My Genealogy Hound

THE LUKENS FAMILY. Jan Lucken, the progenitor of the family in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is supposed to have been a native of Crefeldt on the Rhine. In June, 1683, he purchased from Benjamin Furley, an agent of William Penn, while in Rotterdam, two hundred acres of land in America, previous to his coming to this country. He came with thirteen families, principally relatives (of whom eleven were known to have come from Crefeldt). They left Rotterdam for London and set sail on July 24, 1683, in the good ship “Concord,” William Jefferis, master, a vessel of five hundred tons burthen, and arrived at Chester on the Delaware on October 6, 1683. James Claypool, a Quaker merchant, came on the same vessel. Of the passengers of the “Concord,” the German and the Dutch settlers went immediately to Germantown, where Daniel Francis Pastorius had settled a few weeks previous, and soon after the arrival of the new settlers the town of Germantown was laid out, Jan Lucken receiving lot number six of the plan of fifty lots. In “Watson’s Annals” it speaks of Jan Lucken being a constable in Germantown, and he was also sheriff for some time. Jan Lucken brought with him a rare old Dutch Bible, a copy of the third edition of Nicholas Beistkens, the first Bible published by the Mennonites.

Jan Lucken was probably married to his wife Mary (maiden name unknown) before he sailed to this country in 1683. Their children were: 1. Elizabeth, born 7 mo. 28, 1684; she probably died young as her name was not mentioned in the will left by her father, 2. Alitze, born 5 mo. 10, 1686; she was married, 5 mo. 29, 1706, to John Conrad, died previous to her father and left issue. 3. William born 12 mo. 22, 1687-88; he was married, 9 mo. 27, 1710, to Elizabeth Tyson, daughter of Rynier Tyson, and they had a daughter Elizabeth who married Thomas Potts, who was born in 1735, and was a member of and served in the continental congress. Thomas and Elizabeth (Lucken) Potts had among their children a daughter Elizabeth, born in 1760, who married Robert Barnhill, who was born in 1754. To this marriage was born a daughter, Margaret Barnhill, who was born in 1799, became the wife of Cornelius Van Schaik Roosevelt, who was born in 1794, and to their marriage was born a son, Theodore Roosevelt, born in 1831, who married Martha Bullock, born in 1834, and among the children born to them was a son, Theodore Roosevelt, born in 1858, and now (1904) president of the United States of America. He married Alice Lee, born in 1861, and secondly married Edith Kermit Carow, also born in 1861. 4. Sarah, born 7 mo. 19, 1689. 5. John, born 9 mo. 27, 1691; he married Margaret Custerd, 12 mo. 25, 1711 left no issue. 6. Mary, born 11 mo. 18, 1695; she married John Jarratt, formerly of Germantown, and later of Horsham. 7. Peter, born 1 mo. 30, 1697; he married Gainer Evans, 10 mo. 29, 1712, and moved to Horsham township prior to 1734, and among his descendants was John Lukens, the surveyor general of Pennsylvania. 8. Hannah, born 5 mo. 25,1698; she married, 5 mo. 30,1716, Samuel Daniel Pastorius. 9. Matthias, born 8 mo. 3, 1700; he married Ann Johnson daughter of Derrick Johnson, 2 mo. 24, 1721, and he was appointed executor of his father’s will. 10. Abraham, born 7 mo. 16, 1703; he married Mary Maule (sometimes spelled Marle), 2 mo. 24, 1727. 11. Joseph, born g mo. 13, 1705; he married, 7 mo. 30, 1728, Susannah Maule.

After having been in Germantown for a short period of time, Jan Lucken and Abraham Tunes (afterward spelled Tunis) together bought one thousand acres of land in what is now Towamencin township, Montgomery county. This was probably the first land taken up in Towamencin, and was a grant from Penn’s commissioners of property to Benjamin Furley on June 8, 1703. This land was purchased nine days later by Abraham Tunes and Jan Lucken, and in 1709 was equally divided, each taking five hundred acres. This tract embraced the northern part of the township and extended to the present Skippack road, and perhaps as far down as Kulpsville. There they settled, probably in 1709, and upon these lands Jan Lucken made the first improvements, and a portion of this land is still in the possession of some of his descendants. Jan Lucken made his will in Germantown, October 9, 1741, leaving to his son Abraham three hundred acres to be take 1744, and his wife Mary died there in 1742.

In the “Pennsylvania Magazine of G. & B.” vol. 5, page 573, appears the following in relation to the dividing up of the fifty-two lots of land in Germantown; they were all about equal size and were drawn for by lottery.

We, whose names are to these presents subscribed, do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern that soon after our arrival in the Province of Pennsylvania, in October, 1683, to our certain knowledge, Herman Op den Graff, Dirk Op den Graff, and Abraham Op den Graff, as well as ourselves, in the cave of Francis Daniel Pastorius, at Philadelphia, did cast lots for the respective lots which they and we then began to settle at Germantown, and the said Graffs (three brothers), have sold their several lots, each by himself, no less than if a division in writing had been made by them. Witness Our hand On this 29 November, 1709. Lenerts Arets, Thunes Kunder, Abraham Tunes, Jan Lensen, William Streypers, Jan Lucken, Reyner Tyson.

Abraham Lucken, tenth child of Jan and Mary Lucken, married Mary Maule and had the following named children: 1. Margaret, born 2 mo. 12, 1728. 2. John, born 10 mo. 17, 1729; 3. Matthias, born 9 mo. 18, 1731; 4. William, born 2 mo. 23, 1733; 5. Abraham, born 11mo. 21, 1734; 6. David, born 2 mo. 27, 1737; 7. Joseph, born 5 mo. 14, 1739; 8. Mary, born 3 mo. 22, 1741; 9. Job, born 7 mo. 25, 1743. Mary Maule, of Mark the mother of these children, was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Maule, of Bristol township. She died in 1813.

John Lukens, first son and second child of Abraham and Mary (Maule or Marle) Lucken, married about 1753 Rachel Robinson, who was born 2 mo. 22, 1727, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Robinson, of Franconia township, and to this marriage was born the following named children: 1. Abraham, born in 1754; 2. James, born in 1756; 3. John, born in 1758; 4. Job, born in 1759; 5. David, born in 1761, died in 1828; 6. Elisha, born in 1763; 7. Edith, born in 1765; 8. George, born in 1768, married Esther Jones; 9. Jacob, born in 1770.

David Lukens, fifth child of John and Rachel (Robinson) Lukens, married Mary Shepherd, daughter of William and Elizabeth Fronica (Ott) Shepherd, and to this marriage were born the following named children: 1. Dr. Charles William, born 9 mo. 24, 1790, married Sarah Pennock; 2. William Shepherd, born 3 mo. 6, 1793; 3. Elizabeth, born 9 mo. 17, 1795; became the wife of George Shoemaker; 4. Aaron, born 3 mo. 14, 1798, married Ann Foulke; 5. Maria, born 6 mo. 3, 1801, became the wife of Robert Fowler; 6. Rachel, born 7 mo. 25, 1804, became the wife of Samuel Tyson, M. D.; 7. Lewis Augustus, born 4 mo. 8, 1807; married Mary Thomas Wood; 8. Mark Anthony, born 1 mo. 24, 1810; 9. Edward, born 3 mo. 24, 1812.

Lewis A. Lukens, of this review, seventh child and fourth son of and Mary (Shepherd)Lukens, was born 4 mo. 8, 1807. He married Mary Thomas Wood, who was born in 1808, and was a daughter of James and Tacy (Thomas) Wood, of Conshohocken, and to this marriage were born the following named children: 1. Alan Wood, born 2 mo. 21, 1836, married Elizabeth Nevius, of New York, resided at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and their children were: Lewis, who married Edith Clark and they were the parents of four children-Alan W., Edward C., Lewis N., and Elizabeth Lukens; Alan Nelson, who married Emma Banghart, and their children were-Dorothy Van Dyke, and Clara Lukens; Rev. Frank Lukens, who married Edith Churchman, and their children are-Anna and John Lukens; Rev. Victor Herbert, who married Elsie De Witt; and Frederick, who died in infancy. 2. Charles, who was born September 30, 1837, married Annie McFarland, who was born 1 mo. 22, 1843 daughter of James B. and Margaret (Weaver) McFarland. 3. Lewis, born 7 mo. 12, 1840, died 3 mo. 18, 1857. 4. Jawood, born 3 mo. 8, 1843, further mentioned below. 5. Frank, born 6 mo. 10, 1845, died 2 mo. 27, 1862. 6. Mary Shepherd, born 4 mo. 27, 1847, who became the wife of Charles Follen Corson, and died 7 mo. 9, 1877. 7. Clara, born 2 mo. 9, 1850, became the wife of Charles Heber Clark, and her death occurred 6 mo. 6, 1895. She had children: Mary L.; Arthur W., who is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and at present engaged with the J. Ellwood Lee Company of Conshohocken; Frederick L., who is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and, at present a practicing attorney; Robert, who resides at Cleveland, Ohio; and Eleanor Clark. The mother of these children (Mary Thomas Wood) Lukens, died 3 mo. 2, 1892.

Lewis A. Lukens, father of the above mentioned children, learned the trade of a cabinet maker but never followed it, preferring to return to his native town, where with his brother Aaron he engaged for a short time in the lumber business. He then rented a forge in Annville township, Lebanon county, where he engaged for ten years in the manufacture of malleable iron. In 1845 he disposed of his business interests in that vicinity and opened an iron store in Philadelphia, where he remained for a short period of time. He then removed to Bridgeport, on the opposite side of the Schuylkill river from Norristown, where he was engaged for four years in the lumber business. He then purchased a large farm in Whitemarsh township, and for about seven years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1858 he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Alan Wood, under the firm name of Alan Wood & Company, establishing at Conshohocken the extensive business which has ever since been conducted by that firm and its successor, the Alan Wood Company. Mr. Lukens remained a partner until 1877, when he sold his interest to his sons, Charles and Jawood Lukens, and withdrew, living retired ever afterwards. In politics he was a Whig and Republican, and took an active interest in the success of Republican principles. He was a member of the Society of Friends, being an attendant at Plymouth meeting. He served three years as burgess of Conshohocken. He was a director of the First National Bank of Conshohocken for seventeen years, and its president for four years. He was not only a successful business man, accumulating a fortune in the various enterprises in which he was engaged, but he was a most estimable man in every respect, fulfilling every duty with the most conscientious fidelity and care. His death occurred 9 mo. 14, 1899, at the age of ninety-one years.

Charles Lukens, second son of Lewis A. and Mary Thomas (Wood) Lukens, was born September 30, 1837. He obtained his education in private schools in Philadelphia, and at the Academy in Norristown, taught by the Rev. Samuel Aaron. His first employment was with the firm of Alan Wood & Co., sheet iron and plate manufacturers at Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, and in which firm he later became financially interested and was concerned with the firm in its reorganization and its incorporation as the Alan Wood Iron and Steel Company. During the active years of his connection with the firm, Mr. Lukens contributed much to its success by his wise counsel and good business judgment, but in the latter years of his life was not so closely associated with the active management of the firm, owing to failing health. He was a director in the J. Ellwood Lee Company of Conshohocken. Mr. Lukens was a Republican in politics, and served in several responsible positions, including town council, the school board, and others. He was a member of Calvary Episcopal church, Conshohocken, serving until his death in the capacity of warden and vestryman, and for a number of years he was a trustee of the Divinity School, Philadelphia. He was one of the organizers of Charity Hospital, Norristown, and its president until his failing health made it necessary to curtail his activities. He was a splendid type of the Christian gentleman, his life reflecting modesty, affection, and that generous solicitude for his fellows which found its fruit in kindly interest and timely benevolence to those needing a friend.

Mr. Lukens was married to Annie McFarland who was born 1 mo. 22, 1843, daughter of James B. and Margaret (Weaver) McFarland. Their children are:
Margaret, born 6 mo. 7, 1868.

Charles Frederick, born 7 mo. 18, 1870, died 9 mo. 10, 1871.

William Weaver, born 10 mo. 18, 1871. He was educated primarily in the Episcopal Academy of Philadelphia, and this knowledge was supplemented by a full course in the University of Pennsylvania, he being a graduate from the College Department in the class of 1892. He at once became connected with the Alan Wood Iron and Steel Company, in whose service he has continued up to the present time, and on January 1, 1904, he was appointed assistant secretary and treasurer. He married Isabella Macomb Wetherill, daughter of Francis Dreen and Caroline (Jacobs) Wetherill, 1 mo. 12, 1899, and their children are: Francis Dring Wetherill, born 10 mo. 5, 1899, and Charles (2), born 2 mo. 21, 1902.

Dr. George Thomas, born 6 mo. 14, 1875, at Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. He received his early education under private tuition, and then entered the Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia. After completing a course in that institution he became a student in the University of Pennsylvania, taking the regular college course, and graduating from the Department of Arts and Sciences in 1896. He then entered the Medical Department of the institution and was graduated therefrom in 1900. He then carried his medical education still further by serving three years in the capacity of resident physician at the hospitals in Philadelphia. In 1903 he returned to Conshohocken and entered upon the practice of medicine there. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion a member of the Episcopal church.

Mary Shepherd, born 7 mo. 7, 1878.

Charles Lukens, the father of these children, died October 30, 1902.

Jawood Lukens, fourth child of Lewis A. and Mary Thomas (Wood) Lukens, was born at Annville Forge, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, 3 mo. 8, 1843. His early educational training was under private tuition. At the age of twelve he attended the Academy at Norristown, which was under the preceptorship of the Rev. Samuel Aaron, and subsequently was for some time under the instruction of Professor John W. Loch, of Norristown. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of Alan Wood & Company at Conshohocken. In 1862, wishing to study the technical branches of mechanics and civil engineering, Mr. Lukens entered the Polytechnic College of Philadelphia, and graduated from that institution in 1864. He then spent two years at the practice of his profession in various parts of the country. In 1866 he returned to Conshohocken and again became connected with the firm of Alan Wood & Company, continuing until 1874, when he became a member of the firm. He continued his interest with this firm up to the year 1881, when he disposed of his interests. In 1881-82 he spent some time traveling abroad, and upon his return built and established the Longmead Iron Works at Conshohocken. He successfully operated the same up to 1894, when the interests of the establishment were incorporated under the name of the Longmead Iron Company, with Mr. Lukens as president and treasurer. Upon the incorporation of the company the works were enlarged and their capacity increased.

In 1883 the Conshohocken Tube Works were established with Mr. Lukens as president and treasurer, and were operated under his direction up to 1897, when the interests of this institution were consolidated with the Longmead Iron Company, with Mr. Lukens as president of the consolidated interests. The combined establishments are now one of the leading industrial institutions in Conshohocken, and give employment to upward of five hundred operatives and skilled mechanics. The importance of this industry to the borough of Conshohocken, and the men who have been instrumental in their growth and development, have long been recognized as an important nucleus to the enterprise and progress of the borough. In addition to his many and varied interests, Mr. Lukens keeps himself well informed with the progress of the times and takes an active interest in numerous institutions. He is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, a member and director of the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, a member of the Union League Club, the Manufacturers’ Club, and the Art Club of Philadelphia. In politics he is a Republican, has always taken an active interest in local affairs, and at the present time (1904) is serving as a member of the borough council. He is a director of the First National Bank of Conshohocken, and the Quaker City National Bank of Philadelphia.

Mr. Lukens was married, 11 mo. 26, 1868, to Susan Foulke Corson, born 8 mo. 9, 1845, a daughter of Dr. Hiram and Ann J. (Foulke) Corson.