Lucas, Henry

LUCAS, PRESTON, SMITH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/18/2012 at 09:10:26

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP

Page 780-1

LUCAS, H.--Farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, Ewart. Was born in Washington county, Virginia, in Febraury, 1811. Was born in slavery and was as a slave until 1848, when he bought himself free at the cost of $700. During the Mexican War he was a servant to Captain John Preston, and at the battle of Buena Vista was forced into the ranks. After securing his freedom he went to California and remained three years, after which he returned to Arkansas, where he had seen many of his slavery days. He was married in 1843 to Miss Lotta Smith of Virginia. By this union they have had four children: Walter, John Brown, Charles Theodore, Caine (now deceased). When Mr. Lucas returned from California his family were still in slavery. He bought them off at a cost of $1900. He resided for about seven years at Helena, Arkansas, with his family, after which he came North, locating in Poweshiek county, a short distance from Montezuma. Moved to his present location in 1866. He owns 320 acres of land in Pleasant township and twenty acres of timber in Union. He is numbered among the successful agriculturalists of the township.