Richard Lucid, born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1843, immigrated to the United States at age 18. After brief stays in Ohio and Michigan, he settled in Iowa, where he farmed for 22 years. In 1884, Lucid moved to Yankton County, South Dakota, where he established a 200-acre farm. He married Hannah Hart in 1879, and the couple had 11 children, though five died young. Lucid became known for his successful stock raising and commitment to his community. The family remained active in the Roman Catholic Church in Yankton, where they were respected for their contributions and industrious spirit.
Richard Lucid.—In an analyzation of the life record of Richard Lucid we note many of the sterling traits of character of the Irish people, including the adaptability to circumstances which has ever been one of the salient traits of the sons of the Emerald Isle. He also has the energy and the progressive spirit for which they are noted and it is to these qualities that he owes his success. He is now the possessor of two hundred acres of rich and arable land in Yankton County and is classed among the representative farmers here.
Mr. Lucid was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in the year 1843 and there remained until eighteen years of age, when he came to the United States, settling first in Ohio, where he remained but a year. He afterward located in Michigan, where he resided for seven years, working in the iron mines. On the expiration of that period he removed to Iowa and purchased a farm there in the year 1871. For twenty-two years he thus carried on agricultural pursuits in the Hawkeye state, placing his land under cultivation and adding many improvements to his farm so that it became one of the desirable properties there. It was adjacent to the city of Independence and he and his family were highly respected in that place and throughout the surrounding district.
Mr. Lucid was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Hart, of Independence, Iowa, the wedding taking place on the 9th of May, 1879, the ceremony being performed by Father Sweeney, of Independence. Mrs. Lucid is a daughter of Patrick and Julia (Reilly) Hart, who were married in Illinois, whence they removed to Iowa, where the father took up land from the government and engaged in farming. Unto him and his wife were born eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Lucid have also become the parents of eleven children: Richard, Julia, Rosanna, Lizzie, Daniel, Charles, Clarence, Cornelius, Edna, Bernice, and Clara. Of these, Rosanna, Julia, Daniel, Cornelius, and Clarence are now deceased. Lizzie is a most successful and capable school teacher, now having charge of the Huber school. She has thirteen rooms and has given excellent satisfaction by her capable work. The other children of the family are attending school or assisting the father in the operation of the home farm. As before stated, Mr. Lucid has two hundred acres of land and is engaged in stock raising, good grades of cattle, horses, and hogs being seen upon his place. He regards South Dakota as one of the finest farming states of the Union and his own valuable property indicates that he is accurate in this opinion, for his land is rich and productive and everything about the place indicates his careful supervision. He and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church in Yankton and are widely and favorably known in this community. He has led a very industrious life and is one of the highly respected and prosperous citizens of his adopted state.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.