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CABELL COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
PJSTON@aol.com
December 15, 1999
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II
pg 196
William A. Lucas. Among the alert and enterprising men who during the past
several decades have utilized the opportunities offered at Huntington for
business preferment and attained thereby a full measure of success is William
A. Lucas, whose career is typical of modern progress and advancement, and who
as a man of affairs ranks among the contributors to his community's
betterment. Mr. Lucas, who is engaged in the real estate business, was born
at French Camp, Choctaw County, Mississippi, December 6, 1875, and is a son
of John and Margaret (Carter) Lucas.
John Lucas was born in 1836, at Chester, South Carolina. When the war
between the states came on he enlisted under the colors of the confederacy,
his commanding officer being General Longstreet. Under this leadership he
fought throughout the period of the war, establishing a splendid record for
bravery and faithful performance of duty. At the close of the struggle he
moved to Choctaw County, Mississippi, where he passed the rest of his life in
agricultural operations of some extent, and died at French Camp in 1901, when
sixty-four years of age, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was
a stalwart democrat in his political convictions, was fraternally affiliated
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belonged to the Baptist
Church. Mr. Lucas married Miss Margaret Carter, who was born in 1850, at
french Camp, where she died in 1895. Six children were born to this union:
Minnie Lee, the wife of Charles A. Torbert, a banker of Ackerman,
Mississippi; James Walter, M. D., a physician and surgeon of Moorehead,
Mississippi; Hattie, who died at French Camp when but three years of age;
William A., of this review; Edna, who died at the age of three years; and
Margaret, the wife of Porter W. Berry, superintendent of the agricultural
school at Senatobia, Mississippi.
The early education of William A. Lucas was acquired in the public school at
French Camp, following which he pursued a course in the academy there, and
then enrolled as a student at the University of Mississippi, from which he
was graduated as a member of the class of 1898, receiving the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. While attending college he was a member of the Phi Delta
Theta Greek letter fraternity. After his graduation Mr. Lucas became an
instructor at Jefferson Military College, Washington, Mississippi, and
remained with that institution for a period of eleven years. In 1909, he
came to Huntington, West Virginia, and embarked in the real estate business,
a field in which he has gained something more than ordinary success. His
offices are situated at Nos. 1204-1205 First National Bank Building, and he
is secretary and treasurer of several land companies and enjoys the full
confidence of his associates in his various ventures. In political matters
Mr. Lucas supports the principles and candidates of the democratic party. He
is a member of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, and has been a generous
supporter of worthy civic enterprises.
On June 14, 1905, Mr. Lucas married, at Washington, Adams County,
Mississippi, Miss Fannie Belle Raymond, daughter of Dr. Joseph S. and
Margaret Paxton Raymond, of Rockbridge County, Virginia, both now deceased.
Doctor Raymond was for forty years president of Jefferson College. Mrs.
Lucas is a graduate of a young ladies' seminary. Three children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Lucas: William A., Jr., born May 29, 1906; Margaret
Raymond, born August 3, 1908; and Minnie Lee, born May 3, 1913.
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