BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

The Rucker Family lived on land near Salem, outside of Murfreesboro, since 1797.  Aaron Jenkins received his land through a Revolutionary War grant.  Hiram, Aaron’s son, built a house on the property prior to the Civil War.  During the war the house escaped destruction from occupying federal troops.  In 1878, Dr. J.J. Rucker took possession of the house.  He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a physician and was important in the Rutherford County Medical Society.  He and his wife Nimmie Jenkins also had a daughter, Mary.  Mary would eventually marry R.J. Donnell.  R.J. passed away early in their marriage, however, leaving Mary to raise the children and manage the farm alone.  Mary’s three children, James, Riley and Dorothy, attended Peabody school.  Mary was involved in the Daughters of the American Revolution and other civic clubs.