Hello All, I have several Lucas obituaries from Merrick County, Nebraska that I will be posting. This Lucas family originated in Greene County, PA. I have found some possible errors in these obituaries such as incorrect years. I have tried to denote those errors by placing [sic] next to the error. I have not changed anything in the obituaries. If you would like to know what the possible error is please email me and I will try and respond as soon as I can. Enjoy and Happy New Year Steve shornaday@ftc-i.net ********************************************************************************** Central City Republican - Central City, Nebraska - Thursday, March 18, 1926 THOMAS LUCAS ANSWERS SUMMONS Thomas Lucas, veteran of the Civil War and a most respected pioneer resident of Central City and Merrick County, passed away Wednesday, following a gradual decline, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Chas. Gregg, at Fullerton. He attained the age of 89 years, 4 months and 1 day. His death marks the passing of another who played an important role in the developement of Merrick County, and the sympathy of the community is extended the bereaved ones. An obituary will appear in our next issue. The funeral will be held from the Methodist Church in this city on Friday afternoon, March 19th, at 2:00 o'clock. ********************************************************************************* Central City Republican - Central City, Nebraska - Thursday, March 25, 1926 CAPTAIN THOS. LUCAS ------------------------------------- Captain Thomas Lucas was born in Carmichaels, Green(sic) County, Pennsylvania, on the 16th day of November, 1836, being the second son of Permelia Emery and Swan Lucas. He attended school at Green Academy in the town of his birth. Shortly after his marriage he joined the company being formed in Green County, and became a soldier of the Civil War. This was Company F., First Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry and was organized by Capt. Harper in August, 1861. Mr Lucas was promoted from the rank of sergeant to that of first lieutenant in 1962(sic) and yas(sic) later made captain at the death of Alexander Davidson. This company participated in seventeen engagements, and comrades in arms testify that Captain Lucas was an officer greatly beloved by his men because of his kindness and respect shown by him to those under his command. He was also admired for his physical powers, bravery in action and his clean moral attributes. Captain Lucas treasured the many friendships formed during the War through the years of his long life. One of the most intimate was that of James K. Gregg, a lieutenant of Company F. Another Charles Smith, Bishop of the Methodist Church, who had served in the same regiment. Mr. Lucas retained in his possession the flag his company had carried through the Civil War, and this will now pass into the possession of the Historical Society at Waynesburg, Pa. Following the War Captain Lucas established his home at Rice's Landing, Pa. There he served several years as postmaster, and later owned and operated a planing mill. It was while engaged in this business that he saved four people from death by drowning. He and another citizen took the initiative that resulted in the building of the first Methodist church in Rice's Landing, and he remained active in the service throughout life. Captain Lucas came to Nebraska in the year 1885, and settled in Merrick County in the Pierce Chapel district, where he was for years a most active supporter of the M. E. church. He was numbered with the early settlers and endured many hardships while striving for the education of his children and the welfare of his family. Mr. Lucas was a man of strict integrity, a citizen of the highest type and his friendship was a distinct asset. He was ever active in the ranks of the Grand Army, and with the other members of the organization shared in the meetings of the Luncheon Club. He was raised to the degree of Master Mason at Carmichaels, Pa., the town of his birth in 1861. During his residence in Merrick County he was affiliated with Lone Tree Lodge No. 36 of Central City, and held the Gordan medal as the oldest member. Mr. Lucas was for sixty-two years a subscriber to the Waynesburg Republican, published at Waynesburg, Pa. Captain Lucas passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. A. Gregg, in Fullerton on Wednesday, the 17th day of March. Death was attributed to a natural decline, he having attained the age of 89 years, 4 months and 1 day. His passing marks another vacancy in the ranks of those who dedicated their brain and brawn to the development of Merrick County on a sound-business and moral foundation. Children surviving their beloved father are: Mrs. Permelia Bayard of Rice's Landing, Pa.; Mrs. Elizabeth Knestrick of Washington, Pa.; Mrs. Lucy Rose of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Mrs. Emma Gregg of Fullerton, Neb.; Mrs. Anna Lindley of Central City, Neb.; Mrs. Lula Atherton of Vergennes, Vt.; Charles W. Lucas of Central City, Neb.; Thomas Martin Lucas of Missouri Valley, Ia. He also leaves thirty grandchildren and twenty-seven great grandchildren. The funeral service was held Friday afternoon, March 19th at 2:00 o'clock at the Methodist Church in this city, with Rev. H. G. Langley of Geneva in charge. Mr. Lucas and Rev. Langley became close friends during the pastorate of the latter in Central City. A large concourse of old friends and neighbors assembled to pay their tribute to a man of sterling character, and the floral offering breathed a silent message of love and esteem. Internment was in the Central City cemetery. -- Steven W. Hornaday 783 Westfield Ct. Sumter SC, 29154 (803) 494-3027