John Luckenbach was born in Algoma, Wisconsin on August 1, 1868. He established his career as a jeweler in Green Bay Wisconsin from the 1870’s through 1890’s. In 1898 he relocated to Los Angeles California where he also ran an extremely successful jewelry business until his death on January 9, 1926. His obituary is included below.

From a Los Angeles newspaper:

A Masonic funeral will be given John Luckenbach at the Little Church of the Flowers in Forest Lawn Cemetery this afternoon at 1 o'clock.  He died Sunday, of heart failure.

Preceding this service there will be private rites at noon at the residence, 2325 North Vermont Avenue, conducted by the Rev. J. Phillips Easley of St. Stephens Church, Hollywood.

The services at the chapel in the cemetery will be in charge of East Gate Lodge.  Golden West Commandery will furnish an escort.

For a quarter of a century John Luckenbach had been well-known as an upright, energetic business man and public-spirited citizen.  Leaders in all phases of commercial and civic life admired him for his genial, helpful character and thousands of persons mourn the passing of the man who unostentatiously gave them aid and kindly encouragement in times of distress.

Two decades ago, practically everybody in Los Angeles knew Mr. Luckenbach, and most of them called him John.  In his business as a jeweler and by sound investments he had become a rich man and had remained the poor man's friend.

Father Lost at Sea

In the early years of his boyhood the qualities of character were developed that won for him throughout his manhood the respect of the public and the love of those who knew him more intimately.

Born in Algoma, Wis., in 1868, John was but five years old when his mother was left a widow with nine children.  They were living in Green Bay, Wis., and the father had returned to the old country to collect a small inheritance.  On the way back his ship was lost in the English Channel and he perished.

From that tender age of five, John Luckenbach had before him throughout his boyhood the necessity of hard work and rigid economy, that the united efforts of the family might keep them together.  His mother taught the children honesty and thrift and industry.  The oldest brother was at first the mainstay; when John reached the age of 17 and the united earnings were larger, the oldest brother was ready for college, and John got a job and helped him through his college course.

Having served an apprenticeship in the jeweler's business, Mr. Luckenbach married Miss Lena Berner in 1890, and in 1898 they came to Los Angeles.  Mrs. Luckenbach survives him.  He was devoted to her and his home, and together they contributed constantly to making other homes happy, by relief of the needy, by friendly counsel, by promoting the advancement of struggling young men.

Always interested in public matters and in politics, Mr. Luckenbach never held public office.  He took a leading part in efforts to solve the traffic problems and did much to promote the development of Vermont avenue.  He was a director of the Bank of America.

Active Lodge Member

 Mr. Luckenbach was a thirty-second degree Mason, a charter member of East Gate Lodge and a member of Golden West Commandery, the Scottish Rite and the Shrine.  He was a member of the Elks, and of the Jonathan Club.