Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Luther, Frederick A ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 3:02 am Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907 FREDERICK A. LUTHER. At a very early period in the colonization of the new world the Luther family was established in America. The first representative of the name of whom we have authentic record was Captain John S. Luther, a sea- faring man and commander of a merchant vessel. He was of German descent but was born in Ireland and that he established his home in the new world at a very early day is indicated by the fact that his death occurred here in 1645. He was treacherously killed by Indians while trading with them on the Delaware river. He left two sons: Samuel, born in 1630; and Hezekiah, in 1640. The elder, Samuel Luther, married, and unto him and his wife Mary were born ten children. The ancestors of our subject in the succeeding generation were Samuel and Sarah Luther, natives of New England, the former born October 25, 1663. Their son, Caleb Luther, was born in 1691 and wedded Mary Cole, by whom he had six children. The fifth in order of birth in this family was Jabez Luther, grandfather of our subject. He was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, November 26, 1776. In his boyhood he was noted for great love of learning but he had limited school privileges. He, however, obtained knowledge from every possible source and possessed a retentive memory. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and expected to follow it as a life occupation. About this time, however, thought of marriage and the establishment of a home of his own entered his mind and his attention centered on a young lady of his acquaintance. An envious maiden, however, hinted to him that she was the recipient of attentions from other favored admirers and this led Jabez Luther to determine to follow the sea. He shipped on a merchant vessel for the West Indies, returning to his uncle's home after four years of sea-faring life. This was on the eve of Independence Day of 1805 and while assisting in the firing of a cannon a premature discharge shattered both his hands. To many a man of less resolute spirit this would have seemed a difficulty too great to be endured but he possessed an independent spirit and determined not to let the disaster down him. After the amputation of both of his arms he made plans whereby "machines," as he called them, were manufactured and fitted on to the stumps of arms which remained. Thus equipped he took up the battle of life anew and not only learned to handle all kinds of machinery and tools but also to write. After teaching for a little while he embarked in merchandising. In 1805 he was married to his youthful and only choice, Miss Elizabeth Parkman, a daughter of Elias Parkman of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. She was born there, September 20, 1780. Her mother's name was Liscomb. Owing to her father's early death she lived for some years with a maternal aunt. To her husband she proved a most faithful companion and helpmate. She possessed rare capabilities and the atmosphere of the home life was one of great thoughtfulness and delicacy. In 1810 Jabez Luther purchased a tract of land in Berkshire, Vermont, and successfully carried on the farm work. The war of 1812 came on bringing with it distress and hardships, and Mr. Luther, like many others, was a victim of the embargo act, which caused his financial ruin. He then removed with his family to Pittsford, Vermont. He knew no such word as fail and in order to provide for his family he taught school for several successive winters. He also again took up the work of farming. He was elected to offices of honor and trust, for a long time performing the duties of justice of the peace. Later he returned to Cornish, New Hampshire. There he began the manufacture of grain cradles and in this enterprise met with success. He was one of the world's heroes, possessing a nature that enabled him to triumph over difficulties and obstacles which would utterly have disheartened many men. He possessed much inventive genius and business ability, which found exemplification in his capable management of many interests and his adaptability to the varied conditions which time and fate wrought. Charles Luther, son of Jabez Luther, was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont, June 30, 1819, and spent the first twelve years of his life there. He was married there in 1844 and in 1848 removed to Illinois, settling on a farm in Kankakee county. In 1865 he removed to Wilmington township. He had traveled westward by rail and the lakes to Chicago and by canal to Lockport, thence by team to Kankakee county, where he located one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land with a soldier's claim, which cost him one hundred dollars. The following year, in 1849, he returned to Vermont, for his wife and two children. In the meantime he had cut the trees and sawed the timber into lumber, with which he built a house. He broke the wild prairie with ox teams and improved the land, thus making a start in a pioneer district. He had been a school teacher in Vermont and he followed that profession in the winter months in Kankakee county. As stated, he afterward became a resident of Wilmington township, Will county, where his last days were passed, dying December 31, 1890. His wife bore the maiden name of Lucy Holland and was born July 3, 1825, in the Green Mountain state. They were there married October 22, 1844, and she is now living with our subject. Mr. Luther was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in New England and he assisted in supporting the New Jerusalem church in Wilmington. In politics he was a Douglas democrat. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Charles Luther were born three children: Julius, who was born July 7, 1846, and died May 26, 1886; Charles W., who was born December 9, 1848, and died September 2, 1855, and Frederick A., of this review. Frederick A. Luther, whose name introduces this record, was born in Kankakee county, Illinois, March 28, 1855, and was therefore a lad of ten years at the time of his parents' removal to Will county. He was reared to farm work and throughout his entire life has carried on general agricultural pursuits. On the 8th of September, 1877, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Mary E. Thomas, who was born in Yorkshire England, January 10, 1856, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Lister) Thomas, who were natives of England and were there married January 14, 1847. The father, who was born March 12, 1819. died on the 22d of March, 1873. The mother, who was born December 24, 1822, is now living in Tingley, Iowa. In their family were seven children, of whom four yet survive: Robert L., who is married and lives in Wisconsin; Mrs. Luther; Annie, who married G. Q. Immerzeel and lives in Iowa; and Lucy, the wife of Dr. L. R. Hinsdale, of Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Thomas was a farmer and blacksmith in England and in 1865 emigrated to the new world, settling in Florence township, Will county, Illinois, where he devoted his remaining days to general agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife were members of the Church of England. Soon after his marriage Frederick A. Luther began farming on his own account, having eighty acres of land which he cultivated and improved. He is today farming two hundred acres of rich and arable soil and has an excellent farm property, equipped with modern machinery and all the appliances of a model farm. He has upon the place a fine home and substantial barns, and the farm is conveniently and pleasantly located about a mile and a half northwest of Wilmington. At one time he was engaged in the breeding of Percheron horses, but is not connected with that line of business at the present time. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Luther have been born two children: Charles J. and John H., the former born April 4, 1879, and the latter June 18, 1884. The elder son married Blanche Magrew and they have one son, Julius Magrew, born May 17, 1905. Frederick A. Luther and his wife are members of the New Jerusalem church. In politics he is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county and throughout the entire period he has been connected with farming interests, being today a leading representative of agricultural life in this part of the state. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/luther2423nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 9.0 Kb