| Notes |
- From the New Era, Parker, SD, Sept. 28, 1889:
“There is joy in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George McCartney. A little girl came to bless their home on Tuesday. Mother and child are doing nicely and George is as proud as a peacock over the happy event.”
"When her father died, John Fairfield Lowell became her guardian. He controlled the purse strings.
Sioux Falls City Directory, 1907 lists Flora McCartney, 924 W. 9th, Sioux Falls, SD Student. (Flora is living with her maternal grandparents at this time.)
Sioux Falls SD City Directory, 1909 lists Flora McCartney, 1024 W. 9th, Sioux Falls, SD, Student.
"I can remember as a small kid going to Flora's high school graduation. They sang opera at the graduation and that was the first time that I had heard that type of singing.
"Flora, when she went to New York to school, she travelled around New England quite a bit. My grandmother's brother was still living at that time, Uncle Frank Furbish, living in New England. I've got some letters of his. They were first written to my Grandmother or my Aunt Minnie and then later to Flora. She had met him and there are pictures of him. He's a very stately distinguished character. By this time, the Furbishes were maybe more advanced financially than the Lowell's. They were intermarried with the Whitney's.
"There were letters written by him [Benjamin Luker] to Flora. Flora had hung on to some of these. He was in Europe a while in World War I in the army. Some of the letters are written in French. Flora was quite adept at French, as was her husband. The letters are semi-sentimental.
When Flora was in the hospital, George J. Lowell took care of all of her finances, wrote her checks, and watched out for things. When she was looking for apartments in Sioux Falls, Flora asked Hazel what varoius things were in these apartments. "What's that black streak over there?" Hazel said that it was the mopboard. After more of these questions, Hazel asked her if she couldn't see any better than that and then said that Flora couldn't stay in an apartment if she couldn't see any better than that. Then Hazel brought her to the doctor and she eventually had her cataracts removed.
The reason that Flora went to Stanford was that all of the McCartneys were out there. George McCartney's father, Judge McCartney, left money to Flora. John Fairfield was her guardian. Grandma Lowell then went with her to Stanford and Columbia and kept house for her. Flora taught school all over the country but she never stayed at one place for very long. She taught at Park City, Utah; Fort Scott, Kansas; Hibbing, Minnesota; Hekla, South Dakota; and later in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Grandma went with her to all of these places.
Newspaper article in San Diego Union (San Diego, CA) Thursday, December 19, 1901, pg. 3:
“McCartney Estate.
In the estate of John McCartney citations have been issued to Anna B. McCartney, Ada McCartney Brown, Samuel C. and Flora G. McCartney, to appear in court the 20th inst. and show what reason they have, if any, why the partition as prayed for by Ella B. Ward should not be made.
In the matter of the guardianship of Flora G. McCartney citations have been issued to Anna B. McCartney, Ada McCartney Brown, and Minnie McCartney to appear at the hearing the 20th inst. and show why A. Haines should not be appointed guardian.”
News Article: The Record (National City, California) 26 Dec 1901, Thu.
"Judge A. Haines has been appointed guardian of Flora G. McCartney with bond fixed at $2,000."
News article: The Record (National City, California) 22 May 1902, Thu:
MC.CARTNEY'S ESTATE
"The superior court has confirmed the report of the commissioner in partion of the estate of the late judg John McCartney of this city. Property and cash of a value of $1, 181.33 is awarded to S. E. McCartney and the same amount to Flora G. McCartney. The remainder of the estate valued at $7,244.14 remains undivided and Mrs. Anna B. McCartneyñ, the widow, is to have one undivided one half interest and Mrs. Ella B. Ward and Mrs. Ada C. Brown each one undivided quarter interert [sic]"
Newspaper article in the San Diego Union (San Diego, California) on Saturday, November 8, 1902:
"Upon the filing of the receipts of Ella B. Ward, Ada McC. Brown, A. Haines, guardian of Flora G. McCartney, minor; S. C. McCartney, Anna B. McCartney, heirs of the estate of John McCartney, deceased, the administrator, M. L. Ward, was discharged."
Newspaper article in San Diego Union (San Diego, CA) Tuesday, July 21, 1903, pg. 5:
“The estate of Flora G. McCartney has been appraised at $1,750. It consists of a lot in Los Angeles.”
News Article (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 14 Sep 1907, Sat.
"Misses Bessie and Eugenia Bowen entertained a number of their friends Friday, in honor of the seventeenth birthday anniversary of Miss Jessie Bliss. The house was beautifully decoratd with ferns and asters. A number of games were played and in the "flower contest" Miss Flora McCartney was given the highest award, and Miss Lucy Bliss was awarded a handsome Teddy bear as the consolation prize. Miss Eva Arendt rendered a number of pleasing selections on the piano. A delicious lunch was served later by little Miss Burk, and after a pleasant afternoon the guests departed. The guest of honor received many beautiful presents."
News Article (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 21 Dec 1908, Mon.
"FUNERAL OF BESSIE BOWEN
Large Number of Friends of Popular High School Girl Follow Remains to Last Resting Place
The funeral of Miss Bessie Bowen, the high school girl who died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Bowen, on Ninth street west last Friday, took place this afternoon from the family residence. It was a striking funeral in many respects, chief among which was the large attendance of young people. The senior class of the high school, of which the dead girl was a member, attended in a body and also sent a handsome floral offering. The pall bearers were selected from amoung the members of the senior class and were as follows:
Harold Ledyard, Walter Pankow, Chester Bates, Robert Ward, Edward Gottheif and Reuben Bragstad.
The following six young ladies from the senior class were selected as honorary pall bearers:
Flora McCartney, Stella Benson, Addie Pettigrew, Sylvia Sales, Alice Waldo and Helen Leyse.
The services were most impressive on account of the presence of the membrs of the high school class and the genuine sorrow that was manifest on all sides.
The interment was made in Mt. Pleasant cemetery."
News Article: Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 30 Nov 1908, Mon:
"The following high school pupils have made an average grade of 90 per cent in four studies and deportment for the month of Novembr, and are, therefore, entitled to the privilege of remaining at home until their recitations begin and of going home when their recitations are finished:… Flora McCartney."
News Article: The Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 8 Jan 1909, Fri.:
"HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL
…"The following high school pupils have made an average grade of 90 per cent in four studies and deportment for the month of December, and are, therefore, entitled to the privilege of remaining at home until their recitations begin, and of going home when their recitations are finished:… Flora McCartney."
News Article: The Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 19 May 1909, Wed.:
"HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL
…"The following high school pupils have made an average grade of 90 per cent in four studies and deportment for the month of April, and are, therefore, entitled to the privilege of remaining at home until their recitations begin, and of going home when their recitations are finished:… Flora McCartney."
News Article: The Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 2 Jul 1909, Fri.:
"HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL
…"The following high school pupils have made an average grade of 90 per cent in four studies and deportment for the month of May, 1909… Flora McCartney."
News Article: The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) 19 Dec 1909, Sun:
"Carries Many Passengers
Although the passenger rate war between here and the south is now over the tide of travel between here and southern California is still heavy. The steamer Santa Rosa, which sailed yesterday for the south, carried 200 passengers, among whom were:
… Miss Flora McCartney"
News Article: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) 03 Oct 1909, Sun:
"J. W. Wilkinson of W. M. Garland & Co., reports the sale of a lot 75 x 150 feet in the Severance tract, on the east side of Severance street, south of Adams, for Flora G. McCartney to Caroline M. Hicks, the purchase price being $4,500."
News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 30 May 1910, Mon.
"Miss Flora McCartney has arrived home from Stanford Univrsity, California."
News article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 06 Aug 1910, Sat.
"THEATER PARTY
Miss Flora McCartney who will soon return to Stanford University, California, to resume her studies in that institution the coming school year, entertained a number of her friends with a theater party at the Majestic on Friday evening, the fifth. Refreshments were served at Skoug's. A pleasant evening was passed by all present and Miss McCartney was voted a charming hostess in her novel way of entertaining."
News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 25 Aug 1911, Fri.
"Mrs. John Lowell and Miss Flora McCartney leave this evening over the Omaha for Palo Alto, Cal., where Miss McCartney will enter upon the third year of her college course at Leland Stanford university."
News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 30 Jun 1911, Fri.:
"Mrs. John Lowell and grand daughter, Miss Flora McCartney arrived home from California where Miss McCartney is a student in the Leland Stanford university."
News Article: The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) 21 May 1913, Wed.
"STANFORD CLASS AWARDED DEGREES
Palo Alto University Diplomas Distributed at Annual Commencement
[Under Bachelor of Arts, History] Flora G. McCartney, Sioux Falls, S.D."
News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 30 May 1913, Fri.
"Mrs. J. W. Lowell [sic] and grand daughter, Miss Flora McCartney, returned this morning from Palo Alto where Miss McCartney recently graduated from the university of California [sic] course in the liberal arts college."
News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 27 Nov 1914, Fri.
"Miss Flora McCartney, a graduate of the Sioux Falls high school, and who since graduating here has added several college degrees, will leave shortly after the first of January for Nashville, Tenn., where she will take up the duties of instructor in history and English in the high school at that place."
News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)11 Jun 1915, Fri.
"Mrs. John Lowell and granddaughter Flora McCartney are home from Nashville, Tenn., where they spent the past winter, and where Miss McCartney was a teacher in the public schools. They will remain here some time but will make a trip to California during the summer".
News Article: The Park Record (Park City, Utah) 14 Jul 1916, Fri.
in Park Float column:
"The regular monthly meeting of the school trustees of District No. 12, was held last evening, at which the resignation of Miss Minnie Cunningham was read and accepted, and Miss Flora G. McCartney, of New York, was elected as her successer."
News Article: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 11 Aug 1916, Fri:
"Miss Flora McCartney of this city, who, with her grandmother, Mrs. John Lowell, are spending the summer in the east, has entered Columbia university where she is doing some advanced work."
News Article: The Park Record (Park City, Utah) 04 May 1917, Fri.
"At the last meeting of the local school board Jim Don was re-elected secretary of the board, and L. M. Muirbrock was elected treasurer. J. L. Kearns was re-elected superintendent. The following teachers were elected to teach for the ensuing school year: High School-…Flora McCartney…"
News Article: The Park Record (Park City, Utah) 07 Sep 1917, Fri.
"Teachers Assigned in Public Schools
The following is the assignment of teachers at the different school buildings for the ensuing year:
HIGH SCHOOL
… Miss Flora McCartney-Language…"
Flora met Ben at Stanford. Flora got her master's from Columbia and he got his Ph.D. from there. After they both graduated, Flora taught school and they kept in contact and then they were married.
While at Columbia, Flora wrote her Masters Essay titled “The Life of the Industrial Revolution as Reflected in the Literature of the Nineteenth Century.” It was published in 1915. Columbia University’s Special Collections and Rare Books has a copy of this work. She received her Master of Arts degree from Columbia’s Department of Political Science, Philosophy, and Pure Sience.
Newspaper Article, Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 14 Sep 1918, Sat.:
"Miss Flora McCartney, accompanied by her grandmother, Mrs. John Lowell departed for Grand Forks, N.D., where Miss McCartney has been engaged to teach French and Latin in the high school. Miss McCartney is a graduate of the Sioux Falls high school, Stanford university and Columbia college."
Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, North Dakota) 6 May 1919, Tue.
"VICTORY LIBERTY LOAN
HONOR ROLL
Grand Forks City has subscribed its quota. Saturday afternoon the campaign ended. The patriotic residents of the city have done their duty. They have kept faith with those who sleep in France.
The list published below completes the names of the subscribers except the railroad men:
$50.00
… Flora G. McCartney…"
Newspaper article in the Grand Forks Daily Herald (Grand Forks, North Dakota) Saturday, June 28, 1919:
"Miss Flora McCartney, who has been an instructor in French and Latin at the Central high school, during the last year, left yesterday for her home at Sioux Falls, S.D. Miss McCartney was accompanied by her grandmother, Mrs. Lowell, who has been making her home here for the year."
Newspaper article, Fort Scott Daily Monitor (Fort Scott, Kansas) 5 Aug 1919:
"The board last night confirmed the recent action of the teachers' committee of the board, in appointing Miss Flora G. McCartney of Sioux Falls, S.D., as history teacher in the Junior College. Miss McCartney is very well qualified for the position, being a graduate of Leland Stanford University, where she secured her A. B. degree. She also holds an A. M. degree, earned in Columbia University, New York."
Newspaper article, Fort Scott Daily Monitor (Fort Scott, Kansas) 29 Aug 1919:
"Miss Flora G. McCartney of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will be in the History Department. Miss McCartney has two very strong schools back of her, she having received her A. B. from Leland Stanford University, California, and her A. M. from Columbia University, New York City. She has had four years of successful teaching of history."
News Article: Fort Scott Tribune and The Fort Scott Monitor (Fort Scott, Kansas) 12 Feb 1920, Thu.:
"TEACHER'S SALARIES
List of Those Paid the Past Several Years, Showing Increases as They Have Been Made.
Upon our request Superintendent Ramsey has furnished us the following school teacher salary lists covering the past several years, showing what increases hae been made up to and including the present year:
1919-20
JUNIOR COLLEGE AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Flora McCartney……….$145.00"
They were married when they were both teaching at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Newspaper article from the Morning Star (Rockford, Illinois) Wednesday, July 12, 1922, p. 6:
“Marriage Licenses:
Benjamin F. Luker, Ann Arbor, Mich., 35 [age];
Miss Flora G. McCartney, Sioux Falls, S.D., 32.”
Newspaper article from the Rockford Republic (Rockford, IL) Wednesday, July 12, 1922, pg. 4:
“Manse Wedding.
Benjamin F. Luker, of Ann Arbor, Mich., professor of French at the University of Michigan, and Miss Flora G. McCarty [sic] of Minnehaha, S.D., were united in marriage Tuesday evening at 6:30 o’clock at the First Presbyterian manse by Rev. William H. Fulton.”
Newspaper article from the Morning Star (Rockford, IL) Thursday, July 13, 1922, pg. 6:
“Miss Flora McCartney of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Benjamin Luker, Ann Arbor, Mich., were married by the Rev. William H. Fulton at the First Presbyterian manse Tuesday evening. Mr. Luker is a professor at the University of Michigan.”
Newspaper article from Ann Arbor News (Ann Arbor, MI) Monday, August 21, 1922, pg. 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.”
Flora and Ben Luker resided at 224 W. Arlington in Gainesville, Florida, when Ben was a professor at the University of Florida. Gainesville renamed and renumbered their streets after Ben’s death and Flora’s departure from Gainesville. The address “224 W. Arlington” became “112 SW 4th Ave.” The University appears to have razed the structure at some time, to create a parking lot.
The lots that Hazel inherited from Flora were located in Walda, Alachua County, Florida.
From the New York Times:
“Columbia ‘15 Class [1915]
Sets a New Record
University Never Before Grant-
ed 2,160 Degrees and Di-
plomas at One Time”
[All individuals receiving degrees were listed. Under Master of Arts: Flora G. McCartney]
Stanford Alumni Directory, 1932:
"Luker, Mrs. Benjamin Franklin. (Flora Georgia McCartney, A.B., Hist., May '13; M.A., Columbia '15. m. July 11, 1920, Benjamin Franklin Luker, Gr., d. Aug. 11, 1929.) 224 W. Arlington, Gainesville, Fla."
According to Grandpa, after receiving her degree at Columbia and before getting married at Ann Arbor, Michigan, Flora taught at Heckla, SD, Fort Scott, Kansas, and Park City, Utah. After getting married, she did not teach. Ben Luker was a professor of Romance Languages. He was also teaching at Ann Arbor. Then both of them went to Florida together.
1930 Census: Florida, Alachua Cty., Gainesville, Dist. 12, 224 W. Arlington:
Luker, Flora G., head, owns, age 35, widowed, born in South Dakota, father born in Indiana, mother born in Wisconsin, no profession listed;
Lowell, Viola, grandmother, age 86, widowed, born in Maine, father and mother born in Maine, no profession.
From the Stanford Alumni Directory, 1955:
#Luker, Benjamin Franklin: French 10-F
Luker, Mrs. Benjamin Franklin: AB Hist. 13
*Flora Georgia Mc Cartney"
From the Monday, June 3, 1974, Argus Leader-- "Funeral services will be at 1-30 p.m. Wednesday at the Miller Funeral Home for Mrs. Flora G. Luker, 84, of 401 W. 2nd St., who died Saturday at a local nursing home. Flora McCartney was born Sept. 24, 1889, at Parker. She was married to Benjamin F Luker July 11, 1922, at Rockford, Ill. He died in 1929 and Mrs. Luker moved to Sioux Falls. She was employed as a school teacher before her retirement. She is survived by cousins."
From an autobiographical letter written by Flora in 1970--"John Fairfield Lowell born 1837 (May 17) Chesterfield Maine the son of Samuel and Hannah Lowell (both dates unknown). Hannah's maiden name was Lowell and they both died before John was grown and his brother Frank raised him. Nothing more is known of Frank except he died early & left a widow & children. John inherited $200 from his parents but never claimed it letting Frank's widow have it. John went to Wis. to the lumbering business when young & returned to Maine to marry Viola Furbish (Feb. 8, 1844) my grandmother. They had a daughter born Feb. 27, '65 and a son John R. Lowell born Apr. 16, 1869 at Ostrander Mills, Wis. In 1884 the family moved to S.D. & lived on a farm many years 12 mi. west of Sioux Falls and later in S.F. Minnie Lowell married Geo. in Dec. 12, 1888, one daughter was born (myself) Sept. 24, '89. John R. Lowell married --three sons were born. George has 3 sons--James, John, & Charles [note--should be Roger]. James has one son Gerald, 21, two daughters Linda 18, Leann 14. Charles has one son Russell James 20 & two daughters Myra and Cherlyl living in S.F. There was a family of Lowells in S.D. in the early 1900's. We were not acquainted however. Also there was a family of Lowells at Canton, S.D. I noticed a few years ago in the obituary column of the S.F. daily. I never heard any other Lowells mentioned by my grandparents. In 1915, after an absence of 51 years, my grandmother Lowell took me with her to Maine to visit relatives. We did not become acquainted with any Lowells altho they were said to be numerous around there and to all bear a marked resemblance to each other. The cemeteries bear many Lowells."
News article from Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 17 Jul 1973, Tue.
"Seven Classmates Attend 65th Reunion of 1908 Class
Seven members of the Washingon High School Class of 1908 met at Luther Manor Friday afternoon for their 65th class anniversary.
This is the sixth gathering of the group which originally had 49 members. This time Mrs. John Cressey, Mrs. Flora (McCartney) Luker, Louise P. Olsen, Roy Look, Harry Gamberg, Frank Yeager and Guy Andersonn were present. The class holds the honor of being the first group to graduate from the present school building."
From a newspaper article (no date) with picture--"CLASS OF 1908 HAS REUNION IN SIOUX FALLS. Sixty years after graduating, nine of the 49 members of the Washington High School class of 1908 gathered Thursday night at Kirk's restaurant for a reunnion. It was the fifth time they had been reunited since leaving high school. The group was the first to graduate from Washington High School under that name. For three and a half years they attended school at the present site of Irving Schoool at 11th and Spring. In February of 1908, all classes moved into the new high school which at that time was the north wing of the present WHS building. At that time the school enrollment was approximately 500. Of the 49 graduates of 1908, 20 are deceased; six could not be located. PICTURE CAPTION READS-- The first class to graduate from Washington High School after it was renamed from Sioux Falls High School held a reunion Thursday in Sioux Falls. The nine members of the Washington High Class of 1908 which assembled for their 60th reunion are, seated from left, Mrs. Flora Luker, Mrs. John Cressey, Mrs. I. O. Abbott and Louise Olsen. Standing from left are Guy Anderson, Finney Briggs, Frank Yeager, Harry Gamberg and Charles Look."
FUNERAL MEMORIAL READS--
Mrs. Flora G. Luker
401 West 2nd
Sioux Falls, So. Dak.
Born--September 24, 1889, Parker, So. Dak.
Died--June 1, 1974, Sioux Falls, So. Dak.
Services-- One thirty P.M. Wednesday, June 5, 1974, Miller Funeral Chapel, Sioux Falls, So. Dak.
Officiating--Rev. Vernon Severson
Organist--Mrs. C. B. Van Ausdall
Vocalist--Mr. Bob Mills
Service of Interment--Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, So. Dak.
Mrs. Luker's only survivors include several of her cousins.
Casketbearers--Larry Feay, Russell Lowell, James Lowell, Charles Lowell, John Lowell, George Lowell.
The family of Mrs. Luker extends an invitation to join them at the Charles Lowell residence, 1305 N. Lincoln, for refreshments and fellowship following the committal service."
WEDDING CERTIFICATE--
This is to certify that Benjamin F. Luker of Ann Arbor, Mich. and Miss Flora G. McCartney of Minnehaha South Dakota were by me united in Holy Matrimony according to the Ordinance of God and the Laws of the State of Illinois at Rockford on the 11th day of July in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand, Nine Hundred and twenty two. Witnesses--Ella F. McClelland and B. F. McClelland. Wm H. Fulton, Minister of the Gospel"
SSDI: #504-48-0779, b. 24 Sep 1889, d. June 1974 res. 57104 Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota., , ,
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Connected Bloodlines
1889 - 1974 (84 years)
![Correspondence. Luker, Benjamin. Letter to wife, Flora. [1917]](histories/lettericon.gif "Correspondence. Luker, Benjamin. Letter to wife, Flora. [1917]")
![Education. Luker, Flora Georgia McCartney. Columbia University. Masters Thesis. [1915]](histories/diaries_icon.gif "Education. Luker, Flora Georgia McCartney. Columbia University. Masters Thesis. [1915]")
