Nereus Tucker, public administrator of Perry County, Mo., is a native of the county, born in 1838. He is a son of Raymond and Mary Martina (Cissell) Tucker, both natives of Perry County, Mo., born in 1811 and 1815, respectively.

Raymond Tucker's father, Peter Tucker, was a native of Virginia, who came into Perry County at the beginning of the present century and settled in St. Mary's Township. Raymond Tucker afterwards located on the old home farm, where he owned 640 acres. He died in 1877, and his widow in 1879.

To them were born five children, who lived to be grown: Nereus, Ferdinande (deceased, who was the wife of Francis M. Moore), Ambrosia (wife of Ambrose Moore), Joseph Raymond and Mary Irena (wife of Frank N. Miles).

Nereus grew up on his father's farm, and in June, 1858 was united in marriage with Miss Tresa Tucker, a native of the county, born acres in 1837. She is a daughter of Josiah Tucker. After his marriage Mr. Tucker located on the old home farm, but after two years he purchased seventy-four acres in Saline Township, to which he afterward added eighty-two acres.

In March, 1888, he located where he now resides one and a half miles northwest of Perryville on a far of 110 acres. He has deeded 152 acres to his two eldest boys.

He and wife have seven children, viz.: Albert C., Philip L., Annie Belle, Nellie, Bertie, Sadie and Jodie. All of the family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Tucker is a Democrat and in 1884 was elected to his present office, having served nearly four years. During the war he served in the Home Militia.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.