James Hunt Lucas

Male

November 12, 1800

November 9, 1873

St. Louis, MO
Arkansas Territory

Marie Desruisseaux Lucas (May 1832)

James H. Lucas was born in May of 1800 to John B. Lucas and Anne Sebin Lucas. Lucas attended the College of St. Thomas, in Nelson County, Kentucky. In 1817 he went from that state to New Hampshire and later studied law in New York. In 1819 he returned to St. Louis and started by boat for South America, but changed his plans and tarried for a time at Arkansas Post and at Little Rock, reading law in both places and supporting himself by setting type for the Arkansas Gazette and in operating the ferry. He afterward rode the circuit in the practice of his profession, and his growing capacities and powers won to him public attention and led to his selection for honors both within and without the strict path of his profession.

In 1820 he was appointed major of the militia by Governor ...James Miller and later was made judge of the probate court.

On May 10, 1832, James H. Lucas was married to Marie Emilie Des Riusseaux and they had thirteen children.

He returned to St. Louis in October of 1837 at the request of his father. In 1842, his father died leaving his large estate to his two children. Lucas assumed the management of the estate and as the years passed became recognized as one of the most prominent among the builders of the commonwealth through his organization of many progressive movements, his establishment of many large business enterprises and his capable political service.

He acted as state senator from 1844 until 1847 but his ambition was never in the line of office holding. His public spirited citizenship, however, prompted him to put forth effective aid in advancing the interests of St. Louis. His realization of the value of railroad building as the most potent force in the development of a state led him to subscribe one hundred thousand dollars for the construction of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and he was twice elected its president. He assisted in organizing and acted as president of the Gas Company and was a promoter of the Boatmen's Savings Institution.

After 1851 he established a banking house in St. Louis with a branch in San Francisco. In 1853 the business was reorganized, others becoming interested, but on the 21st of October, 1853, owing to the widespread financial panic, both banks failed. Although Mr. Lucas was not legally bound, he assumed the responsibility and paid the entire liabilities with ten per cent interest, at a clear loss to himself of a half million dollars.

His high moral sense was one of his chief characteristics, and though he inherited and controlled an immense fortune, he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another, and, in fact, would rather have met financial loss than to in any way compromise his commercial honor. He built the Lucas Market and gave ten thousand dollars toward the erection of the Southern Hotel. He also gave ten thousand dollars to the Missouri Historical Society and was at all times interested in movements for intellectual and moral progress. He died November 11, 1873, and his wife passed away December 24, 1878. His property was largely invested in real estate, his holdings including two hundred and twenty-five stores and dwellings in St. Louis, which were divided among his eight living children.
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It was believed he attended the Litchfield Law School, but he did not.

Attended St. Thomas College (Dominican Foundation) in Kentucky.
Morris Academy

Business; Political Office

Whig

State Senator (MO) 1844-1848

It was once believed he attend the Law School, but he did not.

Stevens, Walter Barlow. Centennial History of Missouri.St. Louis, MO: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1921.
John Baptiste Charles Lucas Family Papers (1754-1943) Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis. ALS Lucas, William to Lucas, John Baptiste Charles, box 9 March 6, 1818 and March 15, 1818