Francis R. Dufour, farmer and stock raiser, Jefferson Township, was born on Section 12, January 16, 1836, and attended the Vevay select school. His father, John D., was born in Switzerland, and immigrated to Kentucky, where he resided for three years, thence to Indiana in 1801. His mother, Eleanor J. (Taylor) Dufour, was born in Philadelphia, in 1807. They were married in 1825, and raised seven children. The father was a farmer, and died in 1845; the mother died in January, 1867. Mr. Francis R. Dufour has been a farmer all through life. He was married, October 30, 1862, to Miss Viola A. Stowe, a native of Switzerland County, born November 5, 1841, in Cotton Township. They had born to them seven children: Julia E., born July 27, 1865; Clara E. and Lily C. (twins), born December 6, 1867; Grace, born December 27, 1870, died May 23, 1872; Loring S., born January 27, 1876; Oliver M., born February 20, 1880; Belle, born May 10, 1883. Mrs. Dufour, Clara E. and Lily C. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Julia E. of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dufour raised hay chiefly in early life, but now makes a specialty of tobacco. His average yield is about fifteen tons per year.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell