Captain E. J. Lancaster Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Lancaster, Smith, Johnson, Abbott, Fedderson, Bissick, Hitchcock. Captain E. J. Lancaster is one of the best known river men of the upper Mississippi, having sailed as captain on various steamers since 1866. His personal worth and ability in his chosen field of labor has won him high regard and because of his wide acquaintance his history cannot fail to prove of interest to many of the readers of this volume. He was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, June 23, 1846, a son of Thomas and Cynthia (Smith) Lancaster, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. He comes of Scotch, English and of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. In his boyhood days he was brought to Scott county and in the district schools here acquired his education. Living near the river, he has always been interested in marine matters and, after starting in business life, became closely connected with the navigation interests of the upper Mississippi. In the meantime he had done valuable service for his country as a soldier of the Union army in the Civil war. He was but seventeen years of age when, on the 15th of August, 1863, he enlisted as a private of Company C, Eight Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, with which he served until honorably discharged at Clinton on the 10th of June, 1865. Being captured while on duty he was incarcerated in the Nashville prison for eight months and was later sent to Andersonville, s! o that he underwent all of the hardships of southern prison life. After the close of the war Captain Lancaster was mustered out and with a creditable military record returned to his home in Scott county. Here he has since lived. He at once became connected with navigation interests and has sailed continuously since 1866 as captain. He stands today as one of the foremost representatives of eh calling in this county and has a very wide acquaintance not only among river men but also among the business men who have reason to employ shipping facilities in the transportation of the goods which they may handle. Captain Lancaster was united in marriage to Miss Helen Johnson, a daughter of John and Olive (Abbott) Johnson Her father died in LeClaire, but her mother is still living and makes her home in that place. Captain Lancaster's family numbers eight children: Nora, the wife of John Fedderson, a resident of LeClaire, by whom she has two children, Eli and Fritz Fedderson; Olive Helen, who was born July 21, 1879, and married W. H. Bissick, of St. Louis, Missouri; Alice M., born November 17, 1882; Edna, who was born February 15, 1886, and married C. B. Hitchcock, of Boone, Iowa; Harry E., born October 16, 1887; Lee L., December 23, 1891; Leona M., August 17, 1894; and Harold, January 4, 1896. In his political views Captain Lancaster has always been a stalwart republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party which he regards as best calculated to conserve the public welfare. He holds member ship in Snow Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M., at LeClaire, with which he has been identified since 1882, and his life exemplifies many of the beneficent principles of the craft. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way for he started on the river as a hand on the rafts. He is now, however, in his twenty-eighth year as captain of the boat Eclipse, and he enjoys the high esteem of all with whom social or business relations have brought him in contact. In matters of citizenship, while not an office seeker, he is as true and loyal to his country in days of peace as he was when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES