John Lucas

LUCAS, FERGUSON, DAILY

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 5/2/2022 at 15:18:50

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Wednesday, March 29, 1905
page 6

John Lucas a well know character of Wapello for thirty years, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Ferguson, Of Cedar Rapids, Wednesday, March 22 and was buried at Wapello on the Friday following. Mr. Lucas was born of a good family in Ireland ninety-seven years ago. His father was a man of wealth and position, but John refused any kind of restraint and came to America in 1848. Settled first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was engaged some years in building turnpikes across the river in Kentucky, where made money and spent it, for "Johnny" was a bred sport.

In 1851 he was married to Miss Honore Daily, who died in 1868. In 1855 he came to Wapello to work on the old "Air Line" road. After the collapse of that project soon after his arrival, he settled down to odd jobs of any kind that required the use of a spade. Of the six children born to himself and wife, three daughters are living. These are Mary, Nellie and Maggie, all married, one in the state of Washington. He was buried by the side of his wife in the Wapello cemetery.