This is the second of the Lucas Obituaries that I will be submitting. Charles Swan Lucas is the brother of Thomas Martin Lucas submitted earlier. enjoy!!!!!! ******************************************************************************** Central City Republican - Central City, Nebraska - December 23, 1915 CHARLES SWAN LUCAS One of the greatest pleasures in all life is to view with pride an accomplishment, which is the product of our best mental and physical abilities. In these periods of reflection life comes to have for us a deeper meaning, a real value, and with renewed energies we strive for greater achievements. Our mental satisfaction is governed not by the magnitude of our action so much as by the quality, for there is a no more valued teaching than the golden rule first associated with our childhood days. Our total dependency upon one another is no where more plainly revealed than in our fellow men. All qualities of merit, no matter how strongly emphasized in life, fall short if that one is lacking -- his life gave strength, encouragement and incentive to others. A life upon the memory of which it is a pleasure to linger was that of Charles Swan Lucas. He was born the 12th day of August, 1838, at Carmichaels, Greene County, Pennsylvania, and there and in Tyler County, West Virginia, spent his boyhood days. At the latter place with his parents he resided for seven years. Among the very first to respond to the call to the colors at the outbreak of the Civil War was Charles Lucas, who enlisted in the Union army as second lieutenant of Company I, 8th Pennsylvania Infantry of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. He was commissioned an officer the 29th day of May, 1861, and saw eighteen months of active service, resigning October 3, 1862. Sickness resulting in physical disability demanded that he leave the army. Returning to his home at Carmichaels, Penn., he united in marriage with Miss Lucy Crawford the 25th day of February, 1862. Four sons of Swan Lucas and one stepson, John Litzenburg, enlisted in the Union army shortly following the declaration of war. Charles S. and James Lucas were members of Company I, 8th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Jonas and Thomas of Company F, 1st Pennsylvania Calvary, and John of the 46th Illinois Infantry. James was killed in the Wilderness May 6th, 1864, and John at the battle of Iuka, Miss., in the fall of 1861(sic). Jonas for a period of seventeen months served as a prisoner at Libby, Belle Island and Andersonville, a fate to which death itself would seem favorable in comparison. Following his resignation from the army, Charles never regained his former health, having suffered from the effects of malarial or camp fever contracted during the seven days' campaign of the Chickahominy Retreat. What many men would have considered an unsurmountable handicap in life, Mr. Lucas never permitted to limit his sphere of usefulness. To the last, and he lived a life well rounded out in years, he maintained an activity and and(sic) interest in public affairs that characterized his youth. We know of no other soldiers who looked forward each year to the annual encampment of the Platte Valley District Reunion Association, of which body he was Adjutant, with greater anticipation than did Mr. Lucas. During his service with the army and in the fight of preservation of the union, he gained a devotion for his country rarely equaled. And this devotion was founded upon a deep regard for his fellow man. Mr. Lucas was among the early settlers of our county, and for many years was active in business circles of our city. For a number of weeks prior to his death he had been confined to his home, and in failing condition forced the realization that the end was not afar off. he passed away at an early hour Wednesday morning, December 15th, at the age of 77 years, 4 months and three days. The funeral was held from the home Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. Samuel Conybeare of the Presbyterian Church being in charge. Many were present to join in the paying of tribute to the memory of one, who living had been an upholder of the highest ideals. The active pall bearers were relatives of the deceased, and the honorary pall bearers were chosen from the ranks of the local G. A. R. Services at the grave were under the direction of this body, which with ranks sadly depleted gathered to bid a last adieu to their beloved comrade. Mr. Lucas was laid to rest in the Holden cemetery north of this city. He is survived by his wife, one son and one daughter, to whom he was always deeply devoted. Will for a number of years has been in the government railway mail service, with headquarters at Omaha. Mrs. Chas. Tidd resides at Palmer, and has frequently been a visitor at the home of her parents. The deceased also leaves a brother Thomas of this city, and two half brothers, one of whom resides at Oakland, Cal. and the other at Indianola, Ind. -- Steven W. Hornaday 783 Westfield Ct. Sumter SC, 29154 (803) 494-3027