luth was mayor of echuca 1877–1878. he was married to rose o'neill luth (c. 1840 – 16 june 1874). he married again, to catherine "kate" o'hara (c. 1863 – 10 february 1889) in 1878. he drowned at echuca after finalisation of his insolvency. he was insured for £1000, which was claimed by both his erstwhile creditors and the beneficiaries of his will. the resulting court cases were complex and extensive. luth street, echuca may be named for him.