Rev. John L. Lucas, an esteemed citizen of Wheeling, and a minister of the Church of God, is a son of Eli Lucas, formerly a worthy citizen of Belmont county, Ohio. The latter was born in Virginia, but removed to Belmont county, where he was married to Martha A. Barker, a resident of that county, by whom he had eight sons and five daughters, ten of whom survive. The father died in 1866; the mother still resides in Belmont county. The subject of this mention, the third of the children named, was born in Belmont county, March 1, 1836, and in his native county was reared assisting his father, from an early age, in shoemaking, the occupation of the latter. At fifteen years of age he accompanied an uncle to Brown county, Ind., where he remained five years, being occupied during that period in carpentry. He next made his home with an uncle in Marshall county, W. Va., for a short time, and then returning to Belmont county, worked at his trade until 1859, when on February 24, he was married to Chloe M. Lucas, daughter of James Lucas, of Marshall county. He then engaged in farming until, early in 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, First West Virginia cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war. He was a brave and efficient soldier, participating in the battles of Antietam, Gettysburg, Brandy Station, Winchester, Fairfax Court House, Moorefield, Snicker's Gap, Fisher's Hill, Sewall Mountain, and other engagements of less importance. He was once captured but escaped on the second night of his imprisonment. After the war Mr. Lucas resided in Marshall county, and in 1867 he entered the ministry of the Church of God, to which his efforts have since been devoted with both zeal and success. He now has charge of a circuit including Gravel Street, Antioch, Blainville and East Richland, but his residence remains in Wheeling, whither he removed in 1879. He is also the proprietor of a grocery at No. 83 Thirty-third street, which is conducted by his family during his absence. Mr. Lucas is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a republican. By his marriage above mentioned he has had ten children: Doctor F., Elias (deceased), Isabella V., Melinda and Clarinda, twins, Alice V., Jeremiah C., John W., Amanda J. (deceased), and James B.