from this
noble lineage, was an ardent admirer of Napoleon Bonaparte,
whose checkered fortunes he followed to the disastrous field
of Waterloo.

In accordance with the custom of the country, the wife being
deemed of higher social standing than the husband, the son
took the maternal surname. Tucker was sent, at a tender age,
to a school located in the family territory. Such was his
rapid progress that in a few years he had acquired English
sufficiently enough to read and write it about as well as
the average child of his age in this country.

In the summer of 1856 he came to the United States to
complete his education. Having just completed the English
course in the public schools of Oberlin, Ohio, he entered
college and completed the course in 1865. He then crossed
over into Kentucky and opened day and night schools for the
education of the newly freed race.

From Kentucky he removed to Louisiana, where the climate was
more congenial to his tropical constitution. During his
residence of many years in that State he was employed most
of the time in the customs service with chances of
preferment to higher and more lucrative posts, which he
never sought nor cared for. His tastes have always inclined
him to the more quiet and private walks of life, where he
can promote the welfare of his fellow men, without show and
the applause of the giddy crowd.

President Grant once advised him that he intended to offer
him the Liberian Mission, but Tucker was so indifferent in
the honor that he made no effort to be commissioned.

Anxious to pass away from official duties, he studied law
and entered on practice in New Orleans. This profession was
so fully in keeping with his tastes he hoped to pursue it
the rest of his days. Finding that his legal training
practically restricted him only to Louisiana, he removed to
Florida and located at Pensacola. He was admitted to
practice, and with it he rose rapidly both in knowledge of
the common law and in securing a paying clientage. He stood
high with the bar, from judge and attorneys to officials. He
saw every prospect of realizing the fond dream of his
ambition when once again a call of duty to serve God's
humble children came in stentorious tones. The State in 1887
had founded a Nor