Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 4 November 2005

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1006

JOSEPH LUKENS, retired; P. O. Harveysburg; born in Virginia, Dec. 28, 1797, is a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Cleaver) Lukens, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents John and Rachel Lukens, were also native of Pennsylvania, the ancestors of the Lukens family came from Germany. John and Rachel lived and died in their native State. The maternal grandparents were Ezekiel and Mary Cleaver; the Cleaver ancestors came from Wales. Levi Lukens was raised to manhood in Pennsylvania, emigrated to Virginia and was married in Berkeley County, Aug. 8, 1793, and removed to Ohio and located in Warren County in December, 1807, erected a log cabin into which they moved Jan. 1, 1808, the floor of their cabin being made of puncheons, as there were no saw-mills in that early day; here they toiled and labored in opening out their farm, living the true pioneer life, enduring the many hardships of that day, yet enjoying the kindness and sociability of those hardy and honored pioneers. In making their journey from Virginia to Ohio they came through over the mountains in a wagon, and met with a severe loss on the way, their youngest son about two years of age, fell from the wagon, the wheels passed over him from the effects of which he died the same night. When Mr. Lukens first came to Ohio he purchased 500 acres of land near Portsmouth, and 1,000 acres in Greene County, both of which tracts of land he soon after sold, and purchased 1,000 acres in Massie Township, Warren Co., upon which he located as above stated. After which he and his brother-in-law purchased 1,000 acres more land, thus Mr. Lukens became owner of a large amount of land. He built the first saw-mill ever erected in Massie Township. Upon the real estate which he first purchased, Mr. Lukens resided till his death, Jan. 3, 1860, in the 93d year of age, his wife having died Feb. 2, 1831, in her 68 year of age. They had seven children, six grew to maturity, three now survive—Joseph, John and Salathiel. Our subject was with his father till 24 years of age, was married Feb. 13, 1822, to Hannah, daughter of Clayton and Elizabeth Brown, natives of New Jersey, by whom he had five children, four now survive—Levi born Dec. 25, 1822, now a resident of California; Mary born Nov. 28, 1828; Clayton C., born March 20, 1831, and William S. born Aug. 9, 1834. His wife died Feb. 29, 1868, aged 72 years. On June 30, 1870, he was united in marriage with Elsie, daughter of Soloman and Fanny Howland, natives of Dutchess Co., N. Y.; the Howland family being descended from one John Howland from England, who came to America in the "Mayflower." Mr. Lukens has always followed the honest and honorable occupation of a farmer, but being now advanced in years and possessed of an ample competency, has retired from his farm and all active labor and lives on a nice property in the pleasant village of Harveysburg.