| Notes |
- From the Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) on Thursday, June 17, 1909 under the heading "All Over at W. & L. Honorary Degrees Conferred on Prominent Men" graduates receiving their degrees were listed, including:
"(Bachelor of Arts) Benjamin Franklin Luker, Proctor, Texas."
From the Belle Plaine News (Belle Plaine, Kansas) 4 Aug 1910, Thu.:
"Mr. Ben Luker who has been here spending his summer vacation from Washington and Lee University, at Lexington, Va., left for Proctor, Texas, where he will spend a few weeks with home folks, from whence he will go to Palo Alto, Califo., where he is to take a post graduate course as Dr. of Philosophy in the Leland Stanford Jr. University."
Benjamin Luker athletic medals given to Mary Lou Ward (his grand niece) in December 2003:
1. Front: Dual Meet at Wash and Lee Univ. G. A. A. V.P.I.vs. W. & L. Verso: 1908 440 yds. won by B. Luker;
2. Front: G.A.A. Washington and Lee University Verso: 220 yds. won by B. Luker;
3. Front: hurdler, no words Verso: West Texas College League Field Meet 2nd Honor 100 yard dash won by Lucre;
4. Front: Indoor Class Meet, Washington & Lee University Verso: 30 yds. dash 2nd place won by B. Luker;
5. Front: hurdler, no words Verso: West Texas College League Field Meet 2nd Honor Standing Bd. Jump won by Lucre;
6. Front: Indoor Class Meet, Washington & Lee University Verso: Standing High Jump 1st Place won by B. Luker;
7. Front: G.A.A. Washington and Lee University Verso: 440 yds. won by B. Luker.
and:
Lapel Pin, diamond shaped blue and white enamel with WLU on front, could be honor society pin of some type.
From "The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) 21 Sep 1914, Monday:
"Vanderbilt Makes Gain in Students" includes the following: B. F. Luker of Columbia university will assist Dr. Young in French."
World War I Draft Registration Card:
Name: Benjamin Franklin Luker
Age: 30
Home address: 134 Wayne, Easton, PA
Date of Birth: September 5, 1886
Natural born citizen
Birthplace: Proctor, Texas
Occupation: Instructor in French, Lafayette College, Easton, PA
Single
Caucasian
Date: June 2, 1917
PASSPORT APPLIATION, stamped Dec. 18, 1919:
I, Benjamin F. Luker, a native and loyal citizen of the United States, hereby apply at the American Passport Bureau at Paris, France for passport for myself. I solemnly swear that I was born at Proctor in the State of Texas on Sept. 5, 1886, that my father Benjamin F. Luker was born in Alabama and is now deceased and that he resided 37 years uninterruptedly, in the United States from 1849 to 1886 at Proctor, Texas. I have never had a Passport. I came to France with the A.E.F. a civilian clerk, that my legal domicile is at Proctor, Texas, my temporary residence being 6, rue Stanislas at Paris, France and I last left the United States on June 14th, 1917 and arrived at France on June 26th, 1917, where I am now residing for the purpose of discharge as Civilian Clerk and educational ends on behalf of myself. That I have resided outside the United States for the following places for the following periods: France, From June 27, 1914 to Aug. 22nd 1914; France from June 26th, 1917 to present, and that I desire to remain a citizen of the United States and intend to return thereto permanently to reside and perform the duties of citizenship within one years. I have not applied elsewhere for a United States passport or for consular registration and been refused.
I desire a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purpose:
France, temporary residence; Switzerland, educational purposes; Italy, educational purposes; Spain, educational purposes; British Isles, educational purposes.
Further, I do solemnly swear I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; So help me God. [signature]
United States Passport Bureau at Paris, France.
Sworn to before me this 29th day of September 1919, Marc Severe, Vice-Consul of the United States of America.
Age: 33 years
Stature: 5 feet, 9 1/2 inches, Eng.
Forehead: wide
Eyes: Brown
Nose: small
Mouth: medium
Chin: medium
Hair: dark brown
Complexion: dark
Face: Square
No distinguishing marks
Identifying documents submitted as follows: Extract of Special Orders No. 188. Headquarters G.I.S.D. A.E.F. France, July 7th, 1919, states that applicant was civilian employee, Clerk, and was honorably released on that date, from the Quartermaster Corps.
Agreement for temporary service in the Quartermaster Corps of the U.S. Army, dated June 5, 1917 for B. F. Luker, a resident of Proctor, Texas.
Red Worker’s Permit, for Benjamin F. Luker, signed by the Adjutant General, stamped Official, A.E.F., issued Jan. 1918.
References in the U.S.A.: Exhibited Affidavit of birth from County of Wibaux, State of Montana, which states that Mr. B. Luker was born Sep 5, 1886, near Proctor, Texas, U.S.A., signed by Notary Public for the State of Montana, bearing official stamp and seal.
Individual References:
Prof. J. B. Hopkins, Lafayette College, Easton, PA
Dr. L. T. Wilson, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957:
Benjamin Luker
Arrival Date: 31 Aug 1914
Date and Place of Birth: Proctor, Texas, September 3, 1886
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Havre
Ship Name: Espagne
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Address in United States: Vanderbilt University, Washville
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957:
Benjamin Luker
Arrival Date: 17 Apr 1920
Age: 33
Port of Departure: Hvre
Ship Name: Rochambeau
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Birth Date and Place: Sept. 5, 1886 at Proctor, Texas
Address in United States: 134 Wagne Str., Easton, Pa.
From the Fort Worth Record-Telegram (Forth Worth, Texas) 19 Sep 1920, Sun.:
"Announcements made of Faculty Promotions at State University [University of Texas]
…Benjamin F. Luker, appointed adjunct professor of Romance languages."
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
Benjamin Luker
Arrival Date: 4 Sep 1925
Port of Departure: Cherbourg, France
Ship Name: Aquitania
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Age: 36
Date and Place of Birth: 5th September, 1886, near Proctor, Texas
Address in United States: 224 W. Arlington Street, Gainesville, Florida.
"We had his World War I uniform. We gave it to the Pettigrew Museum."
The Catalogue of the University of Michigan, 1922-1923 lists:
"Benjamin Franklin Luker, Ph.D., Instructor in Romance Languages."
They were married when they were both teaching at Ann Arbor.
Stanford Alumni Directory, 1932:
*Luker, Benjamin Franklin. [Asterisk means "deceased".] 1910-1913. A.B., Washington and Lee '09; A.M. '10; Ph.D. Columbia '16, m. July 11, 1920, Flora Georgia McCartney, '13. d. Aug. 11, 1929.
Received a Bachelor of Science Degree from John Carleton College, Stephenville, Texas, May 31, 1907.
Received a B.A. degree from Washington & Lee University, July 1909.
Received his B.A. from Leland Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
Received his A.M. from Columbia University
Received his Ph.D. from Columbia University, June 7, 1916.
THESIS AS WELL AS BEING PUBLISHED AS AN INDEPENDENT WORK:
Luker, Benjamin Franklin, 1886-
The use of the infinitive instead of a finite verb in French, by Benjamin F. Luker.
New York, Columbia University Press, 1916.
113 p. 19 cm.
Series: Columbia University studies in Romance philology and literature.
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1916.
Pub. also without thesis note.
VITA as written by Luker as part of his Ph.D. thesis:
“I, Benjamin Franklin Luker, was born near Proctor, Texas, Sept. 5, 1886. I received the A.B. and A.M. degrees from Washington and Lee University in 1909 and 1910, respectively. During the year 1909-10 I was instructor in French in the same college. The three years following (1910-1913) were spent in the study of the Romance Languages, at the Leland Stanford Junior University. During the years 1911-12 and 1912-13 I was assistant in French in the last named University. In 1913 I entered the School of Philosophy of Columbia University, my major subject and dissertation being in Romance Philology, and my two minors in the French and Spanish Languages and Literatures. I wish to express here my appreciation for the encouragement and inspiration received from the instructors with whom I have been associated: at Stanford, Professors Johnston, Espinosa, Allen Guérard, Searles, Pellissier; at Columbia, Professors Todd, Cohn, Weeks and Muller. I was instructor in French in Extension Teaching, Columbia University, 1913-14; insructor in French, Vanderbilt University, 1914-15. At present I am instructor in French at Lafayette College.”
From the Ann Arbor News (Ann Arbor, MI), Monday, August 21, 1922, page 7:
"Prof. Benjamin F. Luker, instructor of romance languages in the university, and Mrs. Luker returned to Ann Arbor Saturday from a motor trip to Madison, Wis."
News article: The Tampa Times (Tampa, Florida) 13 Oct 1923, Sat.:
"FLORIDA HAS HIGH CLASS FACULTY NOW
Twenty New Professors at Gainesville This Year
…"Dr. B. F. Luker, who has come to the U. of F., to serve in the capacity of assistant professor of the romance languages, received the degrees of A. B. and M. A. from Washington and Lee University and the degree of Ph. D. from Columbia University. From Columbia, he went to Europe where he studied at the University of Paris for some time."
From August 13, 1929 Sioux Falls Argus Leader-- "Word was received here today of the death of Benjamin F. Luker, professor at the University, Gainesville, Fla., who died Sunday forenoon at that place and funeral services were held there Monday. The body will be brought to Sioux Falls arriving here Thursday morning. The only service for the deceased to be held here will be brief graveside rites at 10 o'clock Thursday forenoon. The wife of the deceased was formerly Miss Flora McCartney, an old resident of Sioux Falls."
From Thursday, August 15th, 1929, Sioux Falls Argus Leader-- "Funeral services for Dr. Benjamin F. Luker, Gainseville, Fla., whose wife was Flora McCartney, a former resident of Sioux Falls, will be held at the Miller Funeral Home at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon, with Dr. John F. Robertson, paster of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be made in Woodlawn Cemetery. Members of the American Legion will act as pall bearers as the deceased was in the service during the World war. Dr. Luker's only brother, David Luker, arrived today from Wibaux, Mont., for the last rites. Dr. Luker died August 11 at Gainesville following a lingering illness. The deceased was head of the department of French at the University of Florida for four years, but was forced to resign three years ago on account of ill health. Accounts in Florida papers state that he was popular with the students at the university. Dr. Luker received his A.B. and M.A. degrees at Washington and Lee university, did graduate work at Leland Stanford university, and received his Ph.D. degree at Columbia. Previously to assuming his duties at the University of Florida, he taught at Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., Lafayette college in Pennsylvania, and at the University of Texas. He was an ex-serviceman and a member of the Methodist church. Surviving are his widow, Flora McCartney Luker, whom he married in Sioux Falls in 1920, a brother David, Wibaux, Mont., and two sisters, Mrs. W.D. Sturkie, Proctor, Tex., and Mrs. Robert Caraway, Ft. Worth, Tex."
DISCHARGE PAPERS--" Headquarters G.I.S.D. American E.F. France. Special Order No. 168 (?) [Note, part of this is missing as indicated by ...] ...Extract- Par. 36 By ... of the President, and under the authority contained in SO ... 27 headquarters, Base Section No. 1, S.O.S., 2 July 1919, qu ... graphic instructions, Headquarters, S.O.S., 7 June 1919 and ... contained in 8th Ind., G.H.Q., A. E. F., 11 June 1919, the following ...ed Civilian Employee, Quartermaster Corps, is honorarably released from the service of the United States, services being no longer required-- Benjamin Franklin Luker, Civilian Employee (Q.M. Clerk, Quartermaster Corps. By order of Colonel Lott-- H.S. MacKirdy; Captain. C.A.C., Adjutant. Bonus of $60 due civilian employee under authority of Federal Revenue of 1918, section 1406, approved Feb. 24, 1919, entered upon final pay account presented to this office for payment. Chas. F. Eddy, Majr. Q. M. Corps.
City Directory, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1923 lists Luker, Benjamin F. (Flora G) instr U of M, h 514 Gott.
University of Florida Course Catalog for 1923-24 lists Benjamin Franklin Luker, A.M., Ph.D. (Columbia), Assistant Professor of French.
City Directory, Gainseville, Florida, 1925 lists Luker, Benj F
University of Florida Course Catalog for 1926-27 lists Benjamin Franklin Luker, A.M., Ph.D. (Columbia), Professor of French.
Gainesville Street Directory for 1927-28 lists Luker, Benj F (Flora G) prof U of Fla h224 W. Arlington. The 1930-31 directory has no listing for the Lukers.
From The Daily Texan, Austin, Texas, Wednesday morning, November 10, 1920
"New Faculty Members Added to University's French Department:
New faculty members in the French Department of the University of Texas are Miss Wakefield, Dr. B. F. Luker, and Dr. Aaron Schaffer.
…
Dr. B. F. Luker, who is a native Texan, received his A.B. and M.A. degrees in Washington and Lee where he was an instructor in French. He did three years work in Romance Languages in Stanford University and then went to Columbia where he received his Ph.D. in 1914. That year he was also an instructor in French and Extension Teacher in Columbia. He has also taught in Vanderbilt University and Lafayette College. Dr. Luker was with the A. E. F. in France and after being discharged he studied in the University of Paris.…"
Age at death: 42 yrs, 11 mos. 8 ds.
Cause of death as stated on death certificate: Cardio-Renal-Vascular Syndrome
Contributory (Secondary) cause of death: Dilatative heart
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Connected Bloodlines
1886 - 1929 (42 years)
![Correspondence. Luker, Benjamin. Letter to wife, Flora. [1917]](histories/lettericon.gif "Correspondence. Luker, Benjamin. Letter to wife, Flora. [1917]")