Following are transcribed articles from the Fairbury (IL, USA) Independent Newspaper and a poem written by a cousin I can't identify because of his nickname.

Item 2
A fragment of the McDowell family (25) went fishing at Tucker's Monday night. They had an immense time taking their dinner at the residence of Mr. Joel Tucker. Reports says the feast was great and the flow of fish unparalleled. *****Joel Tucker married Mary McDowell Hefner after the death of his first wife Sarah (Sallie) Ann Stull. Joel's son Williard Tucker married Mary McDowell Hefner's daughter Matilda C. Hefner.******

November 8, 1879
Joel Tucker reroofed and replastered his house.

August 28, 1880
Item...His 80th birthday
Last Saturday was the 80th birthday of Uncle Joel Tucker of Avoca and some of his grandchildren projected(?) a huge surprise party in honor of the event. About ?(illegible) persons, relatives and friends gathered at the residence of the old patriarch and joined in the festivities of the accasion. A sumptuous repast, a table "fit to set before a King", was spread on the lawn at noon and all comprising four generations partook thereof.

The occasion, which was a complete surprise to Uncle Joel, was one of unalloyed happiness to all present. Mr. Tucker was the recipient of a fine easy chair, a present from relatives and friends. In the evening an elegant supper was served at the residence of Mr. H. E. Banker across the road from Mr.Tucker, this day also being Mrs. Banker's anniversary.>(Eulala Tucker Banker is Joel's Daughter) She was presented among other things with a set of handsome chairs and a fine dress pattern. On this occasion Mrs. Joel Tucker was also remembered by the happy party and received a very nice cushioned rocking chair as a token of respect.

The event was one of more than ordinary importance and will long be remembered. Uncle Joel Tucker has lived at his present residence since 1851 and has hosts of relatives and friends who delight to honor him in his old age. May it be many years before his sun shall finally set.

This is a poem found with a family history that I believe Edwin Patten compiled.

When I was still a little girl, we had Tucker family reunions every year near McDowell at Marie Green Pike's house. She was my grandpa Harold Tucker's niece. I have lots of black and white pictures filled with unidentifiable old people. Dad thinks many of these came from Indiana. The river in this poem is probably the Vermillion. The Avoca cemetary where most of my Tuckers are buried is adjacent to it. Dad remembers going to reunions before my time at the river and people would wash their cars there. I assume that's the Grandpa Tucker's Place mentioned. I've yet to look at the old plat books for Livingston Co.

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