My Genealogy Hound

Rucker Brothers. Nowhere in Mississippi County, Ark., are there to be found individuals of more energy, determined will, or force of character than these young men possess, and no merchant or agriculturist is deserving of greater success in the conduct of his store or the management of his farms than they. The firm comprises Albert G. and Egbert E. Rucker, both of whom were born in Lauderdale County, Tenn., the former’s birth occurring November 19, 1855, and the latter’s December 1, 1856. Like most of the youths of their county, as they grew up they devoted their time and attention to farm life, receiving in the meantime good common school educations. After attaining his majority Albert engaged in farming for himself, following this occupation until twenty-eight years of age, when he engaged in commercial business at Barfield, in connection with Egbert E., who had been following that business ever since attaining his majority, and succeeded Carr & Co. On the 20th of November, 1888, they purchased a tract of land, comprising eighty acres, of Z. T. Williams, the most of which was under cultivation, and about the same time they purchased forty acres of J. W. Buckner. In May, 1889, they bought 160 acres two miles west of Barfield, which they intend improving and clearing at once. Their stock of general merchandise is valued at about $4,000, and in connection with this work, which is proving quite remunerative, they buy and ship cotton and all farm products, and own a half interest in a cotton-gin at Hickman’s Bend. While engaged in farming, Albert raised 4,500 bushels of corn on seventy-two acres of land, at Hickman’s Bend, this crop only requiring his time and attention for about sixty days, and shows the productiveness of the soil at this point. In the vicinity of Barfield, the cotton crop has averaged one bale to the acre for the past five years. There are three saw mills within a radius of three miles from their home, each having a capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber per day, and this lumber is mostly shipped from Rucker Brothers’ landing. Barfield is the best business point between the northern limits of the county and Osceola, being the main shipping station for Chickasawba, and last year 2,500 bales of cotton were shipped from that point. The Rucker Brothers have acquired an enviable reputation for safe, thorough, and reliable transactions in the affairs of every-day life, and have done much to increase and extend the trade and influence of Barfield. They are members of the Baptist Church, and are men who have always endeavored to follow the teachings of the golden rule, and have gained the esteem and approbation of their fellow men. Egbert was married, February 15, 1884, to Miss Florence Chambers, a native of Tennessee, and is now filling the duties of post master of Barfield, and prior to the year 1888, held the office six years. Their parents, James M. and Julia A. (Chadwick) Rucker, were born in Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and while a young man, the former moved to Tennessee, and afterward to Arkansas, his marriage taking place in Mississippi County in 1847. They subsequently made their home in Tennessee, where the father’s death occurred in 1879. His widow is still residing on the old homestead in that State.