History of Richland County, 1884, page 1258, "E.P.
Austin settled in Rockbridge in 1865. He is a brother of Hiram
Austin, and was born in the town of Franklin, Franklin Co., Vt., Feb.
28, 1830. His education was obtained at the district school, and two terms
at the Franklin academy. In 1852 he came to Wisconsin and located in that
part of Marquette county, now known as Green Lake county, where he worked
in a saw-mill and at farming until 1855, when he commenced driving stage
and continued it until 1858. He engaged to travel with a circus, which
he followed till 1863, when he went to Dunleith, where he was employed
by a transport company, engaged in transferring goods across the Mississippi
river. He enlisted in 1864 in the 10th Illinois Cavalry, and joined the
army of the southwest in Arkansas, serving until the close of the war.
He was honorably discharged at New Orleans, in June, 1865, and returned
to Dunleith, remained a short time and then came to Rockbridge. He married
in the fall of 1865 to Charlotte, daughter of Morris and Mary
Freeman, who was a widow at this time. Her first husband, who was Loring
Davis, had enlisted a few months after marriage, and died in service.
Mr. and Mrs. Austin are the parents of eight children - David Grant,
Everett,
Herbert,
Hiram,
Lena,
Martha,
Loring and Mary. At the time of their marriage
they settled on the farm formerly occupied by Mr. Davis, on section 10.
He has since bought and homesteaded other land, and his farm now contains
160 acres on sections 10 and 11. The frame house, in which they now live,
was built in 1869."
History of Richland County, 1906, pages 319-320, "EDWARD
P. AUSTIN, one of the sterling representatives of the agricultural
industry in Orion township... He was born in Franklin, Franklin county,
Vt., Feb. 28, 1830, and is a son of David and Rebecca (Hunt)
Austin, the former of whom was born in Rhode Island, in 1798, and the
latter of whom was a native of St. Armand, Province of Quebec, Canada.
The father was a blacksmith by trade and vocation and both he and his wife
continued residents of Vermont until their death... in 1851, he came to
Wisconsin, first securing employment in a sawmill and being thus engaged
about five years. He then became driver of a government stage between
Burlington and Stevens Point and between the latter place and Weyauwega.
He also carried mail out from Green Bay, making trips on foot and requiring
two weeks round trip... then went out with the Orton & Older circus...
In September, 1864, he enlisted as a member of Company E., Tenth Illinois
volunteer cavalry... honorable discharge in June, 1865... returned to Wisconsin
and soon afterward married and took up his residence in Richland county...
Dec. 17, 1865, Mr. Austin was married. Mrs. Austin's maiden name was Charlotte
Freeman. She was born in the state of New York, in June 1841,
and was a widow at the time of her marriage to Mr. Austin. She is
a daughter of Morris and Mary (Snell) Freeman, both of whom were
likewise natives of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are the
parents of eight children: David Grant, who married Etta Fargo,
is a farmer in Marshall township; Edward Everett, who married Miss
Eva
Henderson, is engaged in farming in the same township; Herbert Ernest,
who married Miss Mart, resides in Homewood, Grant county, as does
also Hiram Waldo, who married Miss Hendricks;
Lena M.
is the wife of John Clarison, of Grant county; Martha Belle
is the wife of William Abbs of Henrietta township; Mary Rebecca
is the wife of Alonzo Hoffman, a farmer of this county; and Bessie
Blanche remains at the parental home."
History of Richland County, 1906, Page 1247, "HIRAM
AUSTIN, one of the early settlers of Rockbridge, was born in
Franklin, Vt., May 9, 1822, and there he grew to manhood. When a
young man he learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he worked in his
native State until 1854, when he came west to seek a home. He came
to Richland county and purchased land on sections 21 and 15, of township
11, range 1 east, now known as the town of Rockbridge, and immediately
commenced to clear a farm, and made this his home until the time of his
death, March 14, 1869. He was a natural mechanic, and could do almost
any kind of work. A great part of the time here he worked as carpenter
and joiner. He met his death by accident. While teaming logs
the chain broke and the logs were unloaded on him, crushing him in a frightful
manner. He was conveyed to his home, and died a few hours later,
surrounded by his family and friends. He was twice married.
The first time, in 1842, to Laura Dassanse. She died March
3, 1849, leaving two children, Herbert and Marietta.
His second wife, to whom he was married Dec. 7, 1856, was Mary E.,
daughter of Michael and Catharine (Minnech) Statser. She was
born in Washington Co., Va., April 12, 1831. When she was eighteen
years of age her parents moved to Wisconsin and settled in Iowa county,
where she married, at twenty-one years of age, William Ethridge.
Her husband died after having been married three weeks. Eight children
blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Austin, seven of whom are now living--Charles
L., Edward E., Irvin, Douglas, Florance,
Minnie
and Hiram. Mrs. Austin's mother lives with her. She
has been so unfortunate as to lose her eyesight. She is now seventy-six
years of age, and enjoys good health."
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Douglas D. Austin was born June 7, 1862 in
Rockbridge Twp. the son of Hiram Austin and Mary Statser.
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Obituary, "Richland Center, March 18, 1869. Local Matters. Fatal Accident--We are pained to record the death of Mr. Hiram Austin, of Rockbridge, resulting from injuries received on the morning of Saturday last, while engaged in hauling logs. As we are informed, he was passing another team, when, from some unexplained cause, the chain broke which coupled his bobs, throwing Mr. Austin off the sled,--the log falling heavily upon his thigh and rendering him entirely helpless. He was taken home and had surgical aid at once. No bones were broken, but a fatal internal wound was inflicted. He suffered little pain, but died very suddenly and unexpectedly, in about fourteen hours from the time of the injury. His remains were kept till Wednesday, awaiting the arrival of a son from Iowa, when he was interred in the Richland cemetery with Masonic honors. He was about forty-seven years of age, and had long been a resident of the County. He leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his sudden death, to whom the sympathy of a large circle of friends are extended."
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