Admin/biog history
In 1881 Thomas James Luck was living with his family in North Street in premises adjacent to the Red Lion Inn: Thomas J Luck, Head, Married, 26, Draper, born Leighton Buzzard; Harriett Luck, Wife, Married, 26, Milliner, born Great Marlow, Bucks; Winifred M Luck, Daughter, 3 months, born Leighton Buzzard; Alice Higgs, Servant, 16, General Servant.
By 1885 he had expanded his business. Kelly's Directory lists his business as a general draper, outfitter, hatter, milliner, mantle warehouseman, silk mercer & mourning warehouse, with premises at High Street and North Street. The 1891 Census shows that the family had moved to the premises in the High Street, and the household had grown considerably: Thomas J Luck, Head, 36, Draper & Outfitter; Harriett Luck, Wife, 36; Winifred M Luck, Daughter, 10; Percival W Luck, Son, 8; Gertrude M Luck, Daughter, 7; Hayward Luck, Son, 5; Ella M Luck, Daughter, 2; Doris E Luck, Daughter, 4 months; Emily Wells, Sister in Law, 29; Florence Faulkener, Assistant, 28, Milliner; Mary Pratt, Assistant, Cashier; Herbert Mansell, Assistant, 22, Drapers Assistant; Frank Mansell, Assistant, 20, Drapers Assistant; Caroline Roshier, Servant, 29, Domestic Servant Nurse; Harriet Foster, Servant, 19, General Servant; Amy Lawson, Servant, 16, General Servant.
From 1894 only the High Street premises are listed in the Kelly's Directories. The 1901 Census shows the Luck family and the shop staff: Thomas J Luck, Head, 46, Draper & Outfitter; Harriett Luck, Wife, 46; Winifred M Luck, Daughter, 20; Gertrude M Luck, Daughter, 17; Hayward Luck, Son, 15; Ella M Luck, Daughter, 12; Doris E Luck, Daughter, 10; Hilda M Luck, Daughter, 8; Mary Luck, Sister, 48, own means; Marion Wells, Sister in Law, 42, own means; Nellie Mead, Servant, 16, General Domestic; Lilly Capp, 19, General Domestic; Emily Capp, 16, General Domestic; Winifred R Brown, 21, Drapers Cashier; Ellen Bird, 24, Drapers Assistant; Harry Atkinson, 39, Drapers Assistant; Charles H Bliss, 26, Drapers Assistant.
The business closed c.1907