PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
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JOHN LOUCK. Among the residents of Fairfield, Greene County, no man stands higher in the community than the above-named gentleman, who is now serving as Clerk of Bath Township, and Justice of the Peace. His honesty, integrity, and sterling worth are well-known, his long residence in the county having given him an extended acquaintance, and the genuine regard of all who know him. His residence in the county began in 1835, and he has been identified more or less prominently with its business interests since that time, as well as in various departments of its public affairs. Although quite advanced in years, he is still hale and hearty, and is an entertaining companion.
Squire Louck was born in Hanover, Pa., January 12, 1813, and at the age of nine years accompanied his parents to Baltimore, Md. Six years later he returned to his native State, taking up his residence with an uncle on a farm. His early education was obtained at subscription schools, which were held in the primitive school house with puncheon floor, greased paper windows, and slab benches and desks. At the age of eighteen years, he apprenticed himself to a shoemaker, with whom he remained nearly three years, after which he began the butcher business in York County, running a shop and wagon at Strinetown. He continued the business until 1835, when, desiring to better his condition in life, he piled his worldly effects into a wagon, and turned his footsteps Westward. On May 1, he crossed the Alleghany River, at Wheeling, Va., and reaching Greene County, Ohio, May 17, located in Fairfield. He engaged in teaming between Urbana, Springfield, Dayton, and Cincinnati, continuing in that occupation until about 1840.
The next enterprise of Squire Louck was to start a boot and shoe store at Fairfield, which was then a stirring place, and he continued the sale and manufacture for four years, when he sold and removed to Indiana with his team. Settling near Rensselaer, Jasper County, he bought a small farm, hut taking sick and not liking farm life, he returned here the same fall. Again engaging in the boot and shoe business, he continued in it until 1858, when he began farming in Bath Township. In 1854 he was elected County Treasurer on the Democratic ticket, and leaving his farm, he resided in Xenia two years, fulfilling the duties of his office. He then located in Fairfield, where he has been engaged in various lines of business.
In 1872, the firm of Louck & Bryan was organized for the sale of groceries, the connection continuing four years, when our subject sold out. The next year he built a store, and again embarked in the business, which two years later he sold to Mr. Evans, from which time his principal occupation has been that of an auctioneer. Having a natural ability for that pursuit, he had engaged in it in 1840, and has done seven-tenths of the auction business within a radius of ten miles.
Besides the office before mentioned, Mr. Louck has served in other capacities as a public servant. In 1868, he became Township Clerk, and has held the office continually since that time. In 1885 he became Justice of the Peace. He has also been a member of the Common Council, and in his younger days served as Constable twelve years. He had some trying experiences while connected in the constablery, but fortunately escaped being shot at in any of them. At the time of the differences between Michigan and Ohio in regard to the northern boundary line of this State, he was Captain of a company of the State Militia. They were called to Xenia, but as the trouble blew over, they soon returned to their homes without having engaged in any contest. Squire Louck is a Democrat, whose first Presidential ballot was cast for Martin Van Buren, and who has staunchly adhered to the party from that time. He has been on the Central Committee, and his personal influence is always given to the party in which he believes. He belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Osborn, and is Past Master of the Royal Arch Masons of Dayton. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
A remarkable event took place seven years ago, it being the celebration of the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Louck, who were married in York County, Pa., February 20, 1833. Mrs. Louck bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Bourke, is a daughter of Thomas Bourke, who was a Pennsylvania farmer, and was born in York County, in 1807. Throughout the long years of her wedded life, she has been a devoted wife and mother, and has manifested at home and abroad the Christian graces which befit a believer in, and professor of Christianity. Five daughters and one son have come to bless her union with our subject: Lucy A. is the wife of A. S. Barton, a plasterer in Springfield; Catherine married A. Barr, who keeps a meat market in Wayne Township, Montgomery County; Mary A. is the wife of J. W. Harrison, a farmer In Hall County, Neb.; Margaret is the wife of William Harrison, a carriage trimmer of Springfield; Laura married Z. T. Hebble, carpenter in Fairfield; John still remains with his parents.
The subject of this sketch is a grandson of George Louck, who was a native of the Province of Alsace, Germany, and a farmer by occupation. He came to America prior to the Revolutionary War, throughout which struggle he fought for American independence, holding the rank of captain. In common with his comrades, he endured many hardships, often sleeping on brush piles to keep out of the water, and suffering for both food and clothing at times. He was an early settler in York County, Pa., where he secured Government land, improved a farm, acquired a competence, and lived to be some four-score and ten years old. He belonged to the Lutheran Church.
George Louck, Jr., who was born in York County, Pa., followed in his father's footsteps as a patriotic citizen, and took part in the War of 1812. He was a butcher, and for a number of years ran a market in Hanover, in his native county. He subsequently removed to Baltimore, Md., which he made his home during the remainder of his life, dying there in 1826, at the age of fifty-eight years, his decease being occasioned by yellow fever. His wife, in her girlhood Miss Catherine Huffman, was also a native of York County, Pa., and of German extraction. Her father, George Huffman, a well-to-do farmer of the same county, took part in both the first and second contests for American release from British tyranny. After the death of her husband, Mrs. George Louck returned to Pennsylvania, whence she was brought to Ohio in 1856, by our subject, her only child who grew up. She after-ward lived in Champaign County, where she died in 1858. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and to her teaching and example our subject owes much of his fine principles and up-right life.
3 Jan 2000