 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas 
The Sherman Democrat October 28, 1936 pg. 1 & 7 DEATH COME TO LOCAL HISTORIAN Did Not Live to See Volume on Which She Worked 15 Years Mrs. W.H. Lucas, 67, prominent civic and clubwoman, and known throughout the southwest as a historian, died at the family home, 811 N. Travis, Tuesday afternoon at 5:15 p.m., following an illness of 3 weeks. Death came to Mrs. Lucas only a few hours before before the schedule arrival of the first printed and bound copy of "History of Grayson County," a work into which she had poured 15 years of her life. Funeral services were held Wednesday at 3 p.m. from the residence, with Dr. Roy H. Bisser officiating. Surviving Mrs. Lucas are her husband; one son, Howard; two daughters, Mrs. Randolph Cole and Miss Elizabeth Lucas; two granddaughters, Misses Nina Evelyn and Martha Sue Cole; and a grandson, Howard Lucas, Jr. CAME HERE AS A CHILD Mrs. Lucas died following a series of heart attacks. She directed a meeting of the Shakespeare club on the day she was stricken. She had lived in Sherman since early childhood, having come with her family from Mississippi, among the pioneer settlers of Grayson County. She was identified prominently with the civic, educational, and religious progress of the county. Through her own fondness of books, she realized the need of a public library in Sherman and fostered this idea in the women's clubs to which she belonged. Out of her dream came Sherman's free public library. PIONEER CLUB WOMAN Mrs. Lucas was one of the pioneer club women of Texas, during the time when women were subjected to criticism for wanting to leave their homes for club work. She was a charter member of the Sherman Shakespeare club organized March 8, 1894 and continued her active membership until her death. She held many offices in the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs and was known throughout the entire federation for her clear vision. When the Sherman civic league was organized, she became a member and assisted in many projects of the league. She was a charter member of the Martha Jefferson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the monument erected in Washington Park, marking the passing of the overland mail, was a result of her planning. PLANS FOR THE MONUMENT The memories for the Confederacy were dear to Mrs. Lucas and the Dixie Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy counted her as an outstanding member. She was part of the planning for the monument to the Confederacy which stands on the courthouse plaza. The youth of the community were ever in her mind and plans. She was interested in the organization of the Camp Fire Girls from its beginning, serving on the first board of sponsors and representatives of the national council. The young people of the community always found her ready to help. She generously allowed them to use her historical material for their school themes, and helped many of them secure higher education. HOBBY WAS HISTORY Mrs. Lucas was the historian of Grayson County and for the past 15 years she spent in collecting data for a printed history. This included trips over this part of the state, many hours of research work in the state library in Austin, and interviews with old residents. The work of her book was completed this past summer and it will be ready for distribution this week. Mrs. Lucas gave freely of her time for the work of the Texas centennial, supplying authoritative information for the planning of historic markers over the county and locating the exact spots for the erection of the markers. During the past few years she prepared two historic pageants for use of the Red RIver fair and these were presented during the fairs. She was a member of the Central Christian Church and a devoted worker in the Bible school. When church schools first became departmentalized, she supervised the changes and conducted many training courses for the leaders. The Sherman Democrat February 8, 1952 pg. 1 LOCAL CHAIN GROCER DIES AT 91 The colorful business career of W.H. Lucas, 91, who built a chain of home-owned grocery stores from a small business started on a "shoe-string" 66 years ago, ended Thursday afternoon when he died at the local hospital after a 7 week illness. Mr. Lucas, a native of Mississippi, had been in failing health for the past 2 years. He came to Sherman in 1885. Funeral services were held at the Central Christian Church, Rev. Robert Badgett, pastor, conducted the services. Burial followed at West Hill, under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. FORMER COUNCILMAN Mr. Lucas was a former member of the city council and had served on the school board for years. He helped to organize the American Bank and Trust Co. and served on its board of directors. When the bank consolidated with the Commercial National Bank, Mr. Lucas was elected to the board of directors of that bank. Mr. Lucas was married to Miss Mattie Davis of Sherman in 1889; she died in 1936. He was a deacon in the Central Christian church and was a former member of the Rotary Club. WILDERNESS STORE Mr. Lucas gained immediate success when he opened Lucas No. 1 in 1886. The little store, which was located near the Texas & Pacific Railroad, was known as the "store in the wilderness." There were no streets in the vicinity at that time. The first Lucas store was operated in partnership with the late J.W. Boyer. In 1900 Mr. Lucas purchased Boyer's interest. At the time of his death, Mr. Lucas operated and was connected with 4 stores in Sherman and was a partner in another. Another store was opened at 1001 N. Grand in 1916 and a third was opened at 211 S. Walnut. In 1928 Mr. Lucal and Mr. W.L. Pratt bought the grocery on the west side of the square and a few months later the Piggly-Wiggly on the east side of the square. Mr. Pratt sold his interests to Mr. Lucas in 1932 and went to Bonham, Texas. In May 1933, Mr. May became a partner in the Piggly Wiggly store. The franchise with Piggly-Wiggly was dropped and the name changed to Lucas and May. PICKLE INTERESTS In 1932 Mr. Lucas and his son brought an interest in the Brice Pickle factory. Other Lucas enterprises included an auto parts store, a hatchery, and a filling station. Survivors include one son, Howard Lucas of Sherman; two daughters, Mrs. Randolph Cole and Miss Elizabeth Lucas, both of Sherman; one brother, Tom Lucas, of Dallas; two sisters, Mrs. B.L. Brice of Sherman, and Mrs. W.J. Harris of Sulphur Springs, Texas; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. West Hill Cemetery Elaine Nall Bay ©2017 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
