California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


CAPT. EGBERT H. TUCKER. In Fresno county, Cal., there is no more worthy gentleman than 
Capt. Egbert H. Tucker, who performs well his duties as justice of the peace. To him belongs 
the distinction of being one of the promoters and founders of the city of Selma, Cal., his 
home, which was platted in 1880, and is now the second city in size in Fresno county. As 
a citizen whose influence and worth early won recognition, Captain Tucker for years has 
made an efficient public servant, and it may be said of him that he has carried into public life 
the same indomitable will, honesty and industry that have characterized him in private life, 
and as a member of the general assembly he made a record that few have equaled. He was 
elected to this office in 1888, on the Democratic ticket, and was immediately appointed 
upon a number of important committees, among them were the Irrigation committee, of 
which he was chosen chairman, the committee on Indian affairs, the Judiciary committee, 
and others of minor importance. During his term of service he was one of the hardest 
workers in the assembly, and thirteen bills became laws; of these some were created and 
championed by Captain Tucker, and it was due largely to his influence that their passage 
was secured. Among the latter was a bill for the improvement of the Wright Irrigation law, 
and it is worthy of mention that upon the subject of irrigation, Captain Tucker is one of the 
best informed men of his locality, having made a study of the work for years. 

A native of Livingston county, Ky., where he was born March 9, 1838, Captain Tucker is the 
second child in a family of five children, three sons and two daughters ; his parents, Martin 
and Matilda (Owens) Tucker, were both Kentuckians, but the paternal grandfather, Lambert 
Tucker, was born in Virginia. Farm pursuits occupied the attention of Martin Tucker during 
his residence in his native state, and also in Iowa, whither he removed in 1840, locating in 
the vicinity of Mount Pleasant. His subsequent removal to Fort Des Moines in 1843 was 
of material benefit to himself and family, and there he conducted a hotel for a number of 
years. Disposing of his interests in 1852, he came to California, and the balance of his life was 
spent in mining at Sutter creek in Amador county. He died about 1868 at the age of seventy 
years. There also the mother of Captain Tucker passed the closing years of her life. 

The recipient of a good education, acquired in the common schools of Iowa and of Cal- 
ifornia, Captain Tucker when of sufficient age joined his father in mining operations, and was 
so engaged until 1858. About that time he went to Washington, where one year later he was 
elected sheriff of Pierce county. While there he also served in 1861 and '62 as deputy United 
States marshal. At the request of Colonel Justin Steinberg, an old friend of his father's, 
Captain Tucker resigned the office of sheriff, and assisted the colonel to recruit the First 
Washington United States Volunteer Infantry, and was elected captain of Company K. He 
continued in command until the close of the Civil war, being honorably discharged from 
service April 9, 1865. Being appointed quartermaster's agent at Fort Boise, Idaho, the year 
following, by Major T. J. Eckerson, he filled this position with credit until June, 1867. He 
participated in the various engagements with Indians that afterward occurred in California, 
Oregon and Idaho territory, and upon the termination of these wars returned to his home 
at Sutter Creek. In 1874 he received the appointment of United States mail carrier in Fresno 
county, and proceeding to Kingsburg, he assumed the duties of that position, and his interests 
have been identified with those of this section of the state ever since. 

Aside from his personal affairs, the captain has been largely instrumental in the develop- 
ment of Fresno county. In company with J. E. Whitson, George B. Otis, and Monroe Snyder, 
he assisted in laying out the town of Selma in 1880, and also aided in developing the southern 
part of Fresno county. Neither capital nor labor were spared in building irrigation canals, so 
essential to this section. He was a member and director of the Centerville & Kingsburg Canal 
Company, and president of the Fowler Switch Canal Company for a number of years, and his 
connection with these companies, in addition to his being a member of the state irrigation com- 
mittee, placed him in a position to render able assistance in the development of this section. 
By his influence extensive irrigation projects were put through, and the improvements then 
made have been of untold benefit to the property owners. It was in 1882 that Mr. Tucker first 
began dealing in real estate and became interested in irrigation, and he made a careful study 
of this business as the head of the firm of Tucker, Sharp & Co. He served as postmaster 
of Selma during Cleveland's administration, and in 1885 was also elected justice of the peace, an 
office he still holds and fills in an exemplary manner. A Democrat in his political preferences, 
and an active politician, he has also filled a number of minor offices, such as school director, 
city marshal, etc., and in every way possible has shown his fidelity to this party. By his 
marriage in Fresno, he was united with Miss Martha E. Fanning, a native of Santa Barbara, 
Cal., and their union is blessed with one son, Clay H. The latter has been a student in the 
scientific department of the Stanford University for the past three years, and it is his intention 
to enter the law department of the same institution. The family unite in worshiping at the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are devout and consistent members, Captain Tucker 
being a member of the board of trustees.