John W. Loucks, clerk of the Division Court, is a son of William Loucks, a United Empire Loyalist, from the State of New York, settling in the county of Stormont, Ontario, soon after the American Revolution, and afterwards purchasing land in the township of Williamsburg, county of Dundas, where he died at a great age in 1863. There our subject was born May 15, 1796, and reared a farmer with very few opportunities for acquiring an education. At sixteen, when the second war with the United States opened, he enlisted in the Provincial cavalry; was at the battle of Crysler’s Farm, and was rewarded by the Crown with a silver medal for meritorious conduct. He served under Captain Richard D. Fraser, afterwards Lieut.-Colonel. Mr. Loucks also took part against the rebellion in 1837-38, and was in the battle of the Windmill, at Prescott, in November 1838, being ensign in Captain John P. Crysler’s company. He now holds a Captain’s commission in the 1st regiment Dundas militia.
Mr. Loucks has always been a farmer, and since 1846 has held the office of clerk. of the Division Court for the united counties of Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry, and is also a justice of the peace, performing all his duties faithfully at the age of 83 years. He is a wonderfully well preserved man clear headed and strong, and elastic in body for a man of that number of years. He was warden of the Church of England for thirty-three years, and has always borne a most excellent character.
July 27, 1817, Alta, daughter of Dr. John Moseley, of Williamsburg, was joined in wedlock with Mr. Loucks, and they had six children, five of them still living. The eldest son, John William, represented the county of Russell at one time, in the Dominion Parliament, his home being in the township of Russell. Allen is married and lives on Williamsburg. Guy N., the other son, is with his father on the homestead. The two daughters are married. Guy holds a Lieutenant’s commission in Captain T. F. Rubridge’s company of artillery, formed at the time of the Trent affair.
Mr. Loucks has a good memory, and his recollections of early times in Canada are full and instructive. He is very communicative, a pleasant talker, and as cordial as a politician, when before the people soliciting votes.
