WILLIAM H. LUCAS, of the Sullivan Transfer Company, is a native of Turman township, Sullivan county, Indiana, born December 11, 1858, son of Barton R. and Sarah Elizabeth (Weir) Lucas. His father was born in Floyd county, Indiana, October, 1833, of Scotch-Irish descent. The mother was born in Turman township, in 1836, and died in 1872; she was of Irish extraction. The grandfather of William H. Lucas, James Weir, was a native of Ireland, and his wife, Margaret McKee, was born in the United States. James Weir always followed farming for his livelihood, and was among the pioneer settlers of Turman township. Barton R. Lucas, the paternal grandfather, was born in Scotland and came to this country, where he served in the war of 1812 against Great Britain. He also followed agricultural pursuits all of his life.
Barton R. Lucas, the father of William H., was a soldier in the Civil war, and after his return from that conflict engaged in farming, continuing until about 1870, when he retired to Sullivan, where he lived until 1902, and then removed to Bedford, Indiana, his present home. He was twice married, first to Sarah Elizabeth Weir, by whom the following children were born: James B., deceased; William H., of this notice; John A., of Sullivan; Charles E., deceased; Sarah E., deceased; Estella, deceased. For his second wife, Mr. Lucas married Catherine Deckard, by whom he had one daughter-Cora, who is living at Bedford, Indiana.
William H. Lucas was practically reared in Sullivan county, as his father moved to this county when he was a mere boy. Here he was educated in the common schools in Sullivan. When but seventeen years of age, he enlisted, September 12, 1876, in the Seventh United States Cavalry, serving until September 12, 1881. He was stationed with the regiment in Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and the northwest. He was both a private and an orderly sergeant. After the termination of his army service, he turned his attention toward railroading, entering the employ of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, commencing as a brakeman in the passenger service. He was in this position about one year, when he was promoted to conductor on the same road. He ran from Evansville to Terre Haute, following the same until 1887, when he abandoned the road and engaged in the livery business, coupled with a transfer line, which is now styled the Sullivan Transfer Company. At present, his partner is James E. Russell. They have the largest barn in the town of Sullivan. They cater to the hotel service and also to passenger and mail interests.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Lucas is a stanch supporter of the Republican party; he has served two years on the town council and in January, 1908, was elected as chairman of the Republican county central committee. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias fraternities and also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is now serving as the president of the Sullivan County Trotting Association.
An important event in the career of Mr. Lucas was his marriage, October 1, 188, to Lucinda C. Leach, who was born in Grant county, Indiana, April 23, 1857, a daughter of Edmond and Emily (Brewer) Leach, both natives of Indiana, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are the parents of one daughter-Glen, who was born July 26, 1883. She was educated at the high schools of Sullivan and then attended the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music for two years, taking both vocal and instrumental instructions. She was married, July 24, 1903, to Harold C. Bays, and they reside at Culver, Indiana. Mrs. Lucas is a member of the Christian church and much interested in the work of that denomination.