Lufkin, Benjamin

LUFKIN, ADAMS, ROBINSON, PUMROY, RATER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/19/2009 at 17:13:49

Lufkin, Benjamin

The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest, and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monument, seen by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relentless hand of time. So far the record of Benjamin Lufkin, one of Jasper County's progressive citizens, has been of such a consistent nature as to give him a lasting good name among those with whom he has come into contact.

Mr. Lufkin was born in Lynn Grove, this County, November 7, 1860, and he is the son of William and Nancy (Adams) Lufkin, an old and highly honored family who were prominent here in the days of the early settlement of the County, the father having been a native of Freeport, Maine, and the mother was born in New Jersey. They left their far eastern homes when young and came to Jasper County, Iowa, where they were married. William Lufkin, in early life, was a ship's cabinet-maker, working on the interior finish of ocean vessels, and, being very skilled, his services were in great demand. After coming to Iowa he turned his attention to farming, at which he was very successful, becoming the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in Elk Creek Township arid he was one of the leading citizens of that locality for many years, his death occurring on December 31, 1881, when fifty-seven years of age. The mother died when their son, Benjamin, was but a small child. It was in 1857 that William Lufkin came to Jasper County, Iowa, and, as intimated, he soon became one of the stalwart citizens of the community, taking an abiding interest in the great advancement of his day. As a young man he made several trips to the West Indies as an ordinary sailor, and it was very interesting to listen to his reminiscences of such voyages. He became well to do in later life, owning at one time a considerable interest in the Jasper County Bank. There were but three children in his family, Benjamin, of this review, William, who died in infancy, and a sister, Eva, who also died in infancy.

After receiving a good common school education, gained by alternating schooling with work on the home farm, Benjamin Lufkin, in the spring of 1882, began working for himself by renting a farm for a year, after which he purchased a place. He worked almost unceasingly, and by energy, thrift and economy became the owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he placed under excellent improvements and a high state of cultivation and which is considered one of the best farms in the vicinity of Reasnor, Palo Alto Township, besides which he has other interests of considerable magnitude. He has a beautifully located and neatly kept home, which is presided over by a lady of fine qualities, known in her maidenhood as Joanna Robinson, with whom Mr. Lufkin was united in marriage on December 10, 1882. She is the daughter of S. D. and Ann (Robinson) Robinson, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents came to Iowa as young people and were married in Henry County and took up farming for a life work. Mrs. Lufkin has two brothers and one sister living, William and Charles Robinson are farming in Jasper County; Mrs. Elizabeth Pumroy, widow of Milton Pumroy, resides in Reasnor.

One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lufkin, William, whose birth occurred August 30, 1883, and who resides upon the place where he was born. He married Florence Rater, and they have one child, Omer, a sturdy little fellow of three years.

Fraternally, Mr. Lufkin is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and he has been manager of the local lodge for seven years, but at present does not hold that position. He is well known all over the County arid is a man of high ideals and upright principles. He has traveled considerably over the United States and has a fund of practical information, having always been a keen observer and a wide reader.
Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912