LUCAS, CADOGAN, MURPHY

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 06:24:24 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, March 18, 1915
Page 2

Son of Pioneer Family Passes
Henry Lucas, Grand Nephew of Don Timoteo Murphy, Succumbs To Illness

In the death of Henry J. Lucas last Friday in Bolinas, another link was severed in the chain which binds the present to the past in Marin county’s romantic history. For Henry Lucas came of a family noted in its earlier and more prosperous days as one of the wealthiest in the county.

With the wealth wee coupled the admirable attributes of hospitality and generosity, and these attributes even attained to a degree that engendered disaster to the fortune of the family.

Henry Lucas was born in this county and had spent most of his life in San Rafael. For many years he had held the position of constable. About two years ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis, and since then his decline has been rapid, until a subsequent stroke which visited him last week, and from which he never rallied. He was 54 years of age.

His father, John Lucas, came here in the early days and joined Don Timoteo Murphy, an uncle, whose history is a part of that of Marin county, and through the latter he became possessed of an immense tract of land, 7,600 acres, that property which now comprises what is known as Lucas Valley. The Lucas home was the property now known as the Freitas Ranch, and it was for many years a social center for the elite of the county. A prodigal and lavish hand provided entertainment for all who entered the always open door.

The tract in recent years has been subdivided into seven of the most valuable ranches in the county. Reverses overtook the Lucas family, and but a tithe of the original value was realized from the immense holdings they once controlled.

Henry Lucas was sent by his father to a university in Ireland for his scholastic training. While there he made an enviable reputation in athletics. Returning to his home here he soon became associated with athletic clubs, notably the Olympic Club, and was active in important contests along the Pacific coast for years. At one time he held the Pacific coast record for the 100 yard dash, the shot put and the broad jump.

The funeral was held Monday at St. Raphael’s church, and a requiem mass was celebrated there at 9:30 o’clock. The interment was private.

He was the son of John and Maria L. Lucas, both of whom preceded him in death, the brother of Mrs. P. J. Cadogan, and Edmond, Maria L., Elizabeth and the late Katie Lucas.