Education
He attended the common schools. He studied law.
United States representative judge politician
He attended the common schools. He studied law.
He moved to Chariton County, Missouri, in 1873. He engaged in teaching in the district schools. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and commenced practice in Keytesville, Missouri.
He served as prosecuting attorney of Chariton County in 1886–1892.
He served as judge of the twelfth circuit in 1892–1899. Rucker was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1923).
He served as chairman of the Committee on Election of President, Vice President, and Representatives (Sixty-second through Sixty-fifth Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1922 to the Sixty-eighth Congress.
He resumed the practice of law in Keytesville, Missouri.
He also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died in Keytesville, Missouri, May 30, 1936. He was interred in the City Cemetery.
