Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 07.djvu/72

 LUCAS

LUCAS

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LUCAS, Robert, governor of Iowa Territory, <^as born at Shepherdstown, Va., April 1, 1781 ; son of Capt. William (of the Revolutionary army) and Susannah Lucas, and a descendant of William Feuu. Ue was taught mathematics and

surveying, and re- moved with his pa- rents in 1800 to Ports- mouth, Scioto county, Ohio. He was ap- pointed county sur- veyor in 1803 and justice of the peace for the town of Union in 1805. He was com- missioned lieutenant in the state militia by Governor Tiffin in 1S03, and was pro- moted through the successive grades to that of major-gen- eral in 1818. He was appointed captain in the regular army, March 14, 1812, and was as- signed to the 19th infantry, July 6, 1812. He served on the frontier against the Indians and in Canada against the British, escaping capture at the surrender of General Hull to the British on Aug. Itt, 1812. He returned to Ohio, resigned his commission as captain in the regular army, Jan. 2, 1813, anil was offered the commission Of lieuten- ant-colonel, Feb. 20, 1813, and that of colonel, subsequently, but declined both commissions. He was married, April 3, 1810, to Elizabeth Brown, who died Oct. 18, 1812, and secondly, on March 7, 1816, to Friendly A. Sumner, a native of Vermont. He served as state representative, 1808-09 and 1831-32, and as state senator for four- teen terms, 1814-30 ; and was speaker of the senate, 1829-80. He presided over the first Democratic national convention at Baltimore, May 21, 1832. He resided in Piketon, Pike county, 1816-38 ; was a presidential elector-at-large on the Jackson and Calhoun ticket in 1828, and governor of Ohio, 1832- 86. He removed to Iowa Territory in 1838, having been appointed territorial governor by President Van Buren. During his term he succeeded in settling the boundary line controversy between Missouri and Iowa, organized the public-school system, and enforced the law against the sale of intoxicating liquors. He settled on his farm near Iowa City in 1841 and was a member of the first state constitutional convention in 1846. He died in Iowa City, Iowa, Feb. 7, 1853.

LUCAS, Thomas John, soldier, was born in Lawrenceburg. Ind., Sept. 9, 1826; son of Frederick and Letitia (Netherby) Lucas. His father, a native of Rennes, France, was edu- cated for the priesthood, but became a soldier

under Napoleon and immigrated to the United States in 1816, where he learned the trade of watch-making and worked at his trade in Balti- more, Md., Marietta and Cincinnati, Ohio, and at Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he married and established his home. Thomas learned the trade of watch-mak- er, and in 1847 he enlisted in the 4th Indiana volunteer as drummer boy, and the next day was made 2d lieutenant of the company, and while in service in Mexico was promot- ed 1st lieutenant and adjutant. Ho re- sumed his trade in 1848. In 1861 he raised a company

of volunteers, was chosen captain, joined the 16th Indiana regiment, was promoted lieutenant- colonel, and distinguished himself at Bali's Bluff, Va., where he covered the retreat of the defeated federal army. On Aug. 19, 1862, he was chosen colonel of the regiment, which re-enlisted for three years or during the war. He engaged in the battle of Richmond, Ky., Aug. 28, 1862, and his regiment, after a loss of 200 men, was com- pletely routed, escaped to Lexington, Ky., and was sent to Indianapolis, Ind., and furloughed. The regiment was reorganized, embarked for Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 23, 1862, at which time the officers presented Colonel Lucas with a sword, and in December joined Grant's array at Vicks- burg, being assigned to the 1st brigade, 10th di- vision, 13th army corps. He served at Weisburg, where his regiment covered the retreat from Chickasaw swamp, and at Arkansas Post, where his command made a charge and was the first to gain entrance to the fortifications. He was slightly wounded three times, on account of which he went home on furlough, June 10, 1863. On his return in August, 1863, he was assigned to the command of the post of Vermillionville, La., and was placed at the head of a cavalry brigade, including his own regiment, mounted, Oct. 24, 1863. He served in the Red River expe- dition, commanding the 1st brigade of Gen. A. L. Lee's cavalry division, first in the advance and next in covering the retreat of Banks's army at Alexandria, and led the advance to the Missis- sippi in 1864. He was promoted brigadier-gen- eral of volunteers, Nov. 10, 1864, and commanded his brigade of cavalry in the oj^erations around Mobile, defeated the Confederates at Claiborne, and led raids into western Florida, southern