SAMUEL P. TUFTS. The Democratic party in the state of Illinois has within its ranks no worker more active or influential than the gentleman above named, the present Postmaster at Centralia, and probably the oldest surviving settler of this city. Elected to many positions of honor and trust, both in the county and state, his entire official career has been an honorable one, and has brought him into just prominence among his fellow-citizens, irrespective of political ties.
Referring to the ancestry of Mr. Tufts, we find that his father, Almanza, was born in Boston, Mass., and was there reared to manhood, in his youth learning the trade of a merchant tailor. He married Mary, daughter of John Mellen, a Revolutionary hero. She was born and reared at Milford, Mass., and became the mother of eight children, only three of whom now survive.
Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Tufts removed to Ithaca, N. Y., and there for a time conducted a merchant-tailoring business. Thence, about 1834, he removed with his family to St. Louis, Mo., having visited the west the previous year in search of a suitable location. The removal was made by stage to the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, and thence to St. Louis on the steamer "A. N. Phillips," commanded by Captain Tufts, a cousin of our subject's father.
Locating in St. Louis, Almanza Tufts embarked in business as a merchant tailor, and continued thus engaged until 1838. In the spring of 1840 he came to Illinois and purchased land adjoining the village of Collinsville, where he engaged agricultural pursuits for about fifteen years. While carrying on his farm he also traveled as a commercial salesman.
In the early '60s he moved Winchester, this state, where he purchased a farm. About 1870 he bought property adjacent to the city of Centralia, and locating there made his home upon the farm until his death, which occurred January 28, 1879, at the age of seventyfive years. While attending a party in honor of our subject's birthday, he suddenly fell over dead, the victim of heart disease.
Politically he was first a Whig and later a strong advocate of Republican principles. He was educated and grounded in the faith of the Unitarian Church, but during the latter part of his life was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as Deacon.
Born in Fitchburg, Mass., January 28, 1827, the subject of this sketch was a lad of seven years when he accompanied his parents to Missouri, and was twelve years of age when he removed to Collinsville, ILL. The rudiments of his education were gained in the schools of St. Louis, both private and public, and the knowledge there acquired was supplemented by attendance at the Collinsville High School. Upon completing his studies, he was sent to Racine, Wis., in order to learn the trade of a carpenter, and remained in that city for two years.
At the breaking out of the war with Mexico he enlisted at Milwaukee, Wis., in the spring of 1847, his name being enrolled as a member of Company F, Fifteenth United States Infantry. The regiment enlisted for five years, or until the close of the war. After spending a month at Camp Washington, near Cincinnati, Ohio, they moved southward, and crossing the Gulf in July, landed at Vera Cruz. From the coast the regiment proceeded to Pueblo, and thence accompanied General Scott into the valley of Mexico, participating in all the engagements from that time until they entered the city of Mexico. To them was given the honor of holding the castle of Chapultepec. Among the most important engagements in which they took part were those of Tucabia, Contreras and Cherubuseo, the latter being one of the hardest-fought battles of the war. After the surrender of Mexico they were quartered for some months in the castle of Chapultepec, and thence proceeded to the city of Queretaro, where they remained until peace was declared.
Mustered out of the service at Covington, Ky., Mr. Tufts at once returned to his home in Collinsville. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California with an ox-team, being a member of a party of six. Before reaching Nevada the little company unfortunately lost all their stock, and after hardships and privations innumerable, reached the El Dorado of their dreams. Mr. Tufts engaged in mining for two years and met with fair success. At the expiration of that time he returned to Illinois via the Isthmus of Panama, and resuming work at his trade, spent the winter of 1853-54 in Belleville.
In March, 1854, before the railroad was completed to Centralia, Mr. Tufts came to this place, and embarking in business as a carpenter, was thus engaged until the opening of the Rebellion. On the 6th of June, 1861, he enlisted in the First Illinois Cavalry, and was elected First Lieutenant of Company H, which he aided in raising. Noleman's Cavalry (as it was usually called) was under the command of Colonel Oglesby, afterward Governor of Illinois, and under the leadership of their gallant commander they did considerable scouting service. He took part in the battles of New Madrid and Island No. 10, and before the former engagement carried the first flag of truce known to the Union.
At the expiration of his term of enlistment, Mr. Tufts was mustered out of the service at St. Louis, Mo., in July, 1862, and returning to Centralia, shortly afterward received the appointment of Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, which he occupied for two years. He also aided in recruiting soldiers, being the enrolling officer for the camp near Centralia. He served as a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Baltimore that nominated Abraham Lincoln for President and Andrew Johnson for Vice-President. Later he was elected City Clerk, and in 1866 was appointed mail agent between Cairo and Centralia, which office he held until January, 1869.
In 1868, at the time of the establishment of The Democrat, Mr. Tufts was one of the prime factors in founding the paper, and for a time served as Secretary and manager of the company. In 1871 he assumed complete control of the paper, which had the distinction of being the first Democratic publication in the city. In 1870 he was granted the contract for building railroads in Christian County, ILL., for the Wabash Railway Company, and with his partner cut out a road bed through rock, a feat that had been attempted but abandoned by two former contractors. About the same time Mr. Tufts was awarded the contract for building the Cairo Short Line between Pinckneyville and Du Quoin.
During the first administration of President Cleveland the subject of this sketch was appointed to the postoflice of the House of Representatives at Washington, D. C., which position he filled for about three years. In 1886 he was appointed Postmaster at Centralia, and under the second administration of President Cleveland was again appointed to that office, his commission bearing date of September 23, 1893. This responsible position he still holds, and by his fidelity to duty and the efficient manner in which the office is conducted has won the high regard of his fellow-citizens, lie has held other positions of prominence.
For one year he served as Alderman, and for three terms officiated as City Clerk. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was the representative of the Encampment at this place to the Grand Encampment of the state. He is now Acting President of the State Association of Mexican War Veterans.
The marriage of Mr. Tufts occurred October 4, 1857, and united him with Zerelda Goodwin, who was born and reared in Clark County, Ind., and received an excellent education in the Bloomfield Seminary, at Bloom field, Ky. She came to Centralia in the winter of 1855-56, and made her home with a sister until her marriage.
Her father, John Goodwin, was born near Nicholasville, Ky., and upon attaining man's estate removed to Clark County, Ind., where he became an extensive farmer. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and participated in the memorable battle of Tippecanoe. In Clark County he married Miss Pauline Jenkins, and their union resulted in the birth of six children, who reached mature years. Only two now survive, Mrs. Tufts and Mrs. Martha Fry, the latter being a resident of Arkansas City, Kan. Mr. Goodwin continued to make his home in Clark County until his death, which occurred in 1859. His wife survived him many years, passing away in 1878.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tufts resulted in the birth of seven children:
For further information concerning the younger son, the reader is referred to the sketch of Charles Drew Tufts, presented on another page of this volume. In the social circles of Centralia the family occupies a position of prominence, and in their hospitable home frequently gather the most refined and famous of Centralia's citizens.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 229-231
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer