James T. Rucks

James T. Rucks, general merchant, Kingsland, Ark.

This enterprising and successful merchant established his business at Kingsland, in 1882, and since that time has built up a large trade. He owes his nativity to Dallas County, Ark., where his birth occurred in 1848, and is the son of Warner Rucks, a native of Smith County, Tenn., born about 1800.

The elder Bucks was married in his native State to Miss Dolly Jane Cardwell, a native of North Carolina, and they afterward, in the thirties, removed to Dallas County, Ark., where they were among the very first settlers. Their nearest
trading point was Little Rock, which was then a mere village, and their nearest neighbor was fourteen miles distant.

Mr. Rucks was honest, industrious and did his full share in clearing the wilderness. He followed farming all his life, and died in 1860. His wife died in 18?5. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The father was an officer in the militia in early days.

James T. Rucks, the youngest of five sons and three daughters, was reared to farm labor, and received the rudiments of an education in the common schools, supplementing the same by attending one year in Camden. When about twenty years of age lie started out for himself as a clerk in Camden, and remained in that capacity for one firm for twelve years.

In 1879 he embarked in mercantile pursuits on his own account at Princeton, remained there until 1882, when he removed to Kingsland, and now is doing a good business at that place.

He was married in April, 1879, to Miss Ross Leali, daughter of Dr. Louis Leali (see sketch).  Mrs. Rucks died in November, 1880, leaving one child, and a son born to this union is also deceased. Mr. Rucks' second marriage occurred in 1883, to Miss Renee Slaughter, a native of Warren, Ark., and the daughter of Charles A. and Mary Slaughter. Mr. Slaughter was a prominent attorney at Warren and there received his final summons.  His widow is still a resident of Warren, and is living with her second husband.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rucks have been born four children; three sons and a daughter.  Mr. Rucks has about 400 acres of land, some of which is in Lee County, and has also a good home and business property in Kingsland. He is a Democrat in his political principles and his first presidential vote was for Horace Greeley, in 1872.

He is junior deacon in the Masonic lodge No. 430, at Kingsland, and is also Royal Arch chaplain of the Chapter at that place. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas
Copyright 1890
Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co.; Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis