Richard B. Lucas (1830-1914)

LUCAS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 10:06:02

Richard B. Lucas
(December 5, 1830 – May 19, 1914)

Richard B. Lucas, a practical and successful farmer of Lake Creek Township, was born in what is now Logan County, Illinois, on the 5th of December, 1830, his parents being Jesse K. and Jane (Bowman) Lucas, pioneers of that locality and natives of Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Abram Lucas, removed from Ohio to Illinois about 1827, and was one of the first settlers of that part of Sangamon County which is now Logan County. There he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife, Marcy, lived to quite an advanced age. The father of our subject also followed agricultural pursuits and became the owner of a good farm of two hundred acres in Logan County. Illinois, where the greater part of his life was spent. He was a very industrious, energetic and reliable man, was
a "hardshelled" Baptist in religious belief, and a Democrat in politics. He was born November 8, 1807, and died in Logan County, Illinois, in March, 1874, while his wife was born January 6, 1808, and died about 1852. This worthy couple were the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, namely: Sarah, deceased, Richard B., Abraham H., Mary Jane, Arminda R., Martha K., Phoebe K., and Hannah E. In the county of his nativity Richard B. Lucas was reared to agricultural pursuits and assisted his father in the labors of the home farm until he attained his majority. He received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, learning his A B Cs in a little log schoolhouse, where the seats were made of slabs. There was a long desk on one side of the room, and the building was heated by a fireplace. In this rude structure he obtained the rudiments of a good English education. At that time there was plenty of wild game in the locality where he lived and he often saw large droves of deer. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Lucas started out to make his own way in the world, his cash capital consisting of but four dollars. At first he worked as a farm hand for fifteen dollars per month, and at the end of the season had all his wages and the, four dollars besides. Later he engaged in farming for himself upon rented land and was finally able to purchase forty acres in Logan County, Illinois, to which he subsequently added until he had one hundred and sixty acres on selling out there, preparatory to coming to Calhoun county, Iowa. Here he purchased a farm in 1894, and the following year took up his residence thereon. He now has one hundred and sixty acres in Lake Creek Township, on which he has made most of the improvements. He rents a part of this and operates the remainder himself. On the 29th of October, 1857, Mr. Lucas led to the marriage altar Miss Martha Nicholson, who was born on the 7th of March, 1834, in Michigan, where her parents, David T. and Ruth (Brown) Nicholson, spent the greater part of their lives. Their last years, however, were passed in Illinois, where they died within twenty-four hours of each other, the father at the age of fifty-four years, the mother at the age of fifty-three, and both were laid to rest in the same grave. Mr. Nicholson made farming his life work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lucas were born five children, as follows: Lydia Jane, John R., Cora A., Mary Etta and Jesse T.
Since casting his first vote Mr. Lucas has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and takes a deep interest in political affairs, as every true American citizen should. He is liberal in his religious views, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.392]