Choctaw Alabama Census - 1850
Appears as head of household on with Elizabeth, 36, wife; Mary A. 16; Joseph E., 8; John W., 9; Benj. F, 2; Geo. W., 5; Susan E., 14; Sarah M., 4. Occupation: Planter;
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LUKER, JAMES, 40, M, Planter, AL, # 158
Elizabeth, 36, F, S.C.
Mary A., 16, F, AL
Susan E., 16, F, AL
Joseph E., 11, M, AL
John W., 9, M, AL
Geo W., 5, M, AL
Sarah M., 4, F, AL
Benj F., 2, M, AL
Jas, 1/12, M, AL
Jas Luker born Ala; Elizabeth born SC36

1860 Census
Butler, Choctaw CO, AL Choctaw CO
Luker, J., M, 49, AL, H, 2, 3, 536, 26, L260, 538
Luker, M., F, 26, AL , M,2,3,536,0, L260, 538
Luker, J., M,21,AL,M, 2,3,536,0,L260,538
Luker,J.,M, 19, AAL,M,2,3,536,0,L260,538
Luker,M., 13, AL,M,2,3,536,0, L260, 538
Luker, G., M, 11, AL, M. 2, 3, 536, O, L260, 538
Luker, B. F., M, 12, AL M, 2,3, 536, 0, L260, 538
Luker, J., M, 10, ALM,2,3,536, 0, L260, 538
Luker, L., F, 6, AL, M, 2, 3, 536, 0, L260, 538
Luker, J., M, 3, AL, M, 2, 3, 536, 0, L260, 538
Luker, G., F, 1, AL, M, 2, 3, 536, 0, L260, 538

1870 US Census, Beat 2, Rusk PO, Cherokee, Texas
In the household of David M. Campbell, farmer
Benjamin Luker, age 22, born AL, work on farm
(Listed with brother James B. Luker)

Benjamin Franklin Luker and Mary Catherine “Molly” Ewing Luker

The seventh child of James B. Luker (1810-1862) and Elizabeth Edwards (1814-1852), Benjamin Franklin Luker was born in Choctaw County, Alabama in 1848. Frank Luker, as he was known, was only 12 when the Civil War began and did not serve the Confederacy as did his older brothers, Joseph, John Wade and George W. Sometime after the end of the war, Frank and his younger brother James B. Luker, Jr., wound up in Texas. Both are listed on the 1870 Census, Rusk Post Office, Cherokee, Texas.

Frank spent a few years in East Texas with his brother James B. then, having known Capt. William Ewing in Alabama, he migrated to the community in Comanche County where Capt. Ewing and his family had settled. Frank probably moved to Comanche County before his older brothers arrived from Alabama. According to one account, George W. Luker and his wife moved in with Benjamin Franklin Luker (in 1875) who was then unmarried and living on a rented farm along Sowell’s Creek near Proctor. By 1875, Benjamin Franklin Luker, George W. Luker, John W. Luker, Susie Luker Buckler and Capt. William Ewing were all living in Comanche County near Proctor and the Leon River.

On January 1, 1880, Benjamin Franklin Luker married Mary Catherine “Mollie” Ewing born January 21, 1848, daughter of Capt. William A. D. Ewing. “Aunt Mollie was a beautiful young lady. Uncle Frank was a handsome young man. Aunt Mollie had had other suitors. One of these former suitors came to the wedding and the reception following. The bride and groom were standing in line to receive congratulations and best wishes from their relatives and friends. This disappointed lover attempted to kiss Aunt Mollie. Uncle Frank was wearing a new pair of boots, bought especially for the wedding. He gave the discourteous fellow a swift kick that sent him reeling, almost to the floor. The suitor made his exit pronto; but not before all those in the room had a good laugh at his fall.”1 Mollie and Frank Luker are listed on the 1880 US Census for Comanche County. Mollie had moved to Comanche county with her father, mother and sister in 1874 but probably had known Frank in Alabama.

Children of Benjamin Franklin Luker and Mollie Ewing Luker were: David Luker (1881-1960); John T. Luker (1882-1882 - died as an infant); Mattie Lou Luker (1884-1949) and Benjamin Franklin Luker, Jr. (1886 – 1929).

After the death in 1875 of Sarah Ewing, Mollie’s sister and John Luker’s wife, Julia and Mack, Sarah’s two youngest children went to live with Mollie and Frank Luker. While they were living with their uncle, Frank Luker developed pneumonia and died at the age of 36, seven months before his son, Benjamin Franklin, Jr. was born. “Mama remembers well when he passed away. Grandpa spent the night with him. He prayed earnestly for his recovery, if it was the Lord’s Will let him be spared. When George returned home he told the family he never did get assurance from the Lord that his brother would recover. Grandpa believed in prayer; but always the answer must come in accordance with the Lord’s Will. Uncle Frank died that day. Mama spent a week with Aunt Mollie soon after Uncle Frank’s death.“ 2 Mollie moved into John W. Luker’s Hill Top farmhouse after Franks death. She made dresses for her niece, Julia and shirts for her nephews. Frank Luker and John Luker married sisters making for a very close family relationship.

After the death of Benjamin Franklin Luker, Mollie married John O’Quinn Williams (1836-1931) a widower from Louisiana. Mollie and John Williams had one daughter, Mary Catherine (Little Molly). They are listed on the 1900 and 1910 census for Comanche County. Molly died in July 21, 1926 as a result of an accident. She fell and spilled a pot of boiling water all over herself. Molly died just a few days later.
Both Molly and Frank are buried in the Luker Cemetery, Comanche County.

Bio written and submitted by:
Mary L. Ward
GGGrandaughter of Benjamin Franklin and Mollie Ewing Luker
Salida, CO

Sources:

Kathleen E. Sturkie Powell: I remember when Grandma was very sick. I was very small and we went to her house. Grandpa Williams wouldn’t let children around Grandma so I sat in his study while Mamma visited her. I didn’t touch any of his books. We were all afraid of Grandpa Williams. We thought that he was mean. Grandma Williams fell while she was carrying a pot of boiling water--she may have had a stroke--and the water spilled all over her. She lived only a few days after the accident.

Obituary for Molly C. Ewing

Mrs. John O. Williams of Proctor
Comanche Chief
July 23, 1926
Mrs. Williams, age 78, died Tuesday night as the result of burns from spilled boiling water. She was alone at the time. She first married B. G. Luker in 1878 -. He died in 1885 /
Later she married Mr. Williams who survives.

Other survivors:
Julius Luker sic. of Austin, a brother
Children:
Mrs. W. D. Sturkie of Comanche
David Luker, Montana
Ben F. Luker, professor of Romance Languages, Univ. of Fla.
Mrs. Robert Carraway, Fort Worth

“Papa let Aunt Mollie and her three children move into his Hill Top farmhouse wheere the renters had lived. Aunt Mollie made Sarah’s dresses and all the boys’ shirts. Aunt Rhoda, the housekeeper, cooked and cared for the John Smith Home. Aunt Mollie was Mama’s sister and Uncle Frank was Papa’s brother. Bennie, Lula and Davy were double cousins. They were Sarah’s constant companions in the daytime. “37