Biography of Rev. James Rucker, DeWitt County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Earliene Kaelin Source: People from the Histories 1882 History Rev. JAMES RUCKER This much-respected and talented Methodist divine was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, January 6, 1817. His parents were Rev. Ahmed and Nellie Rucker. His father, likewise a Methodist Episcopal minister, was a Virginian by birth. Tradition says that a person named Rucker came from Alsace, France, to America, contemporaneous with John Smith, was shipwrecked off Cape Hatteras, and swam ashore, a distance of seven miles, carrying with him a bottle of French brandy; that he settled in Amherst county, Virginia, and from him sprang the honored family of Rucker, now scattered throughout much of the Union. In the Revolutionary war one Amherst Rucker, a brother of the grandfather of our subject, was a colonel. Just before the close of that seven years' struggle, he visited his home, where he was gladly received by many friends, who with him witnessed a wonderful vision from his house of the surrender of the red-coats to the patriots in mid-air. The sign was to them full of meaning and hope, and served to renew their courage upon return to the field of battle. Ahmed Rucker was born during the first year of the Revolu- tion. He had nine brothers, all remarkable for their size and strength. James Rucker received a fair education in select schools at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. An incident in his school life shows the character of the boy. He was struck by one McConnell, a son of Gen. McConnell. He informed his teacher, who, because of the position and wealth of the offender's father, failed to mete out, merited punishment. This made a lasting impression on young Rucker, who from that time forth has hated anything that smacked of the domineering trait of slave-holding. At the age of seventeen, James came to Illinois with his parents, who located in Sangamon county. In 1857 he went to Winchester, where he taught school. Soon after we find him in the law office of Stephen A. Douglas as a student. He remained here two years, when he was admitted to the bar and practiced the profession of law for four years. About a year before he quit the practice, he was converted under the preaching of Rev. Peter Aken, and had no peace of mind until be dropped everything else for the advocacy of the Master's cause. His preaching career commenced in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, and has continued in various places for a period of thirty-three years. He was married to Miss Rachel Howard, Aug. 29, 1849, by the Rev. John S. Barker. In politics Mr. Rucker is an uncompromising Republican. During the progress of the war he boldly advocated the abolition of slavery, and in a speech made upon the occassion of the ratification of the victory at Vicksburg, said: "God Almighty has written on the broad face of the sky, in letters of burning light,' that all men are created free, and that slavery shall be destroyed," at the time a bold utterance, and most effectively said. At present Rev. James Rucker is leading a quiet life, which he has richly earned by virtue of faithful, earnest work in the past, in Clinton. His wife, a lady of sweet disposition, though of late years a great sufferer, physically, is loved by all who have come to know her; and, together, they enjoy the society of friends who gather about them, and enter the evening of well-spent lives. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earliene Kaelin