Leflore County Biographies John H. Lucas MD Lucas, John H., M. D., of Greenwood, is one of the venerable and representative physicians and surgeons of the State and has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession for two score of years. He is the owner of a fine plantation in Leflore county and is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of this section of the State. Dr. Lucas was born in Lawrence county, Tenn., May 16, 1826, being a son of Dr. Willis and Sallie (Linman) Lucas, both native of Union district, S. C., where the former was born Dec. 6, 1793, and the latter Jan. 2, 1783, thus being a decade older than her husband. Willis Lucas was a skilled and successful physician, having been educated in a leading medical school in Philadelphia, Pa., and he followed his profession until his death, which occurred in 1861, his wife having passed away in 1848. Dr. John H. Lucas remained in Tennessee until he had attained to the age of twenty years, having in the meantime secured good educational advantages. In 1846 he settled in Hinds county, Miss., near the city of Jackson, where he was identified with agricultural pursuits. In 1850 he went to California, joining the great throng of argonauts crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and he was engaged in prospecting for and mining gold in various portions of the State, remaining in California five and one-half years. He then returned to Mississippi and located in Calhoun county, whence he came to the Delta district of the State three years later, having taken up his residence in old Sunflower county in 1857. Here he took up the study of medicine and finally entered a leading medical school in the city of New Orleans, where he amply fortified himself for the practice of his chosen profession. For two years prior to the Civil war Dr. Lucas was engaged in practice in Sunflower county, Miss., but subordinated personal considerations and ambitions to go forth in defense of the Confederate cause. He enlisted as a member of Company C, Fifth Mississippi cavalry and was made assistant surgeon of his regiment in which capacity he acted as long as he remained in the field. On account of poor health, General Polk appointed him to a position in the Tax in Kind department which he held until the close of the war. After the close of the war, the doctor located in McNutt, Sunflower county, Miss., where he was engaged in practice for a few years, during three years of which he served as mayor of the town. He then removed to Leflore county and purchased a small plantation near Greenwood, continuing to reside on this pleasant homestead until 1892, when he removed to Greenwood, with the purpose of retiring, but the demands made upon him by his wide circle of appreciative patrons have caused him to continue in the active work of his profession, while he gives a general supervision to his fine landed estate, which now comprises 1,900 acres, of which 1,000 acres are under effective cultivation. It is divided into two plantations, both in Leflore county, and among the best in this section. It is a well authenticated fact that Ferdinand DeSoto traversed this plantation during his great exploration tour. Dr. Lucas is a stalwart supporter of the principles of ihe Democratic party, and is public-spirited in his attitude, having always been ready to lend his aid in the promotion of worthy objects. In 1857 Dr. Lucas married Miss Mary Rankin, daughter of Adam Rankin, and she died in 1860, leaving one child, Thomas, who has the superintendency of his father's plantation. In 1861 Dr. Lucas wedded Miss Teresa Camp, daughter of Col. B. T. and Jane (Avery) Camp, and they have one child, Sallie A., who is now the wife of W. T. Loggins, president of the First National bank of Greenwood. Source: "MISSISSIPPI -- Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, vol. 2, 1907" BY DUNBAR ROWLAND, LL. D. [Transcribed by: K Torp] This page last updated on -- 23 May 2010 HOME Copyright Genealogy Trails with all rights reserved for original submitters