GEORGE LUCAS (deceased) was for half a century well known in Sarnia as a business man and leader in political circles and was one of the pioneers of the place, being one of the first to settle in these parts. The Lucas family is of Irish and Welsh extraction, an early record establishing the fact of the birth and death of William Lucas, the grandfather of George Lucas, in Ireland, where he reared a numerous family. James Lucas, son of William, and the father of the late George Lucas, of Sarnia, was born in Ireland, and there married Miss Susan Leach. Prior to the year 1800, James Lucas, with his wife and two children, one son and one daughter, started for Canada. The son died on board ship during the voyage. The bereft parents and their remaining child settled in the new land, locating in Lanark County, Ontario, and there they had other children born to them. Their land was cleared, their means accumulated, and there they died. George Lucas, son of James, was born in 1820 in the Lanark County home, and was there reared to young manhood. In 1845 he came to Sarnia, opening up a saddler business and purchasing much land. His real estate included the property now owned by his son George Lucas, of Sarnia ; that occupied by the livery establishment of James Lucas, and also about 300 acres in Sarnia township, 200 acres in Sombra township and eighty acres in Plympton township. In 1882 he settled on a farm in Sarnia Township, but later removed into the city, where he died July 13, 1895. He was conspicuous as a leader in local politics, always as a strong Conservative, and fearlessly voted that ticket when only five members supporting the same principles could be found in the town and township of Sarnia. He served as a member of the council in Sarnia. Being a man of the kindest instincts and most generous disposition, he was dearly beloved by his kindred and nearest friends, while he very often demonstrated his belief that any neighbor in trouble must be treated as a brother. As is frequently the case, he suffered at times from the basest ingratitude. He was very successful in his business ventures, and at one time was quite wealthy, but he lost all he had accumulated by indorsing paper for friends. In 1850 Air. Lucas was united in marriage with Margaret Taylor, who was born in Canada in 1825, a daughter of George Taylor, who was of English origin. Shestill resides in Sarnia, the circle of an affectionate family. Both she and her husband belonged to the Church of England from youth. The children born to them were: George; James, of whom mention is made in another part of this volume; Benjamin, also is a commercial traveler, of Detroit, Michigan; David W. H. and Wellington R. I., both confectioners in Sarnia; Susan Taylor, of Sarnia; Rebecca, who is the wife of John Lowrie, of Toronto, Out. ; Caroline, widow of O. C. Watson; and Emily, who is the wife of John Inkster, of Omaha, Nebraska. All the sons have inherited the father s business ability, and are in comfortable circumstances. George Lucas was born in November, 1850, in Sarnia, where he was reared and educated. Upon reaching maturity he learned the saddlery business with his father, and has continued in the same line to the present time, having for years occupied a position among the substantial business men of Sarnia. Like his father he is identified with the Conservative party, in which he is very active and exerts a wide influence. Mr. Lucas has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and for fourteen years was a member of the board of education of Sarnia, being its chairman for two years, and for five years serving as chairman of the managing committee of both the Collegiate Institute and the public schools. Fraternally he is associated with the Royal Arcanum and the I. O. O. F. In March, 1875, Mr. Lucas married Miss Elizabeth Moore, a daughter of Richard Moore who came to Canada in 1866 from Ireland, where Mrs. Lucas was born. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, six in number, all survive except the eldest, George Alexander; Bessie A., a graduate of the Institute of Sarnia, married George B.
Shaw, of Toronto, Out; Frederick James, also a graduate of the Institute, is engaged in the hardware business at Sarnia; Francis Oliver is in college; and Susan May and Gordon St. Claire is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are consistent and devout members of the Church of England. They are persons of education and refinement, deeply and intelligently interested in educational and moral movements, and exerting an influence very generally recognized.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF THE
COUNTY OF LAMBTON
ONTARIO
COMPILED BY
J. H. BEERS & CO., TORONTO