Austin, Joseph (1842-19180

AUSTIN, WEIK, BROWN, WILEY, COMSTOCK

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/5/2011 at 17:13:21

SPIRIT LAKE BEACON
7-25-1918

A WELL KNOWN
PIONEER GONE
JOSEPH AUSTIN LAID TO REST
IN LAKEVIEW CEMETERY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Joseph Austin, a well known pioneer of Dickinson county died at his home in Spirit Lake on Wednesday night of last week, July 17th at 10 o'clock of cancer of the stomach. Mr. Austin had been in poor health for three months past and the end was not wholly unexpected. For the past year his health had not been of the best. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. S. H. Turbeville, assisted by Rev. R. G. Acheson, a friend of the
family, from the Methodist church Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Interment was made in the Lakeview cemetery.

Joseph Austin was born at Wessen Underwood Buckingham-Shire, England, on December 23, 1842. When fourteen years of age he came with his parents to Rockton, Illinois, in 1856. On September 9, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C. 5oth Illinois regiment in the Civil war. On March 31, 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran. He was honorably discharged on August 14,1865. He saw much service during war having been in twenty-nine regularly fought battles and was under fire of the enemies for 120 days. He served under General Sherman's from Atlantic to the sea and took part in the grand review at Washington.

Following the war, the same year, he moved to Lake Crystal, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming on his own account. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Comstock of Garden City, Minnesota, in September 1866, the fiftieth anniversary of which event was most pleasantly celebrated by having the family all together in 1916. The year following their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Austin moved to Dickinson county, Iowa, Mr. Austin taking up a homestead in Center Grove township, about eight miles south of Spirit Lake, where they resided until 1900, when they retired and moved to Spirit Lake. Mr. Austin united with the Methodist church at Warner's Chapel in 1889, and has always taken a very prominent part in church affairs.

Mr. Austin was an upright and worthy citizen who enjoyed the respect and esteem of a large number of people, some of whom have known him for half a century. In early days he took an active interest in public and community affairs accomplished much in the up-building of Dickinson county. We doubt if in those days there was a person in Dickinson county who was not acquainted with Mr. Austin, as he was a member of the board of Supervisors for Dickinson county for a number of years, besides holding a number of minor offices in the management of township and school work. He was of a quiet and unassuming disposition, but made many warm friends, who appreciated his fine qualities. He was an affectionate husband and father, a loyal neighbor and a staunch friend. He lived a long and useful life and performed his life's work with zeal and honesty.

Besides his wife, he leaves his seven children to mourn the death of father, namely, Wm. H. Austin of Gilman, Iowa; Mrs. Mamie Brown, Table Rock, Nebraska; Mrs. Nellie Weik, of Odessa, Washington; Mrs. Clara Wiley, Tulsa, Oklahoma, J. C. Austin of Detroit, Michigan; miss Grace Austin of Cumberland, Wisconsin. All of the children with the exception of Mrs. Weik were home to visit with him during his last illness which he enjoyed very much.

Mr. Austin was the last member of his family, his brother having passed away in March and his sister in June.

The relatives present at the funeral from away were Mrs. Clara Wiley, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, W. H. Austin of Gilman, Iowa, and his two nephews, Chester and Geo. Austin and wife of Lake Crystal, Minnesota.

Civil War Record
 

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