- GEORGE A. AUSTIN, a representative and progressive farmer
of Magnolia Township, and one
- of its self-made men, has been a resident of Rock County
since the month of May, 1855, and has been identified with the
upbuilding and promotion of the leading interests of the community.
He was born in Frankfort, Herkimer, Co., N.Y., May 27, 1828,
and his parents, Henry and Margaret (LEE) AUSTIN, there resided
for many years. They were natives of Rhode Island, however, and
descended from English ancestry. The AUSTIN family was founded
in America by three brothers who emigrated from England to this
country during the early colonial days. Henry AUSTIN, on arriving
at man's estate, was united in marriage, in Herkimer County,
N.Y., with Miss Margaret LEE. He was born at Schuyler, Feb. 2,
1802, and is yet residing in Frankfort, at the ripe old age of
eighty-seven years. His wife, who was born at Frankfort in 1804,
died at that place on the 5th day of November, 1876. For many
years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which
Mr. AUSTIN also belongs. They were the parents of twelve children,
eight sons and four daughters, all born in Herkimer County -
James E. is now station agent in Rupert, Vt.; Elizabeth is the
wife of George CURTIS, who served in the rebellion in the 146th
New York Infantry, and is now a resident of Rome, N.Y.; George
H., of this sketch, is the third in order of birth; Freeborn
L., who served in the late war in the 11th Regiment - Wisconsin
Infantry, is a resident farmer of Lyon County, Minn.; Charles
S. is living in Cattaraugus County, N.Y.; Alpheus B., who was
in government employ during the late war as wagonmaster, and
was for many years a merchant, died about the year 1880; Helen
L., who became the wife of Peter DEDRICK, Jr., and died in Magnolia,
July 16, 1857, leaving a daughter, Ella L., who is now a resident
of Utica, N.Y.; Margaret A., widow of Abram BARNES, makes her
home with our subject; Lucius, who served a member of Bates'
Battery in the late war, is living on the old homestead near
Frankfort, N.Y., which has been in possession of the AUSTIN family
for fifty-one years; William S., who was also a member of Bates'
Battery, is a resident of Evansville, Wis.; Nancy J. is the wife
of James HULSER of Utica, N.Y.; Stephen T., of Company D., 121st
New York Infantry, died in the capital city of our nation while
serving in the late war.
- Ezekiel CHAPMAN, the great-great-grandfather of Mr. AUSTIN,
was a manufacturer of
- firearms for the Government at the time of the Revolutionary
War, and was the first man in America to discover the art of
molding cast steel. Freeborn AUSTIN, the grandfather of our subject,
served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Margaret LEE was descended
from English ancestors, who settled in America in colonial days,
and was a distant relative of Robert E. LEE, the distinguished
Confederate General.
- George H. AUSTIN was educated in his native county, where
he made his home until 1854.
- During early life he engaged in boating on the Erie Canal
from Buffalo to New York City, following this occupation until
the year above mentioned, when desiring to turn his attention
to agricultural pursuits, he followed the course of human emigration
westward, and located in Rock County, Wis., where he rented a
farm on section 14, in the town of Magnolia. In connection with
the care of the farm, he also worked at the carpenter's trade.
Returning to his home in New York, in the month of December,
1855, Mr. AUSTIN spent the winter in his native county, and on
the 20th day of February, 1856, married Miss Maria BURTON, who
was born in Utica, Oneida County, March 8, 1831. Her parents,
Lakford and Mary (WELSTEAD) BURTON, were natives of Kent County,
England, and emigrated to this country about 1830, and became
residents of Rock County in 1860. Mr. BURTON now makes his home
with Mr. and Mrs. AUSTIN, and though in his eightieth year, is
still hale and hearty. His wife was called to her final rest
Sept. 10, 1879, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
- By the union of our subject and his wife one child has been
born, Henry L., born in Magnolia, July
- 24, 1860. He has received the best educational advantages
thereby fitting himself in life for any position which he might
be called upon to fill, but he now resides with his parents on
the farm. In March, 1856, Mr. AUSTIN with his young bride returned
to Rock County, renting a farm of eighty acres on section 14,
Magnolia Township, of which he is now the owner. The home is
a model of neatness, and the entire surroundings indicate thrift
and refinement. For many years he has filled various township
offices, to which he has been elected by the Republican party,
of which organization he is a faithful adherent. In the work
of reform, and in the advancement of social and religious interests
he has always been found in the front ranks. He is heartily in
sympathy with the temperance movement, never using spirituous
liquors in any form, but doing all in his power to prevent the
use and manufacture of intoxicating drinks by others for many
years he has been a member of the Good Templars Lodge, an organization
for the promotion of temperance principles. His influence and
support are always given on the side of right, and his honorable,
upright life is well worthy of emulation. Honored and respected
he is held in the highest esteem by all, and his history deserves
a prominent place in the permanent record of Rock County.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 289-290.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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