Clint L. Luce

LUCE, STONE

Posted By: Allamakee county coordinator (email)
Date: 5/17/2004 at 07:21:29

Clint L. Luce.
For more than thirty years Mr. Luce has been closely identified with those activities which consititute the business and civic life of a community, and which in the aggregate have made Albert Lea one of the most progressive cities in Minnesota. Mr. Luce has had a long and varied experience as a newspaper man, and while never active in practical politics has worked through various organizations for the promotion of institutions which mean much to the communtiy, and is one of the leading business men.

Clint L. Luce was born in Lamoile, Vermont, September 28, 1854. The Luce family came originally from Wales, landing at Martha's Vineyard during the Colonial times and lived in New England for generations. His grandfather was Jonathan Luce, who lived and died as a Vermont farmer. Mr. Luce's father was Harvey Luce, who was born in Vermont in 1820 and died in Allamakee County, Iowa, in 1887. He likewise spent his career as a farmer. He was married to Ann Stone, a native of Vermont who died in 1872 in Allamakee County. They came West and settled in the latter county in 1855.

Clint L. Luce had an ordinary education in Northern Iowa, came to Freeborn county, Minnesota, in 1873, and in the same winter continued his studies in school at Albert Lea, and after finishing his education taught school for several terms. In 1878 Mr. Luce entered a newspaper office in Albert Lea, learned the business in all its technical and commercial phases, and eventualy became editor and half owner of the 'Albert Lea enterprise', conducted that well known journal until 1898, a period of fourteen years. From 1901 until 1910 Mr. Luce was editor of the 'Daily Tribune' at Albert Lea. His business relations since then have extended over a broader field, and he is now secretary of the Luce Corset Company, of the Skinner, Chamberlain Company, a director in the Citizens National Bank, and owns half of the Luce-Reynolds Building, a business block situated on College Street.

Mr. Luce is a progressive republican, and in 1912 was chairman of the republican county committee. He has served on both county and state committees, but has never sought office, and his service has been in those honorary and unremunerative positions which do more to advance the public welfare than the paid political offices. Mr. Luce helped establish a library at Albert Lea, and was chairman of the board that constructed the $20,000 library. He was among the organizers of the Hospital Association and that movement brought the $50,000 hospital to Albert Lea. For the past six years Mr. Luce has served as secretary of the Business Men's League, and for the same length of time has been president of the Freeborn Agricultural Society, and for many years active in that organization. He is secretary of the Country Club, affiliates with Western Star Lodge No. 26, A.F. & A.M., was formerly a member of the Albert Lea Chapter of the Royal Arch, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Luce, who is unmarried, resides in the Luce-Reynolds Building.

-source: Minnesota: Its Story and Biography. Vol. I. Chicago and New York: Lewis Publishing, 1915; by Henry A. Castle; pg. 1468