California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


F. TUCKER.- � A wide-awake Ford agent and dealer who is not only 
favorably known in Selma, but has an enviable reputation beyond the bounds 
of this enterprising town, is F. Tucker who came to California with a couple 
of willing hands, a good head and a brave, warm heart, and today, as a 
natural result, is the possessor of a snug little fortune. Complete mastery of 
the details of the business, as well as a belief in square dealing and prompt, 
reliable service have contributed to build up his large trade. He now owns 
and occupies the largest garage building in Selma, at the corner of Second 
and West Front Streets, which contains an ample machine shop, offices and 
display rooms. He handles Fordson Tractors and Ford autos, and accessories. 

Born near Greeley, Kans., on November 5, 1879, Mr. Tucker grew up 
in "The Garden of the West," enjoyed the excellent common-school advan- 
tages of that state, and grew robust under summer heat and winter cold. Not 
until August, 1911, after he had often reflected on the advantages of life west 
of the Rockies, did the ambitious young American, now grown to manhood, 
come out to the Pacific ; but from the first day that he breathed the air of 
California, he knew that he had found what he had long dreamed about. 

Settling temporarily in Fresno, he worked for a year for the Ford agent 
there, and then, initiated into the perfect routine which has always charac- 
terized the business ways of that automobile system, he removed to Selma 
and established the agency here. From almost the start, he won favor with 
the local public, and success has attended his efforts beyond his most san- 
guine expectations. His sales for the year 1917 were 178 cars, for 1918 he had 
a contract for 192 automobiles, while in 1919 his contract is for 250 cars, and 
he will handle the Fordson tractor besides. It is doubtful if any other dealer 
in the state can make a better showing, limit of territory and other conditions 
being taken into account. 

Mr. Tucker, however, has one or two specific items for which he is justly 
proud. He unloaded the first car-lot of automobiles ever consigned to Selma, 
no other dealer before him ever having brought in a carload of machines. The 
total number of Fords he has disposed of up to date is more than 1,200. These 
come to him from the Detroit factory only partly assembled; and they are 
finally and expertly put together at the Tucker shop. 

The surprising thing about Mr. Tucker's success with his Selma agency 
is the limitation of the territory in which he is expected to operate. It runs 
east only as far as the river, for Fowler has its own agency, and so has 
Kingssburg, the well-kept agency at the latter place being managed by Mr. 
Tucker's brother. Considering, therefore, the very limited area of the district 
to which he is by Ford ethics strictly confined, Mr. Tucker probably holds 
not only the California, but the United States record for sales in a five-year 
period, a fact which speaks for the general prosperity of the vicinity as well 
as the thrift and good judgment of the inhabitants of Selma. His machine- 
shop is connected with his commodious, clean and well-kept garage. 

While in Kansas, Mr. Tucker was married to Miss Levora Reynolds of 
that state, by whom he has had two children, Florence and Frederick. In 
the suburbs/northwest of Selma, he has built himself a beautiful home, and 
there he lives with his interesting family. 

Having thus been the very satisfactory representative of the Fords at 
Selma for "the past six years, Mr. Tucker has not only kept on hand a large 
stock of Ford accessories, but he has always had a sufficient force of com- 
petent machinists to meet every demand of his numerous and appreciative 
patrons. The result is that he has one of the best-paying branches to be found 
anywhere on the Coast.