William Oliver Lucas

BARDRICK, BRIDGES, GARRETSON, LUCAS, MILLS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/8/2004 at 18:12:36

William O. Lucas, engaged in the practice of law at Winterset, has been a life-long resident of Madison county, his birth having occurred in Douglas township January 30, 1866. He is a son of William G. and Hannah (Bardrick) Lucas. The former was born in Xenia, Ohio, January 29, 1821, and when nine years of age went to Illinois with his parents, the family removing to Sangamon county at which time they took up their abode upon a farm near Springfield, being pioneer settlers of that locality. There William G. Lucas was reared and he remained in that county until the spring of 1852, when he came to Madison county, Iowa. The following year he settled upon a farm in Douglas township, where he made his home for forty-six years, or until 1899, when he rented the place and removed to Winterset, where he lived retired. He made the journey west-ward with ox teams and wagon and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he converted into a rich and valuable farm. Year after year he worked persistently and energetically in the development of his place, and it brought to him a substantial annual income. He was a member of the Grange and was interested in every plan for the improvement of agricultural conditions. He died when more than eighty years of age. His wife was born in England and came to the United States in her girlhood. She was one of the pioneer women of Madison county and died here May 5, 1867. In the family were eight children: Mary, now the deceased wife of Albert C. Mills; Martha, deceased; Elizabeth, who is the widow of John Garretson, of Winterset; George and Henry, who have passed away; Ellen, the deceased wife of John Lovelace; Maria, the wife of Albert Guye, a resident farmer of Union township; and William O.

The last named was but an infant at the time of his mother's death. His boy-hood and youth were spent upon the home farm and he attended the public schools, acquiring his early education in the district school near his father's home and afterward pursuing his studies in the high school of Winterset. For two terms he engaged in teaching in a country school, but it was his desire to become a member of the bar and with that end in view he entered the law office of Vincent Wainwright, of Winterset, who directed his preliminary reading. He afterward became a student in the State University at Iowa City and was there graduated upon the completion of the course in the law department with the class of 1889. He next engaged in practice with his former preceptor until Mr. Wainwright's death six months later. For a short time he was in partnership with S. A. Hays, but since that time has been alone. In a profession where advancement depends solely upon individual merit he has worked his way steadily upward and is accorded a liberal clientage which has connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district.

In 1894 Mr. Lucas was married to Miss Hattie Bridges, a native of Henry county, Iowa, who came in childhood with her parents to this county. They have two children: Helen, now attending Drake University at Des Moines; and William Robert, at home. Mr. Lucas exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and is a recognized leader in its local ranks. He served as mayor of Winterset for two terms, from 1907 until 1911, and was elected for the second term without opposition, a fact which stands as incontrovertible evidence of his ability and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He gave to the city a business-like administration in which he brought about various needed reforms and improvements. He is now city attorney, serving his second term, and is caring for the legal interests of Winterset with the same fidelity which he manifested in the discharge of his duties as mayor. With the exception of one year he has continuously been secretary of the school board for twenty-six years and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion. He holds membership with Lotus Lodge, No. 48, K. P., of which he has been district deputy, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, and he and his family are members of the Methodist church. His life work has been of signal service and benefit to his fellow townsmen along various lines. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynote of his character, for those qualities have guided him in all of his relations.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”