, and when his labors had brought to him sufficient capital he purchased a farm, his remaining days being passed upon this place, and he died July 22, 1873, at the ripe age of seventy-three years. His wife survives him and resides with her son Samuel D. Tucker in Rockbridge township.

J. M. Tucker was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm, spending his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. He attended the common schools, and has added largely to know knowledge since attaining man's estate through reading, experience and observation. He was married in this county, January 12, 1879, to Miss Caroline Whitlock, a daughter of Robert Whitlock, formerly of North Carolina, but afterwards one of the early settlers of Greene county.

Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Tucker rented land and thus engaged in farming until 1893, when he purchased one hundred and twenty acres upon which he now resides. He at once began the further development and improvement of this place and now has excellent farm property. He has added to and remodeled the house until it is now an attractive dwelling. There are also good barns and outbuildings upon his place, and in connection with the home farm of one hundred and twenty acres he owns and operates eighty acres in another tract. In connection with the cultivation fo cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, he is engaged in the raising and feeding of stock, making a specialty of hogs. He is a successful farmer and stock raiser and through his years of labor has accumulated a comfortable competence.

Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are the parents of four children, of whom two are living: Luella, the wife of Jesse Steele, who is a resident farmer of Rockbridge township; and Robert C., who assists in carrying on the home farm. Two other children died in infancy; Girtha, who died when about eighteen months old; and Della Ann, who died at the age of sixteen months. The family are members of the Rockbridge Baptist church, in which Mr. Tucker is serving as a deacon. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Loyal Americans, a fraternal insurance order. In politics he has been a life long Democrat and always a believer in the cause of temperance. He supports the prohibition candidates occasionally and does everything in his power to promote the cause of temperance in his community. He has been elected and served on the school board and has been highway commission for three years. He is a man of integrity and worth, who has the confidence and esteem of the entire community and is widely and favorably known.