Description:Waist-length left profile of middle-aged man wearing a high-collared dark jacket, a high collared white shirt and white cravat. His short brown hair is combed forward toward his high forehead. The background is red-brown.
History:Subject was Sarah Polk's brother-in-law. Conserved in 1985.
Notes:William Reade Rucker, son of James Rucker, and his wife, Nancy Reade Rucker, was born on May 20, 1792 in Amherst County, Virginia. After studying medicine with Dr. Yandell, he served as an assistant surgeon in the Creek Indian War with Gen. Andrew Jackson. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1817 with a degree in medicine. He married Susan Childress (sister to First Lady Sarah Polk) in 1819. He was active in religion and civic activities. He aided in the establishment of the Soule Female Academy in Murfreesboro and became a trustee of that college. He served as Murfreesboro Mayor (1822-1823), City alderman (1825-1827; 1831), City Treasurer (1826-1827). Dr. William Reade Rucker died in 1861 and is buried in the Murfreesboro City Cemetery in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
