This photo of a large steam tractor pulling wagons of harvested wheat at Haxtun, CO, makes for a striking image.   As noted in the caption on the photo, this dryland wheat was “raised by G. C. Lucke.”  This was most likely in reference to George Carl Lucke.   

The Lucke farm, owned by George’s father Henry, sat 5 miles east and one and 1/2 miles south of Haxtun (Haxtun is about 32 miles east of Sterling).  In addition to working the farm, George threshed grain for other farmers.   It’s possible the postcard is a promotional item for his threshing business.  The man on the tractor in the picture might be George.  He was big  – his World War II draft registration, completed when he was 61, describes him as 6 feet 3 ½ inches in height and weighing 230 pounds.   

George married Aurelia “Ora” Lyda Brust on June 24, 1903, and they had four children, Lucille, Edgar, Bruce and Milton.   George was born in Nebraska in 1880, and Ora in Illinois in 1886. 

REFERENCES:

• Rogers Family Tree (www.ancestry.com)

• U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (www.ancestry.com)

• Lucke farming info provided by Lola North.