The Lucas Family of Boone County, Iowa

CORYDON L. LUCAS.

Corydon L. Lucas, of Madrid, Iowa, is very successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business; but he is of greater importance to his community than a merely well-to-do man, for he has been connected with many public-spirited enterprises. He was instrumental in organizing the Madrid Historical Society and has always taken the deepest and most helpful interest in preserving valuable records to posterity. Mr. Lucas moreover served as the first mayor of Madrid, was the postmaster of the community under Cleveland and has now been for twelve years a justice of the peace. He also acts as notary.

Corydon L. Lucas was born in Putnam county, Indiana, November 19, 1838, a son of Hiram and Susan ( Payne) Lucas. The father was born in Estill county, Kentucky, April 9, 1815, and in 1834 made his way over land to Indiana, whence he came with the family to Boone county, arriving here October 8, 1853, where the town of Madrid now stands. At this early period there were but two houses in Madrid, surrounded by unbroken prairie, and but one set of farm buildings could be found between Madrid and Belle Point. This farm was located along the Des Moines road. The town of Boonesboro had been laid out but two years previously and settlements were spare and far between. The father won an honorable place in his community and acquired a competence. He died at Grayson Station, October 4, 1906. His wife, Susan (Payne) Lucas, was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, February 6, 1819. Her parents made their way to Indiana in 1834, and in that state Hiram Lucas and Susan Payne were married in 1835. She came with her husband to Boone county in 1853. The Payne family were originally Virginians and were among the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas were the parents of eleven children: William H., who died in North Dakota; Corydon L., of this review; H. M., residing at Woonsocket. South Dakota; Mrs. Nancy Mace, of Oklahoma City; P. J., of Boone county, Iowa; Mary A., of Ames, Iowa; Mrs. Ellen Zenor, who died in 191 1; Anna, deceased; Mrs. Matilda Williams, of Worth township; Zylpha J., residing at Ames; and Florence, who died in December, 1913. The seven older children were born in Putnam county, Indiana, and the younger ones in Boone county.

Corydon L. Lucas remained in Indiana until 1853, coming with the family to Boone county and arriving on the site of Madrid in October of that year. There they remained over night, continuing the next day northward and locating where Grayson now stands. The township is now called Worth. The Lucas family were among the pioneers of Boone county and experienced all the hardships of primitive frontier life. Mr. Lucas attended the early common schools and subsequently taught for some time in the county. He always has taken a deep interest in historical records of his community, which he has carefully preserved, and his collections and the deductions made therefrom are so important that the publishers of this work have intrusted him with the compilation of two important chapters. His wide acquaintance and extensive reading well qualify him for this undertaking.

In 1862 Mr. Lucas moved from Grayson to Belle Point, where he located on a farm which he improved and developed until he retired from agricultural labors in 1883 and took up his above in Madrid. He embarked in the real-estate business and has since given his attention to this line of work, also acting as notary and doing a considerable business in insurance and collections. He is considered one of the best judges as regards local realty and his straightforward, honest methods have won him a large clientele. Mr. Lucas purchased the Anderson Addition to Madrid, consisting of thirty-five lots, all of which he has sold but one lot. He was the prime over in organizing the Madrid Historical Society, which has the honor of being the pioneer society of its kind in this part of the state. Mr. Lucas has one of the finest and largest collections of relics, documents, found curios, elk horns and other interesting objects that are to be found in any county. It contains the first land deed in Boone county. There are also stone hatchets, peace Vol. I'j pipes, early firearms and swords, and he preserves a broad-hatchet which blazed the first road into Boone county. He also preserves an inscribed tablet referring to Lieutenant R. S. Granger and bearing the date of December lo, 1845.

On February 9. 1862, Mr. Lucas married in Douglas township, Boone county, Iowa, Aliss Nancy Sturdivant, who was born in Clay county, Indiana, March 17, 1839. She came by the overland route to Boone county in 185 1, the family settling on a farm in what is now Douglas township. Her father, John Sturdivant, was born in North Carolina in 1790 and died in Douglas township, Boone county, Iowa, July 6, 1866. He was among Boone county's pioneers. Her mother, Mary (Green) Sturdivant, born in North Carolina, died in Douglas township in 1889, aged ninety-four years. The parents were married in their native state and in 1830 made removal to Indiana. In their family were eight children: Rainey, deceased; Mrs. Dora Cagle, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Jenkins, deceased; Mrs. Melinda Payne, deceased; Mrs. Diana Cunningham, who died in Worth township; H. C. who passed away in Boone county; John, who died in Madrid; and Mrs. Nancy Lucas, who is the only member of the family to survive. The three eldest in this family were born in North Carolina and the younger members in Clay county, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have had four children: Pandora, who was born November 12, 1862, and died January 29, 1869; John, who was born September 2, 1869, a successful real-estate dealer, rice farmer and lumberman of Arkansas county, Arkansas; H. D., born October 15, 1872; and J. G., born January 8, 1879, of whom further mention is made in another part of this work. These children were born, reared and educated in Douglas township, Boone county. John Lucas was for three years editor of the Madrid Register and then spent a year with the Platte County Argus of Missouri. Returning to Iowa, he remained in this state until March 17, 1903, and then removed to Arkansas county, Arkansas, where he is at present successfully engaged as realty dealer and also follows rice farming and is engaged in the lumber business. H. D. Lucas attended the common and public schools of Madrid and is engaged in the hardware business here. J. G., who is further mentioned elsewhere, is the editor of the Register-News of Madrid.

Corydon L. Lucas gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has always supported this organization and taken a deep interest in its progress. His counsel in local affairs is highly valued, and he has been an influential leader in many movements that have proven of value to his community. He was the first mayor of Madrid and during his administration laid the plans for the continued prosperity that has prevailed in his community. Under the second Cleveland administration he was postmaster of his city and earned during that time the high encomiums of all who had to transact business with the postoffice. For twelve years he has served as justice of the peace and his fairness and impartiality is readily recognized. Mr. Lucas is a man of high ideals, always actively interested in all things that affect the material, intellectual, moral and religious improvement of Madrid and Boone county. He is a member of the Christian church and devoted to its work. His handsomely furnished home in Madrid is a hospitable meeting place for his many friends. Besides his many other interests he owns two city lots and also holds title to three hundred acres of land in Missouri. H'e has secured a place of trust among his fellows on account of his faithfulness to all tasks imposed upon him, and he is beloved by all because of his genial and pleasant disposition, which expresses itself in the helpfulness which he is ever ready to extend to all those who find themselves in situations where a lifting hand is welcome or needed.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

H. D. LUCAS.

H. D. Lucas, a native son of Boone county who has spent his entire life within its borders, is actively and successfully identified with business interests of Madrid as the junior member of the firm of Hutton & Lucas, dealers in shelf and heavy hardware and also proprietors of a plumbing and heating establishment. His birth occurred at Belle Point, Douglas township, Boone county, Iowa, on the 15th of October, 1872, his parents being Corydon L. and Nancy (Sturdivant) Lucas. An extended sketch of the father appears on another page of this work.

In the acquirement of an education H. D. Lucas attended the common schools, completing his studies in the public schools of Madrid. The family home had been established in that town in 1883. Our subject there conducted a meat market for a period of four years, from 1902 until 1906, and in the latter year embarked in the hardware business, being now a member of the firm of Hutton & Lucas, who are dealers in shelf and heavy hardware and also conduct a plumbing and heating establishment. In this connection he has won a gratifying measure of success, being accorded a liberal patronage and enjoying an enviable reputation as a business man of ability, enterprise and sound judgment. He owns a half interest in the firm and has an attractive and well appointed home in Madrid, while his wife is the owner of a tract of fifty-four acres of land in Douglas township, comprising a portion of the old Luther homestead.

On the 17th of May, 1899, in Madrid, Iowa, Mr. Lucas was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Luther, who was born in Douglas township, Boone county, Iowa, on the 23d of May, 1878, her parents being Milden and Mary (Hull) Luther. The father's birth occurred in Clay county. Indiana, on the 22d of March, 1840, while the mother was born in Putnam county, Indiana, on the 25th of December, 1841. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Lucas took up their above among the pioneer settlers of Iowa, locating in Jefiferson county in 1842. Her parents came overland to Boone county in 1849 and were among the early residents here. They remained on a farm until 1908 but during the past six years have lived retired at Madrid in a commodious and comfortable home. They became the parents of seven children, four of whom still survive, as follows: Mrs. Lillie L. Williams, who was born on the loth of December, 1862, and is now a resident of Madrid; Mrs. Ella Farr, born January 28, 1866, and living in Madrid; Mrs. Zylpha A. Hutton, also of Madrid, who was born on the 15th of March, 1868; and Mrs. Carrie Lucas. All the above named were born and reared in Douglas township, this county. Mrs. Lucas, who has spent her entire life within the borders of Boone county, acquired her education in the common schools and completed her studies in the public schools of Madrid. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, namely: Dott, who was born in Madrid on the 8th of April, 1900, and is now attending school there; and Vaughn, whose birth occurred in Madrid on the 29th of October, 1908.

!Mr. Lucas gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church of NLadrid. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Star Lodge, No. 115, of Madrid, and he is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, being at present venerable consul of Mizpah Camp in Madrid. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lucas enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the community and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. G. LUC.\S.

J. G. Lucas enjoys a high reputation among the newspaper men of Iowa as owner and editor of the Register-Xews of madrid, a paper which through his incessant labors has become one of the foremost country publications of the state. Mr. Lucas is a son of Corydon L. and Xancy ( Sturdivant) Lucas, the former the well known real-estate man and historical authority of !\Iadrid, also the first mayor of the town.

J. G. Lucas was born at Belle Point, Boone county, Iowa, January 8, 1879. There he passed his boyhood and attended the common schools. He has always been a resident of this county. While yet young he became interested in the publishing business in Madrid, and he has followed this occupation all his life. In December, 1904, he acquired the Register-News and he has since equipped his plant so completely and modernly that it stands second to none in the state. Mr. Lucas is an enthusiastic newspaper man. In his editorials, which are clear cut and forceful, he sets forth views which have had a decidedly beneficial influence upon the growth of his city, and his paper has been of the greatest educational value in the community. His news columns comprise extensive accounts of local happenings and include a record of the nation's and world's events. It is but natural that a paper of this character has increased in circulation from year to year and that its advertising patronage has likewise grown. The Register-Xews is today considered one of the most valuable publications to those who desire to reach an extensive and representative public. In connection with his newspaper Mr. Lucas also maintains a high-class printing plant, turning out artistic and up-to-date work punctually and at a most reasonable price.

In 1904, J'. G. Lucas married in Madrid Miss Maude Halsy, a native of Boone county, where she attended the common schools, completing her education in the Madrid high school. She grew to womanhood here and has ever since remained a resident of this county. Her parents are C. W. and Catharine (Purkhiser) Halsy and they have five children: Clyde, of Des Moines; Mrs. Maude Lucas; Mrs. D. E. Crawford, of Des Moines; Lee, of Madrid; and Mrs. William Valline, who also resides at the capital. All these children were born and reached maturity in Boone county. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are the parents of

Max, Catharine, Lillian and Robert L. Lucas, who were born in Madrid, where they pursue their education.

Mr. Lucas is a republican and has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of his party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Star Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., and the Odd Fellows lodge of Madrid. Yet a young man, he has already achieved a decided success, a success which not only means individual prosperity but which stands for patriotic and public-spirited citizenship. As a man and through the influence of his paper he has largely contributed toward the growth and progress of Madrid and Boone county, and his efforts in this respect have proven a factor in the increasing prosperity of his section and the moral and intellectual upbuilding of his town.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.