Luther's mother, Jane Townley, was born in Tompkins County New York on February 7, 1820. Jane was orphaned at a very early age and was fortunate enough to be raised by her uncle, Nelson Townley who also lived near Ludlowville. Blessed with beautiful long black hair, sharp, attractive features, and a handsome figure, Jane was hardy, self-reliant, and strong willed. She soon met Thomas Jefferson North, from nearby Ludlowville, with whom she fell deeply in love.

Thomas J. North, son of Joshua North, was born April 5, 1813. At the time he met Jane, he was a young, adventurous man of medium height, raven black hair, and had distinctive, dark burning eyes. They were married in January 1837, and immediately moved to the rich farming country near what is now Mansfield, Ohio. No doubt they had the same dreams other young people had when first setting off together in life, and they were determined to make a living in a new and exciting America -

Mrs. North gave birth to a son, James on September 11, 1838 followed by, Frank, March 10, 1840 and Luther, March 1, 1846. The boys were followed by two girls, Sarah Elizabeth in 1848 and Alphonsene in 1850.

Growing up on a farm was a definite advantage. Taking advantage of the woods, streams and outdoor environment, the North boys grew up hunting, fishing, tracking and trapping small game. Thomas, also an avid outdoorsman, encouraged the young boys to learn all they could about woodcraft and animal life, never missing a time when he could be with them. Time went by quickly, and James was the first of the family to succumb to what was referred to then as "wanderlust."

At the age of 17, James left home and headed west in 1855 to Des Moines, then a growing city on the outskirts of the western frontier. In the winter of 1856, his father joined him. Thomas had unfortunately lost the land he was farming, and felt his best chance to keep the family together was to join his son and find new work. He could then send for his family as soon as he had established a foothold in this new frontier.

James worked for a surveying party when his father arrived, and Thomas was quickly hired just before the group was to leave for a frontier settlement called Omaha, then the capitol of the newly organized territory of Nebraska. Their job was to go out and "sectionize" the land in and around this fast-growing settlement on the Missouri River. Working steadily throughout the winter, Thomas was satisfied that the surveying job would last indefinitely, so he sent for Jane and the rest of the family.

Full of hope and without hesitation, Jane packed up all they owned in large trunks and started on the trip west with her children in the early 1850's. And with that, the story of the North family...begins ---

By Jeff O'Donnell