MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 80
submitted by Ronna Thuman, November 14, 2007

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE
Death of Samuel Lucas.

A brief paragraph in Saturday’s JOURNAL announced the serious illness of Samuel Lucas, of this vicinity. At 2 ½ o’clock Monday a. m. he departed this life. Mr. Lucas was one of the pioneer settlers of this county, having located on the farm where he died, four miles west of this city, in 1838. The land was entered by him in the government land office at Burlington that year. The only settler then in the neighborhood was George Bumgardner, deceased.

Samuel Lucas was born in Pike Co., Ohio, in 1806, and was in his 73d year at the time of his death. Though engaged most of his life in farming, his enterprising spirit branched out on several occasions in other kinds of business. At an early day, with a partner, he built the Slough mill, now no more. In the machinery of this mill his hand was crippled for life. Subsequently he was interested with Geo. W. Humphreys in this city in the sale of goods and the handling of pork. During the California gold excitement he visited that country. Later, he was engaged in some business enterprise with his sons in Kansas.

He possessed much force and decision of character, kept posted in current events and had well defined opinions on questions of public concern, which opinions he was always free to express on proper occasions. He was, in short, a man of sterling worth, honored and respected by all who knew him. But it was as a Christian, and to those who knew him best, that his character shone brightest. When he located here he was a member of the New School Presbyterian Church. He afterwards joined the Congregational Church, in which he was a deacon and an exemplary member.

We are not sufficiently familiar with the family history to speak positively, but we understand the deceased had eight children. Two of them, daughters, are dead. Of the living, George and William are in Kansas, Jesse is in Texas, Joseph in Colorado, and Samuel and Dora are at home, the latter having been for many years afflicted with epilepsy. The widow is also in feeble health, and has the warm sympathy of a large circle of friends in her bereavement.

The funeral took place at two o’clock Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Robbins officiating.

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Old Settlers’ Meeting.

At the Old Settlers’ meeting held in the City Hall, August 6, 1878, in memory of Samuel Lucas, Hon. J. A. Parvin presided until the arrival of our President, Hon. D. C. Richman.

Mr. Foster said another of our number had gone—one of the very earliest; only five present as old; an active and worthy citizen, will known and trusted, and an exemplary Christian, prominent in establishing a church in his own neighborhood, Lucas Grove.

Mr. Parvin said he had familiarly known him for a generation; knew him to be one of the noblest works of God, an honest man, strictly upright in all his dealings. The last time he saw him he was a total wreck—mind gone, and helpless in body—and yet, although the Old Settlers are lessening in number, we must keep up our sympathy and interest in each other.

Our President, D. C. Richman, being now present, said that lately his duties were such that he could not be with us as much as he wished, but never read a call for our coming together without desiring to be with us, and spoke of an intention to have our annual fall meeting.

Mr. Bridgman stated that the friends of the deceased requested that the Old Settlers select the pall bearers, when Messrs. Bridgman, C. Cadle, S. Foster, Wm. Calder, J. A. Parvin and J. Mahin were appointed pall bearers on the part of the Old Settlers.

On motion of Mr. J. Bridgman it was resolved that a notice be put in the papers of Old Settlers to be at the City Cemetery by four o’clock to-morrow afternoon (Wednesday) to assist at the burial.

Messrs. J. A. Parvin, S. Foster and D. C. Cloud were made a committee on resolutions to report to the Secretary.

D. C. RICHMAN, Pres’t.

P. JACKSON, Sec’y

In Memoriam of the Late Samuel Lucas.

The committee appointed at a meeting of the Old Settlers to report on the subject of the death of Samuel Lucas, Esq., submit the following.

Death has again entered our little band and summoned one of our company across “the river,” to meet the Great Judge of all.
“Friend after friend departs.”
In the death of brother Lucas we mourn the loss of a worthy member; a true friend, an honest man, an upright citizen and a consistent Christian. He will join us in our fraternal meetings no more. We shall no more see his manly form and pleasant countenance on our streets. We can never again grasp his friendly hand. As one after another of our company fall from the ranks, let us cherish their memory, imitate their virtues, and strive to live so that we may unite with our friends who have “gone before” and form an unbroken band in that “beautiful country,” “in the sweet bye and bye.”


Resolved, That while we bow in submission to the dispensation of the Great Disposer of events and mourn the loss of a dead brother and faithful friend, we realize that our sympathy is now due the bereaved family, where the vacant chair will constantly remind them of their irreparable loss, where the tears and sighs, although heartrending, can never restore the dear departed, who now, in the “Spirit Land,” awaits their coming to the “Celestial City.” Resolved, That a copy of this report be sent to the family of our deceased brother.


J. A. PARVIN,
SUEL FOSTER,
D. C. CLOUD,
Committee

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