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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA

Hill, July 1; Williamsburg, July 11, 1862; Gettysburg, July 1, 1863; Manassas and Chester Gaps, July 21-23, 1863; Rappahannock Station, Brandy Station and Kitty Ford, August 1 to 3, 1863; Bristoe Station, October 14, 1863; Beverly Ford and Bradley's Station, January 9, 1863; Warrenton Junction, May 3, 1863: Rappahannock Station, September 4-19 and October 10, 1863; Mine run, November 26 and 28, 1863, and the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.     He was captured at the battle of the Wilderness on May 5th, and taken to Andersonville prison, where he was held four months and was then taken to Florence, South Carolina, where he was held three months longer before being exchanged. While in prison at the latter place, he with nine others under a guard of ten men were sent out to gather wood; watching his opportunity, Mr. Luke made a break for freedom, the guard fired at him, but missed, and he made his way into a swamp. Here he carefully concealed himself until night when he tried to make good his escape. He had not proceeded far until he heard the tongueing of blood hounds; but upon their coming up to him he discovered they were not of the ferocious kind, and he easily quieted them, and following their guide some distance came upon a corn field. The owner, not knowing of their presence, fired a gun, and the dogs fled. He then proceeded and coming to a swollen stream, the Great Pedee river, improvised a raft of rails with which he tried to cross it, but in mid stream it parted, and he was forced to swim for the shore. Soon afterward, near Cheraw, North Carolina, about sixty miles from the prison, he was surprised and captured by four Confederates, who returned him to prison.     After retiring from the service he again

taught school a few years, and, in 1871, came to South Fork, where he began his career as a coal producer.     He is at the present time superintendent of the Aurora Coal company, of which he was one of the organizers, a member of Mountain coal company, a member and the manager of the South Fork Supply company, and owner of a third interest in another tract of coal land consisting of seven hundred acres in Adams township, president of the Roaring Springs Land and Mining company, of Joplin, Missouri. This company with a capital stock of $100,000 was organized for the purpose of developing the lead and zinc mines of that section of Missouri. He is also a director of the South Fork Water company. Politically Mr. Luke is a democrat, and as he has always been known to be a staunch friend of the cause of education he has been kept, with the exception of one term, continuously on the board of school directors of his district since the organization in 1871, and is at the present time (1896) secretary of the board.     He has been postmaster at South Fork under both of Cleveland's administrations. In Masonic circles Mr. Luke stands deservedly high, being a member of Summit Lodge, No 312, F. and A. M., Portage Chapter, R. A. M., Oriental Commandery, No 61, Knights Templar.     Mr. Luke has been twice married; his first marital alliance was with Francis P., a daughter of William Davis, of Clarion County, this State, and resulted in the birth of eight children: John Howard, a merchant of South Fork; William Tell; Maggie Oliva and Katie Lenora, deceased; Daniel Wallace, Mary Florence, Josephine and Ralph Waldo, at home.     June 26, 1894, he married as his second wife Catharine, a daughter of Joseph W. Wil-

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