BIOGRAPHY: Daniel W. LUKE, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 183
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DANIEL W. LUKE, a coal operator, of South Fork, this county, is a son of John 
and Charlotte (George) Luke, and was born March 23, 1841, in Blacklick township, 
this county.
     He was educated in the common and select schools, and at the age of 
eighteen began teaching and followed it two years. When the clouds of war arose 
he left the school room and took up arms in defence of the flag and the honor of 
the country. He enlisted as a private, but was promoted to a first sergeantcy. 
Among the most important battles and skirmishes in which he took part are the 
following: Great Falls, July 7, 1861; Falmouth, April 18, 1862; Mechanicsville, 
June 26; Chickahominy, June 27, Cold Harbor, on the same day; Culpepper, July 
12; Glendale, Jun 30; Nelson farm, Frazier farm and Turkey Bend, on the same 
date; Gumtown or Gainesville, August 28-29, 1862; Bull Run, August 30; White Oak 
Swamp, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, July 1; Williamsburg, July 11, 1862; 
Gettysburg, July 1, 1863; Manassas and Chester Gaps, July 21-23, 1863; 
Rappahannock Station, Brandy Station and Kitty Ford, August 1 to 3, 1863; 
Bristoe Station, October 14, 1863; Beverly Ford and Bradley's Station, January 
9, 1863; Warrenton Junction, May 3, 1863: Rappahannock Station, September 4-19 
and October 10, 1863; Mine run, November 26 and 28, 1863, and the Wilderness, 
May 5, 1864.
     He was captured at the battle of the Wilderness on May 5th, and taken to 
Andersonville prison, where he was held four months and was then taken to 
Florence, South Carolina, where he was held three months longer before being 
exchanged. While in prison at the latter place, he with nine others under a 
guard of ten men were sent out to gather wood; watching his opportunity, Mr. 
Luke made a break for freedom, the guard fired at him, but missed, and he made 
his way into a swamp. Here he carefully concealed himself until night when he 
tried to make good his escape. He had not proceeded far until he heard the 
tongueing of blood hounds; but upon their coming up to him he discovered they 
were not of the ferocious kind, and he easily quieted them, and following their 
guide some distance came upon a corn field. The owner, not knowing of their 
presence, fired a gun, and the dogs fled. He then proceeded and coming to a 
swollen stream, the Great Pedee river, improvised a raft of rails with which he 
tried to cross it, but in mid stream it parted, and he was forced to swim for 
the shore. Soon afterward, near Cheraw, North Carolina, about sixty miles from 
the prison, he was surprised and captured by four Confederates, who returned him 
to prison.
     After retiring from the service he again taught school a few years, and, in 
1871, came to South Fork, where he began his career as a coal producer.
     He is at the present time superintendent of the Aurora Coal company, of 
which he was one of the organizers, a member of Mountain coal company, a member 
and the manager of the South Fork Supply company, and owner of a third interest 
in another tract of coal land consisting of seven hundred acres in Adams 
township, president of the Roaring Springs Land and Mining company, of Joplin, 
Missouri. This company with a capital stock of $100,000 was organized for the 
purpose of developing the lead and zinc mines of that section of Missouri. He is 
also a director of the South Fork Water company. Politically Mr. Luke is a 
democrat, and as he has always been known to be a staunch friend of the cause of 
education he has been kept, with the exception of one term, continuously on the 
board of school directors of his district since the organization in 1871, and is 
at the present time (1896) secretary of the board.
     He has been postmaster at South Fork under both of Cleveland's 
administrations. In Masonic circles Mr. Luke stands deservedly high, being a 
member of Summit Lodge, No 312, F. and A. M., Portage Chapter, R. A. M., 
Oriental Commandery, No 61, Knights Templar.
     Mr. Luke has been twice married; his first marital alliance was with 
Francis P., a daughter of William Davis, of Clarion County, this State, and 
resulted in the birth of eight children: John Howard, a merchant of South Fork; 
William Tell; Maggie Oliva and Katie Lenora, deceased; Daniel Wallace, Mary 
Florence, Josephine and Ralph Waldo, at home.
     June 26, 1894, he married as his second wife Catharine, a daughter of 
Joseph W. Wilson, of Blair county, and one child, Laban Lee, has blessed this 
union.
     Daniel W. Luke was born to the inheritance of a noble character and a good 
name, which he has preserved through every trial and vicissitude of life. He is 
one of the representative business men of the State who have not only deserved 
success, but won it.
     As a soldier he shirked no duty, but fought well and gallantly the battles 
of his country, and well won a reputation for bravery and courage that will 
shine with increasing lustre until the final roll call.
     Mr. Luke, since the age of eighteen, has been a consistent and earnest 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a worker in the cause of 
Christianity, and it is with happy satisfaction he realized the fact that his 
family are following in his footsteps. This to him is more to be desired than 
honor or great gain.