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From a history of the city of Scranton,
PA
John Lincoln Lutsey
When the commanders of the English
army which was striving to quench the flames of liberty that
were raging in the heart of every American during that terrible
revolutionary period called upon their ruler for reinforcements
and the paid hosts of the Germany army were pressed into
service in answer to their call, little did they imagine the
ultimate consequences. To them the Hessian troops were but
instruments of war, to be used and returned to the government
from which they were obtained, instead, many remained in
America when the conflict was over and became the heads of
families that are today among the proudest in the United
States. When an army leaves conquered territory there are
always stragglers who remain behind in the hope of acquiring
spoils and booty, but such was not the case with those who
deserted from the departing English army, for two reasons, the
victory of the colonies and the impoverished condition of the
land after the ravages of seven years’ warfare. Those who
left their regiments to take a part in the erection of a
government they had fought desperately to prevent did so
because the undying spirit with which the colonists had striven
for a principle by which they were determined to stand or fall
had inspired their enemies with respect and honor, and had
given birth to a desire to share in the greatness and
prosperity of a nation with a foundation of so sturdy and so
enduring a fabric.
1. Such a one was John Lutsey, and the
ship that carried away his former comrades carried with it all
the allegiance he owed by pledge to England, or by birth to his
mother country, and left him, in spirit, sympathy and fact, an
American. He soon after married, in Connecticut, a widow, Mrs.
Elizabeth Gilbert, and settled in Slocum township, Luzerne
County, Pennsylvania. Although war had formerly been his trade,
and despite the fact that he had held membership in the most
dreaded of military bodies, the German Hessians, he made one of
the gentlest arts of peace, farming, his occupation, and was so
engaged at his death.
2. William Lutsey, son of John and
Elizabeth (Gilbert) Lutsey, was born in Slocum township,
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and there followed the same
occupation as his father, the tilling of the soil. The larder
of the families of those days was more often dependent upon the
rifle of the master of the house than upon a local butcher, and
William Lutsey gained a local reputation for his accuracy of
aim and his skill as a hunter. He married Rachel Payne.
3. Edward Lutsey, son of William and
Rachel (Payne) Lutsey, was born in Slocum township, Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1926. He was educated in the
place of his birth, and in early life followed agriculture as a
livelihood, abandoning this to establish as a merchant in
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Not finding mercantile life to his
liking he sold his business and moved to Clarks Green, once
more becoming a farmer and so remaining until his death. He was
held in high regard by his townsmen and neighbors, and was by
them placed in many positions of public responsibility, among
them the offices of supervisor and town clerk. His religion was
the Methodist, and of the services of this church he was a
regular attendant. He married Amanda, daughter of Stephen and
Jane (Lines) Lee. Stephen Lee was a son of James Lee, one of
the pioneer settlers of Newport township, Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania. After his marriage, February 10, 1834, Stephen
Lee moved to Delaware county, Ohio, where he purchased land,
and as rapidly as the forest retreated before the swing of his
axe, cultivated the cleared area. As other houses were built in
the locality he was given opportunity to work at his trade,
that of plasterer, at the same time giving needed attention to
his farm. Six years later he returned to Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, locating in Wright township, where he erected a
saw mill and purchased a arm, for twenty -two years engaging in
the joint operation of his property. At the expiration of this
time he moved to Wilkes-Barre and became the owner of a planing
mill at the corner of Canal and North streets. He was the
proprietor of this establishment at his death, June 12, 1874,
aged sixty-two years. His wife’s death occurred September
25, 1881, at her home on North street, where she had lived
since her husband’s death. Children of Stephen and Jane
(Lines) Lee: Congrad, John R., Mary, Priscilla, Amanda, of
previous mention, married Edward Lutsey. Children of Edward and
Amanda (Lee) Lutsey: Nelson; Walter; Ida, married F.F. Sprague;
Mary P.; Millie, died in infancy; John Lincoln, of whom
further.
4. John Lincoln Lutsey, youngest child of
Edward and Amanda (Lee) Lutsey, was born in Wright township,
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He obtained an excellent
education in the public schools of his native township, a
Commercial College, and Wyoming Seminary, in which latter
institution his studies were completed. His first business
experience was received in Jermyn in the employ of C. L. Bell
as bookkeeper, in which capacity he served for four years. He
next secured an interest in the Eureka Coffin Company and
became treasurer of that concern, selling his interest after a
connection covering a period of two years, and returning to his
early occupation of bookkeeper, this time with the Glove
Warehouse in Scranton, with whom he remained for two and a half
years. In the five following years he was employed by W. A.
McConnell and the International Correspondence Schools,
holding a position with the latter corporation for four years.
The Lackawanna Dairy Company was the next firm by which he was
employed, and in that service he rose from a position as
bookkeeper to the general managership of the business,
discharging the duties of the latter position until April,
1911, when he resigned to take charge of a business he had
recently purchased, and of which he is now president and
treasurer under the name of J. L. Lutsey Company, manufacturers
of ice cream and dealers in dairy products. This business, of
which Mr. Lutsey is the able head, is located at No. 216 Adams
street, and at Nos. 414-416 Kressler court is located his
factory in which he has installed all of the latest and most
improved machinery. As the leader of this enterprise and as the
custodian of its funds Mr. Lutsey has proved himself the
possessor of business ability of no small merit, and the
company bearing his name reflects credit upon him from whom it
derived its title. He is a Methodist in religious conviction
and belongs to the Elm Park Church of that faith. Fraternally
he affiliates with Electric Star Lodge, No. 290, I.O.O.F., of
Clarks Green, and the Masonic order, belonging to Union Lodge,
No. 291, F. and A. M.; Lackawanna Chapter, No. 185, R.A.M.;
Scranton Council, No. 44, R. and S. M.; Coeur de Lion
Commandery, Knights Templar.
Mr. Lutsey married, September 2,
1890, Georgianna Mary, daughter of Frank Gill, of Jermyn,
Pennsylvania. They are the parents of one son, Samuel Francis,
born May 1, 1894, was a student in the Scranton Technical High
School, now with his father in business, also interested in
electricity and wireless telegraphy.
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