The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1901-05-09
John L. Lucas.

than three quarters of century he
had lived in this world and nearly all |
of that time on the farm near
Marshall where he died. Here he |
was born seventy-six years ago on the
10th of September, 1924.
In 1S4S he was married to Sarah
Carlisle, who for forty-seven years
walked by his side sharing his joys
and sorrows until six years ago the
fifth of this month, the two worlds
swung close together and she stepped
across the abyss of time into the
realms of eternity.
Of the ten children born to them,
three died in infancy, the others are
all living and we're present to look
for the last time upon the face of
him who was so dear. to them and
whose memory they will ever cherish.
In the early years of his married
life Mr.. Lucas united with the M. E.
church and for many years was most
fervent in his devotions. Though al
ways a firm believer in Christianity
and its doctrines all taught by the
church of his choice, for some years
of his life he left off certain forms of
worship he had once practiced.
About ten years ago during severe
illness, at prayer meeting held in
his room new light came to him and
he exclaimed: "Oh for a trumpet
to sound these praises of God to the
ends of the earth," exhorting at the
same time each of his children to
look we'll to his souls salvation. He
lived to see all his children members
of the church and one minister of
the gospel.
Mr.. Lucas was a man of unusual
energy. He had good judgment and
was possessed of large fund of good
sense which made him successful
business man. Of strong convictions
he had the courage to enforce them
and was always fearless in the dis
charge of duty. He was stalwart
figure in his community. AS citi-
zen he stood firmly for what he be-
lieved to be right and when moral
questions were to be decided he was
always found on the right side.
He lived long life. 1t was long
life measured by deeds as well as
years. His life was actuated by a
noble purpose. He scorned anything
that was base and ignoble. No m ar
loved more to have his friends come
and share the hospitality of his home
1t was SO always. In the days long
ago as the writer first knew it, wher
she was there, who is there no longer
now only in memory, but then with
her gentle presence to make home
any man might love.
He lived to make the world about
him brighter for his was a genial
sunny nature. The last time he was
in Rainsboro, only few day before
his death, he was hauling some tiling
and both as he came and as he went
he was heard singing. And yet there
|
shall never forget the first time saw
him after his beloved companion
: went home to Heaven. AS we walk
ed toward the house he said: "Thing
{ are not with me as they were whel
: you used to come to see me, and il
spite of all that can do feel lone
ly sometimes, for if ever there was ;
, good woman in this world she wa
one, and I am just as sure she is il
Heaven today as that am here, ant
1 want to try and live SO that ma,
meet her there"
His was a long life measured by tn
preparation for the life beyond. NJ
man was more concerned about tn
interest of his soul than he. He ex
: pressed a wish at one time that b.
might die with consumption, tina
with the certain knowledge of tn
. end that lingering disease would Civ
him, he would not fail to make tn
! necessary preparation for eternity
And on Monday before his death h
said to the young man.who was work
ing for him, "Iiwill 60 cut to the fiel
with you." But he only stayed a fe,
minutes. He said: ~ ought not t
. be here. Idon't know what the re
suit of this will be, but the importan
(, thing is to be ready"
Religion to him was very sacre
thing. No one ever heard him spea
an idle or careless word about divin
things. In his testimony and hi
conversation there was always tina
gentle Difference that almost hes
fancy to speak of these things les
there might be seeming boastfu
e ness of his own worthiness. Yet
e was not this alone that characterize
a his religious life. 1t was the genuin
Y spirit of reverence innate in hi
4 character. And whether in the 81
t cial meetings of the church or abou
his own fireside, he spoke of thes
: things there was always that gentl
: differential manner.
q For some weeks past his friend
e could note change in his life. H
!. seemed like one who was expecting
:, be called into the presence of hi
sovereign, and his going was not III