JOSEPH LUFKIN, fruit grower, P. O. Villa Ridge, was born in North Yarmouth, Cumberland County, Me., 1805, to Jacob B. and Betsie (Ludden) Lufkin. They both died in Maine. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are still living, the youngest being sixty-four years of age. Our subject remembers many incidents of the war of 1812. He was reared on a farm, farming being his father's occupation. He remained at home till 1825, and during that year he was present at the laying of the cornerstone of Bunker Hill monument, and saw Lafayette there. For three years then he worked at ship carpentering. In 1828, was married to Mary C. Merrill. She was born in Falmouth, Me. After marriage, he engaged in the mercantile business at Auburn, Me., and continued for about seventeen years. In 1860, he came to Union County, Ill., where he remained till November, 1863, when he came to Pulaski County, and for two years was station agent at Villa Ridge, he then moved on to his farm, and has been engaged in fruit and vegetable growing since. In politics, he is Republican, but was Democratic till after moving to Union County. Mr. and Mrs. Lufkin have five children, viz.: John E., Joseph H., Mary, O. A. and G. H. The daughter now resides at La Grange, Mo., her husband W. H. Thomas, being proprietor of River View Fruit Farm. The sons are all engaged in business in this State, the oldest being in family grocery business at Anna, Ill., the second for eighteen years was connected with the I. C. R. R., but now fruit raising. The other sons are in Villa Ridge, engaged in mercantile business and carpentering.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, page 291.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
