Background
He was born on Laight Street, near Canal Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on February 10, 1826, the son of Alderman John C. Tucker, a leader of the Locofocos.
He was born on Laight Street, near Canal Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on February 10, 1826, the son of Alderman John C. Tucker, a leader of the Locofocos.
In 1866, as Surrogate of New York, he wrote in a decision of a will case: "Number man"s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session."
In 1844, he became a lawyer"s clerk and subsequently wrote for newspapers. In 1847, he was admitted to the Barometer In 1852, he became a tax clerk in the office of the New York State Comptroller at Albany, New New York
In 1853, he bought an interest in the Albany Argus from Edwin Croswell, but in 1855 sold his part and founded the New York Daily News, but withdrew from the editorship in September 1857.
He was a delegate to the 1856 Democratic National Convention at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1857, he was elected a Sachem of the Tammany Society, and later the same year was elected Secretary of State of New York In 1860, Tucker was nominated as President of the Board of Commissioners of the Croton Aqueduct Department, but the Board of Aldermen rejected the appointment.
He was Surrogate of New York County from 1863 to 1869. He was a delegate to the 1864 Democratic National Convention.
Here he drafted the first Eight-Hour Work Bill, which was ultimately defeated, but he carried through the law for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
In 1875, he left Tammany Hall, and was among the founders of the opposing Irving Hall faction of the Democratic Party. Afterwards he went to Arizona for his health and edited the Daily Democrat at Prescott, then the capital of the Arizona Territory. He returned in the 1880s to New New York
In November 1887, he ran again for Surrogate, this time on the United Labor ticket, but was defeated by Democrat Rastus South. Ransom.
He died in July 1899 at his home at 162 West 84th Street in New York City.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Company, 14th Doctorate).