- THOMAS H. AUSTIN, who resides on section 20, Johnstown Township,
has witnessed the
- growth and development of Rock County from its earliest settlement.
He was born on the 22nd day of June, 1830, in the Empire State,
and is a son of John and Rebecca (WILLIAMS) AUSTIN, who were
the parents of ten children. Rebecca, the oldest, is the widow
of Peter YOUNG and resides in New York; John is a resident of
the town of Harmony; Abagail, widow of Eber SAWYER, is living
in Waterford, Wis.; David makes his home at Brodhead, Wis.; Mary
Jane wedded Morris PRATT, a resident of Whitewater, Wis.; Thomas
H. was the next in order of birth; Catherine, wife of Volney
WOOD, is living in Johnstown Center; Eber died leaving a wife,
who now resides in DeKalb County, Ill.; Sarah married George
SHARP, whose home is in Paxton, Ill.; and Eliza became the wife
of Gregory D. HALL, a resident of Johnstown.
- In 1842, our subject, in company with his father, made a
trip to the West for the purpose of viewing
- the country prior to making a location and while on that
trip visited this county. This was his first introduction to
Wisconsin, which was to be his future home. The father purchased
1100 acres of land in Rock County, and after returning for his
family settled permanently in this community, where he engaged
quite extensively in farming until his death, which occurred
July 31, 1872. He was born in 1789. Mrs. AUSTIN departed this
life in 1847, when forty-five years of age. Thomas was unmarried,
when, with his father, he made his first trip to Wisconsin, nor
did he make a home for himself until several years later. Returning
to the Empire State, he remained with the family until their
preparations for removing to Wisconsin were completed, when,
with the others he started for the new home, reaching Milwaukee
on the 1st day of June, 1845.
- Continuing under the parental roof until three years had
passed away, Mr. AUSTIN then united his
- destiny with Miss Caroline R. WILLIAMS, a daughter of Alpheus
and Laura (POWELL) WILLIAMS. She was born in Vermont on the 4th
day of December, 1834, and was one of a family of twelve children.
Her father was born March 1, 1798, and died Jan. 11, 1873, while
her mother, who was born Feb. 9, 1799, died Aug. 24, 1868. At
one time eleven children gathered around the fireside of Mr.
and Mrs. AUSTIN, but several are now in homes of their own, while
one has been called to the eternal world. William Henry, the
oldest, is a farmer and is now living in Lima Center; Edward
is a resident of Johnstown Center; Lester is at home; Laura is
the wife of George CHARLETON, whose home is in Janesville; Rebecca
May is now deceased; Frank is at home; Grant is attending the
State University; Alpheus and Minnie Lillian are students of
Milton College; George and Bert are still with their parents.
- At the time of his marriage our subject was the owner of
320 acres of land. His life has been one of
- industry and in his business pursuits he has been very successful,
being one of the most extensive land owners in the county. His
various farms aggregate 2,400 acres of land, which is located
in Johnstown, Harmony, Milton and Lima townships. He carries
on general farming, operating about 500 acres and in connection
makes a specialty of stock raising.
- He is extensively engaged in buying, selling, feeding and
shipping stock, and is probably more
- largely interested in this important industry than any man
in Rock County. He has exported cattle to the English market,
and in the early part of June, 1889, he shipped from Janesville
for export, 199 head of cattle, which were admitted by all to
be the finest shipment of cattle ever sent from this county.
In connection with his agricultural pursuits, he cultivates an
average of about twenty acres of tobacco annually.
- Mr. AUSTIN has always taken a lively interest in educational
matters and has given his family all
- the available advantages for acquiring education to fit them
for any position in life that they may be called upon to fill.
- Mr. AUSTIN is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the
word, and has not sought public
- distinction in that direction, preferring to devote his time
and energies to the more agreeable pursuits of farm life. He
is an enterprising citizen in whom every worthy public enterprise
finds a warm supporter. In recording the life work of this worthy
pioneer, we cheerfully give place to one who has not only witnessed
the entire growth and development of this county, but has borne
no inconsiderable part in its advancement.
- On his farm may generally be found 150 head of cattle, 200
head of hogs and about thirty horses.
- In his political sentiments, Mr. AUSTIN is a supporter of
the Republican party and has served as a member of the township
board of supervisors. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal
Church and are held in high respect by their many friends. An
energetic, enterprising business man, honest and upright in all
his dealings, he wins the confidence of all with who he comes
in contact and is every where acknowledged to be one of Rock
County's best citizens.
-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 870-871.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|