BIO: Charles LUCAS, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ CHARLES LUCAS is one of the most enterprising, industrious and most highly respected farmers of Centre county, his home being at Wallace Run, Boggs township. He was born one mile from that place September 30, 1833, and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county. Joseph and Mary (McKibben) Lucas, grandparents of our subject, were natives of Merlin, Penn., and came to Centre county at an early day. His parents, Charles and Elizabeth (Shirk) Lucas, were natives of Centre county, spending their entire lives in Bald Eagle Valley. The father was the first white man who located there, and crossed the Alleghany Mountains to what is now known as Snow Shoe, Centre county. He was a ship carpenter and a millwright, and went with Perry as ship carpenter during the war of 1812-15, serving with that commander when he won the famous naval victory. Mr. Lucas spent his last days at farming. In politics he was a Democrat, but never sought office. He died on Wallace run, in 1875, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1865, at the age of seventy-four. They had five children: James M., a farmer of Centre county; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Brower, of Minnesota; Charles; and Morgan, a farmer of Boggs township. Charles Lucas, our subject, spent his boyhood days in his parent's home, and attended the district schools. He afterward engaged in lumbering and in farming, and was connected with the nursery business for five years. At the age of twenty-seven he left the old homestead, was married and rented a farm in Union township, whereon he resided some eight years. He then purchased the old homestead, where he has since lived, giving his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. His life has been one of industry and honest toil, and his energy and perseverance are the factors which have brought to him his success. On November 30, 1858, he married Eliza Brower, who was born in Union township, Centre county, February 4, 1840, a daughter of William and Hannah (Resides) Brower, also natives of Centre county, where they spent their entire lives. The father, who was a manufacturer of charcoal, died in 1869, at the age of seventy-two; the mother died in 1872, aged seventy-one years. They had children as follows: Mary A., A. Even-son and John, all deceased; Margaret, widow of James McClincy, of Centre county; Ellen, deceased wife of Benjamin Lucas; Elizabeth, widow of Hiram Talbert, of Union township; Jacob, of Minnesota; William, deceased; Nancy, wife of J. M. Lucas; Sarah, deceased wife of Thomas McClincy, of Oregon; Philip, a farmer of Centre county; Eliza; and Emeline, wife of Enoch Hugg, a merchant of Milesburg. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas became the parents of nine children - five sons and four daughters: Edward, who is living in Pleasant Gap, Centre county; Elizabeth, wife of William Johnson, of Snow Shoe: Hannah, deceased wife of William Rogers, of Tyrone; William E., Mary, Charles S., James S., Franklin. M. and Maggie, all at home. The mother of this family died April 2, 1895, and her taking off was deeply mourned by many friends as well as her immediate family.