LUKEN, (Mrs.) JOHANNA , widow of the late Casper Luken, resides in a pleasant home on the home farm, on Section 9, Town 14 North, Range 8 West, near Alexander, Morgan County. Casper Luken was born in Hanover, Germany, November 3, 1842, the son of Henry and Louisa Luken. The family emigrated to America when Casper was thirteen years old. They had but little capital, and Henry Luken worked for others by the month to support his wife and family of six children, who came with him from Germany. Casper was the oldest child and assisted his father in maintaining the household. As conditions improved, Henry Luken bought land and carried on farming during the remainder of his life. Casper Luken secured a good education for a boy of his age in Germany, but was ignorant of the English language, in which he later acquired proficiency. He was industrious, persevering and economical, and made a success of farming, finally accumulating an estate of 480 acres, which, at his death, he bequeathed to his wife and children. There were eight children living at the time of his death, and each child fell heir to forty acres of land.
Mr. Luken's farm was improved beyond the average, with a substantial dwelling, good barns, shade trees, an orchard, etc., all showing taste and culture, and surrounded by well cultivated fields. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, in which he was a Trustee and Elder. Politically, he was a Democrat. He was married March 20, 1873, at Jacksonville, to Johanna Mohlenbruck, who was a native of Germany and came to America with her brother, Fred in 1869. To Mr. and Mrs. Luken were born eight children, viz.: Lena, wife of Herman Aljets; Louise, wife of Rev. P. Fedderson; Sarah, wife of Fred Kloppe; Minnie, wife of George Horn; Casper, Anna, George and Otto.