Austin, Michael (1910)

AUSTIN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/24/2012 at 18:19:55

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Feb. 22, 1910

OBITUARY.

MICHAEL AUSTIN.

Michael Austin was of Irish birth, and emigrated to this country in boyhood, enlisting in the Civil War in the Twenty-first Massachusetts infantry in 1861. He served thru the war, being engaged in some of the severest battles with the Army of the Potomac. He was taken prisoner at the siege of Petersburg and served five months in Libby and Salisbury prisons. He came west, graduating at Iowa College in 1871 and in the law department of the State University in 1874.

He entered upon the practice of law at Toledo, Iowa, coming to Grinnell in 1880, as attorney for the firm of Craver & Steele, afterward being associated as a partner under the firm name of Craver, Steele & Austin.

As a citizen of Grinnell he was first and foremost in every good thing, and was associated with practically every good cause requiring character or public spirit until the removal in 1890 of the company's plant to Harvey, Ill. Selling his interest in the plant, he became identified with the Plano Mfg. Co. as director and treasurer and later with other successful manufacturing enterprises.

He has been trustee of Iowa College since 1886, and was recognized as one of the ablest members of that strong body.

The past two years he has been in broken health and has steadily grown weaker until the end came last Saturday morning.

He is survived by his wife, who has a very large circle of Grinnell friends to mourn the loss of one of our foremost men.

The funeral was conducted at the Congregational church this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock in charge of his life-long friend, Prof. L.F. Parker.

Tho twenty years have passed since Mr. Austin moved from here, the large circle of Grinnell friends has remained constant, and all join in the testimony that a man of highest character, successful experience and warmest human sympathy has been removed from our midst.
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