Thursday, July 10, 2008

Brief Historical Sketch of Charles James Tuckfield



  Charles James Tuckfield was born August 27, 1892 in Bingham, Tooele, Utah to James Howell Tuckfield and Isabella Dorcas Simmons. When he was born, he had 5 step brothers and sisters from his mother's first marriage ranging from ages 9-17. He also had one 4-yr. old brother, George. When he was 2 yrs. old, his mother died shortly after the birth of his sister Elizabeth Eva. Six years later in the year 1900, when Charles was eight years old, his father married Alice Jane Perry in Provo, Utah and a half-sister was born, Dorothy Fay. Alice also had four other children from a previous marriage, ages 11-18 at the time of the marriage. 

His father was in the cattle business in Lehi, Utah, and Charles spent most of his life growing up there. Family stories are told of he and his brother visiting with the sheepherders on the foothills near Lehi.

Charles had very dark curly hair, thick eyebrows, and long eyelashes. Physically he was short in stature, but stood tall among men.

Charles only completed the 7th grade as far as formal education. However, he had a very active and creative mind. He spent much of his life tinkering with machines, pulleys, gears, cars and working with tools and wood. He loved to read and learn and figure out how things worked or how to solve problems.

During his youth, he was called to serve his country during World War I and was a private in the infantry. He was on a ship about half-way to France to do battle when the armistice was signed and the war ended, so he did not have to see active duty.

Charles was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 17 years old. He was not very active in the Church until he met his future wife, Ebba Rachel Hokanson. He met Rachel at a dance in Idaho. Charles, being somewhat shy, asked his friend to ask Rachel if she would dance with Charles, which she reluctantly accepted. After the dance, Charles walked Rachel home and her boyfriend followed harassing them until it nearly resulted in a fight. This romance blossomed and they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple 30 June 1920.


Their first home was in Lehi, Utah. During this time, their first child, Fern Evonne Tuckfield was born. They then moved to Salt Lake City in the Fall of 1922. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a railway carman. They lived in three different homes from 1922-1925. Spring of 1925 brought their second child, Lysle Charles Tuckfield. In the Fall of 1925 Charles was transferred to Pocatello, Idaho where they lived for about a year after which they returned to Salt Lake City. In 1927 they purchased a home at 2160 Green Street where a few years later their third child, Ralph Lee was born.

He was a hard worker, honest, full of integrity, and was always concerned with the welfare of his family. He enjoyed new developments and as often as his budget would permit he would obtain the latest and greatest items that had been developed. Some of these include being the first in the neighborhood to convert from coal heat to modern gas furnace. As the telephones and new kitchen devices were developed they would acquire the latest.

As a family they loved the mountains and camping. Charles would come home from work, say pack the car, and off they would go. They had many memorable times camping in American Fork Canyon, Yellowstone, and Bryce Canyon to name a few. They also spent time going to Saratoga or the Great Salt Lake Beaches of Black Rock and Saltair. Often they would just take a Sunday drive which usually ended up with either ice cream or A&W root beer. Charles also took his son, Lysle, prospecting in the bench lands above Lehi. Nothing ever resulted from the claim, but they did enjoy tramping around the hills together.

Charles loved to work in the garage and built a small shop adjoining his garage. He was considered almost a "mechanical genius" because of his inventive and creative mind. He was constantly being sought after by his friends, neighbors, and others for his help, advice and knowledge of mechanical matters and he was always willing to help. His son, Lysle, said "I have seen him work out mechanical problems with gears and pulleys that would involve college math--although he had no formal training for such. Most of his problem solving was done by self reason and discovery." His automobiles were always in top shape and ran to perfection. He had is Model T, his 1927 Chevrolet, and a 1939 Chrysler Royal. Seldom did anything malfunction on his automobiles.

Charles had a heart condition during much of his life for which he took nitroglycerin. His heart unexpectedly failed him in his sleep January 8, 1941. Many friends, family and coworkers attended his funeral. He is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

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