Robert E. Lucas

Photo is of a pairing of Governor Lucas that hangs above the mantel in his home - Plum Grove - in Iowa City, Iowa. It was painted a few years after his death in 1853 from a photograph of the Governor in the last years of his life.

Photo of the portrait was taken by Raymond V. Sumner at Plum Grove June 19th, 2014.

Who was Robert E. Lucas?

besides the First Territorial GOvernor of iowa

The Foundation is named in honor of Governor Robert E. Lucas. GOV Lucas was the first Territorial Governor of Iowa (1838-1841), twice the Governor of Ohio (1834-38), and a Major General in the Ohio Militia. Additionally, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention for the State of Iowa, founder of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa, and presided over the first national political party convention to nominate a president – Andrew Jackson to his second term (1826). He laid the cornerstone of the “Old State Capital” on the University of Iowa on July 4th, 1840. He settled in Iowa after leaving political office; making his home at Plum Grove in Iowa City, Iowa. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, Iowa next to his second wife, Friendly Ashley Sumner.