HASKELL FREE PRESS
Another honored Texan Gone
Col. Thos. F.
Tucker, the subject of this sketch, migrated to Shelby co., Tex. in 1838 at
an early age from Yazoo co. Miss. accompanied by his four brothers. He engaged in agriculture and such other
pursuits, as the then new county afforded:
during the earlier times in After was declared
between After peace had
been declared he returned to the peaceful pursuits of farm life till called
by his countrymen to serve them in the lower house of the Texas legislature,
but from ill health or other causes he did not attend the session. At the outbreak of
the late civil war between the states. Capt. Tucker joined the Southern
cause, true to the principle, and was elected Major of the 17th
Texas Regiment and served his country with distinction in the
trans-Mississippi Department to the close of the war, rising to a colonial
and was often in command of the Brigade.
Col. Tucker, after
the war, returned to farm life in San Augustine co. and remained there ‘till
1876 where he removed his family to McCulloch co where he lived two years and
from thence to this county, his being the only white family in this county
for some years. He lived in the old
California Ranch on the only road in this
part of western Texas and his house was ever open to the belated
hungry strangers, often have I seen wagons of emigrants and traveler all round his house enjoying his
hospitality. Upon the
organization of this Haskell co. June 18, 1885, Col Tucker was called by his
neighbors to the head of the county government. Without an advisor or even a statue the
Judge entered upon the duties of the office.
Perhaps mistakes have been made during his administration, but in the
gauge of our Savior,
Let those who are guiltless cast the first stone. He aided by the
commissioners lived long enough to build a handsome courthouse and
substantial brick jail to say nothing of other improvements in this
county. In the words of his
old soldiers, I know nothing of the acts of Judge Tucker since the war but
let no man speak of his war records with dishonor. He was a member of
the Masonic Order since early manhood.
Col. Tucker was a kind friend, a devoted husband and indulgent father He has
reared and leaves a large family, seven sons and one daughter and his aged
wife to mourn his departure. Col. Tucker died suddenly having
been sick only twelve hours at his house in Haskell City May 21, 1886. Obituary transcribed by Judith Atkeison |