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G. H. Austin

G. H. Austin, a respected citizen and farmer of Center Township, residing on section 17, has since March, 1870, resided in this county, coming from Kane County, Ill., the place of his birth.  He was born in 1846, and the family from which he is descended was probably established in America during Colonial days. His parents, Nathaniel and Abisha (Allen) Austin, were natives of New York. His father was a farmer and followed that business as a means of livelihood throughout his entire life. Accompanied by his family he started to seek a home in the West and in Kane County, Ill., effected a settlement. Securing some wild land, he began the development of a farm and in course of time the fields which he had improved were yielding him a ready return for his care and labors. For many years he there resided and was one of the respected citizens of the community. His death occurred in Independence, Mo., in 1849. During the early history of Kane County he took an active part in its upbuilding and ranks among the prominent  pioneers. Socially he was an Odd Fellow, holding membership in Aurora Lodge, No. 45, I.O.O.F.  His wife long survived him, dying in 1888. Our subject has one brother living and two half sisters. Andrew died in Kane County; Joel enlisted in an Iowa Regiment in 1862 and was killed at the battle of Arkansas Post, in 1864; G. H. is the next youngest; N. C. is married and resides in this county; and Mary is now deceased.  The half sisters are Mrs. Louisa Hill, of Evanston, Ill.; and Mrs. Phoebe Catlin, of Aurora.

Under the parental roof our subject was reared to manhood and at an early age put to work upon a farm.   The  educational advantages which he received were such as the common schools of his native county afforded. In 1864, when only eighteen years of age he enlisted for the late war at Aurora as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Forty-First Illinois Infantry. He was mustered into service at Elgin, Ill., and his regiment was assigned to the Western Department.  It engaged in many skirmishes and did garrison duty at Columbus, Ky., until the fall of 1864, when with his comrades our subject was honorably discharged in Chicago.

Mr. Austin at once returned to Kane County where he followed farming until 1870 when he resolved to make Iowa the scene of his future labors.  Crossing the Father of Waters into Fayette County he identified himself with her farmers and has since carried on business in that line. He chose as a helpmate on life's journey Miss Ida M. Mabon and the following year after his arrival in this county their marriage was celebrated. The lady was born in Kane County, Ill., and is a daughter of Thomas C. and Julia )McMasters) Mabon, both of whom were natives of the Empire State. They were married in New York, and in 1855 emigrated to Kane County, where he engaged in farming for some thirteen years. Coming to Fayette County, Iowa in 1868, he settled in Center Township where he has since made his home.  The death of his wife occurred in August, 1888, since which time he has been living with our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Austin began their domestic life upon the farm which has since been their home and their union has been blessed with three interesting children --- Adelbert and twin daughters, Ina and Ida. The home farm comprises eighty acres of arable land which Mr. Austin has placed under high state of cultivation. Since attaining his majority he has voted with the Republican party and takes an active interest in Political affairs. He has served as Township Trustee and also as a member of the school board. Socially, he is a member of Fayette Lodge, No. 170 K.P.; Randalia Lodge, No. 177,  I.O.O.F., and Randalia Post, G.A.R.