ALBERTUS T. LUCAS.

Picture publish date 1905.
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ALBERTUS T. LUCAS.

Albertus T. Lucas, sheriff of Shawnee County, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is serving his second term in that capacity and is widely known throughout this section of the State. He has been a resident of Topeka since early youth, and has been identified with numerous enterprises in this city. He was born at Brimfield, Illinois, July 26, 1867, and is one of four children born to John E. and Gruetta (Wilson) Lucas.

John E. Lucas was born at Warsaw, Indiana, where he was reared, later moving to Peoria, Illinois, and finally in 1868 coming to Shawnee County, Kansas. For 12 years he followed farming in Mission and Auburn townships and became a resident of Topeka in 1880. He has long been identified with city affairs in various departments and lately served as city detective. On April 17, 1905, he received the appointment of under sheriff of Shawnee County. He is a citizen of manly attributes, strictly honest and of unquestioned integrity, and possesses the good will and esteem of his fellow-men.

Albertus T. Lucas was less than a year old when he came to Shawnee County with his parents, who settled on a farm in Mission township. Later they moved to another farm, in Auburn township, and in 1880 established the family home in Topeka. Our subject grew to manhood in Shawnee County and received a good education in the country schools and in the schools of the city. Upon arriving at man's estate, he engaged in the livery business and after a time had charge of the money wagon of the Wells, Fargo & Company Express. He next served as steward of the Elk Club and then two years as deputy sheriff. Upon giving up the latter business, he conducted a laundry for one year, after which he sold out and engaged as traveling salesman for a large packing company.

Three years later, in the spring of  1901, he was elected sheriff of Shawnee County on the Republican ticket, receiving a majority of 1,315 votes over Frank M. Stahl and Dan. Markem, Independent and Democratic nominees. He was re-elected November 8, 1904, with little opposition, leading the ticket with a majority of 5,097 over Dan Markem, whom he has twice defeated. He is unswerving in his support of the Republican party. Through his faithful and honest administration of the affairs of the office of sheriff, he stands well in the esteem of the general public.

On January 22, 1896, Mr. Lucas was united in marriage with Mary Miller, a daughter of Bradford Miller, who has been mayor of Topeka, county treasurer and county commissioner. They have one child, Helen. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen and United Commercial Travelers.