"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 498.  Grant County.

JOHN C. LUCE

     In the person of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this
article we have one of the most prominent citizens of the county and one that
has been a leader since his advent here in 1862, thus being one of the first
white men that settled within the borders of Grant county.  In political
matters, as well as in the realm of stock raiser and agriculturist, Mr. Luce has
been a distinguished figure before the people for some time and his influence
has been felt to the remotest corners of the state, having been so prominent in
the political arena that he has been in contest for the supreme office of the
state.
     John C. was born September 20, 1853, in Iowa, and at the age of nine years
was brought by his parents across the plains with ox teams to the Willamette
valley, where they settled near Eugene until 1859, when he removed to
California.  It was as early as July 17, 1862, that Mr. Luce made his way into
this section and engaged in mining and packing to Canyon City from The Dalles.
He discerned the future of the country and accordingly took a pre-emption claim,
where he still lives, three miles west from John Day.  This was one of the first
pieces of government land taken for farming in the county.  To this he has added
until he has a fine estate of five hundred acres, which is used in handling his
large herds of cattle.  He gained his first start in cattle by buying in the
Willamette valley and driving to this section.  Prosperity has followed his
efforts, because of his thrift and his ceaseless efforts in attention to and
wise handling of his cattle, and he has become one among the wealthy stockmen of
the county.  Care and thrift are manifested in all his enterprises and his place
is a model of comfort and neatness.  Mr. Luce has by no means confined his
efforts to raising stock, but has gained distinction in a number of lines in the
county, notably among which is the newspaper realm.  During 1893 and 1894 he
conducted successfully a sheet of merit in John Day, and was one of the most
powerful men in politics in the county.  He was instrumental in organizing the
first Farmers' Alliance in this and Harney counties and has been a leader in it
since.  He was a candidate for Congress against Judge W. R. Ellis, and also was
in the field for gubernatorial honors against Geer, and made a very commendable
race in both cases.
     The marriage of Mr. Luce and Miss Cynthia A., daughter of J. F. Hodson, was
celebrated in 1868, and to them were born the following children:  Lincoln B.;
Chauncey M., deceased; Ruhama B.; Frederick O., deceased; James E., deceased;
William A.; Charles F.; Bertha E.  In 1889 Mrs. Luce was taken from her family
by death and her remains were interred in the Canyon City cemetery.  She was
aged thirty-six years at the time of her demise.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.