More on the Family of Isaac and Rebecca (HEWITT) LUKE

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The Family of Isaac and Rebecca (Hewitt) Luke, c. 1888. Unknown location, possibly Avon, Bon Homme Co., South Dakota. Original photograph privately held by Dennis R. Luke, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Oregon.

This wonderful photograph I posted yesterday on Wordless Wednesday was sent to me via email by a distant cousin of my children, on their paternal grandmother's side of the family. It features their 3rd-great-grandparents, their 2nd-great-grandmother, and her siblings.

Isaac LUKE was born 1 April 1831 in Mt. Vernon, Wayne Co., Ohio. His wife, Rebecca HEWITT, was born 2 May 1836 in Meadville, Crawford Co., Pennsylvania. Married 20 February 1851 in Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wisconsin, they had 14 children, two who died as toddlers, and one who died at about 18:

1. William Alonzo LUKE (1852 - 1919); the ancestor of the cousin who shared this photo
2. Robert Thomas LUKE (1853 - 1932)
3. Orville Isaac LUKE (1855 - 1943)
4. Melissa Rachel LUKE JENNINGS (1856 - c. 1937)
5. Lydia J. LUKE (c. 1859 - c. 1877)
6. Orin Azel LUKE (1860 - 1932)
7. Julia Elizabeth LUKE  LUKE (1862 - 1916); yes, she married a cousin!
8. Simeon Wesley LUKE (1863 - 1947)
9. Angelia Rebecca LUKE MARTIN (1866 - 1941) - my children's 2nd-great-grandmother
10. Mary Amanda "Mandy" LUKE McDONALD (1868 - 19e8)
11. Clara LUKE (c. 1870 - 1877)
12. Lucy LUKE (c. 1872 - 1875)
13. Eunice Rebecca LUKE CARSNER (1874 - 1918)
14. Alice Viola LUKE HAWKEY JONES (1878 - 1955)

The eleven children who survived childhood are pictured with their parents, who sit on either end of the front row. Seated in the front row from left to right, and numbered in birth order are: Isaac (father), Mandy (10), Simeon (8), Alice (14), Eunice (13), and Rebecca (mother). Standing in the back, left to right are:  Alonzo (1), Melissa (4), Robert (2), Julia (7), Orin (6), Angelia (9), and Orville (3).

This photograph was probably taken about 1888, likely in Avon, Bon Homme Co., South Dakota, the LUKE family's home at that time. Isaac was a private in the 16th Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War. He outlived at least three wives (out of four) and six children of his 14 children, dying 18 January 1920 in Avon. Rebecca died 4 July 1911 in Brookings Co., South Dakota. They are buried in Hitt Cemetery, in Avon. Their children lived and died in South Dakota, Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, California, and Wisconsin.