Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-11-30

formally dedicated on the afternoon OF NO
vember "a. M mbers OF the club In gooe
numbers were present and few guests
Refc shments were served at D O'CLOCK
The club was organized IN the summer o.
1898. and now has 80 members. WINE
in Walpole the governor and his wife were
also entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Amory
and Judge and Mrs. Bellows. They lei'
on the early train Saturday morning.
| HARRIETT REBECCA LUCKE.
Mrs. Harriet Rebecca Lucke died at
| Walpole November oath, in the 79th year
of her age, in the pleasant house on Wash
ington Square, in which she was born and
where she had lived during the whole OF her
long life, with the exception OF only tour
years which she passed with her husband
in Richmond, Va, Immediately after her
marriage.
| Mrs. Lucke was descended from the
Watkins family, one of the most notable
and numerous of the old Walpole families.
She was the granddaughter OF Alexander
Watkins, who settled here in 1777, and
daughter of his son, George Watkins, and
Rebecca Wipr, his wife. She was born
June %, 1921, and was married to CHRIS
tan B. Lucke at WalpoIe, December IL,
1S43.
Her husband was born at Richmond,
Va, February 8. 1922, and came from
a fine old Virginia family. He was sent
north to pursue and complete his studies IN
the then celebrated Walpole ACADEMY,
and while student met and won his wife,
and married when but little over 81. He
took his wife to Richmond where they
lived for four years, and then the climate
proving unsuited to Mrs. Lucke they
r turned to Walpole. Shortly after their
return, Mr.. Lucke became interested in
the Cheshire railroad, then in process OF
construction, and embarked a large share
OF his considerable means in this enter
prise, which for years proved unremunera-
tive. His connection with this railroad
lead him to take the position of station
agent in its employ, first for short period
at Cold River, and then at Walpole. He
continued in those positions for 81 years,
and during the most OF the time also car
ried on in connection with his railroad
work an extensive business as grain
merchant. Mr.. Lucke was a highly
respected member of the community, wise
and prudent, with that punct,lious regard
for his honor and his word that well be6t-
ted his southern birth. He held many
town offices, served in the legislature, and
was especially noted for the exact and
accurate manner in which for many years
! he conducted the difficult duties of tax COL
lector. August 81, 1885, bis death ter
minated long and singu!arly happy mar
ried life.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lucke had two children.
Gustavus, born February %, 1913, and
died at Sherbrooke, P. Q July 9, 1894,
and Virginia Mary born F, brusry 3, 1858,
and died August 81, 1859.
The career of Col. Gustavus Lucke
should be briefly mentioned, although so
noticeable and recent that it is some II hat
| familiar, because the relation between the
mother and son was so close and tender
that it had marked influence on Mrs
Lucke's declining years. Col. Lucke be-
gan his business lite as telegraph ~ -
tor in the employ of the Cheshire raj.u4&
but always working for something o-ljar
he entered the employ of a LEADING glas.
and crockery house in Boston, m ista.ed
that business and then passed on to Shsr-
brooke, p. @. There in connec ion Nth
J. s. Mitchell he established a crockery
and hardware house, which the firm som
mad the leading establishment in that line
In Canada, outside of Montreal aud Que
bee. Here in gerry few years he sccumu-
lated considerable property and a reputa-
ton throughout Canada as keen, saga
cious and honorable BUSINESS man. He
served on the staff of Gov. Weston, and
during President Cleveand's first term
held the position of U. S. consul at Sher.
brooke to the entire satisfaction CT the
government and public.
| Mrs. Lucke was pre-eminently home
woman, her husband, children and home
| filled her life to completeness and the
| dome tic trials that came one after another
were cruelty hard for her to bear. The
sad death of her daughter, even after so
brief a life, was her first heavy burden.
The loss of her husband after long and
distressing sickness, seemed more than she
could bear, but she still bad her son left.
Nine years later he too was suddenly taken
from her, while in the full tide of success
full business life. Even then she bravely
tried to rally but nature rebelled from fur
thur struggle from that time until death
came to her, kind relief
So long life brought all her townsfolk
in close and intimate terms with Mrs.
Lucke. While she cared but little for
society in the ordinary acceptance of the
term, she was most social in her nature
and drew all her neighbors to her, and
made her house on "the Common" one OF
those quiet, helpful village centers whose
mild hight penetrates, cheers ard strength
ems many other hearts and homes.
Mrs. Lucke was woman of decided
views and firm convictions. She was, like
her husband and son, devoted adherent
OF the Unitarian church and equally at
tached to the democratic political faith.
She possessed bright and active brain,
sound common sense, and the New Eng
land housewifely instinct, and with these
more practical qualities SO attractive and
winning q personality that she endeared
herself to all who came in contact with her
and made them happier and better for her
lite. None can bring back to her we'll
known home the charm she gave it, but the
memory can never quite fade away.
During the greater part OF Mrs Lucke's
life in Walpo e, her sister, Mrs Fanny