Person:Adele Blair (1)

Adele was born in Nashville, Illinois, but by age 20 she was living with her widowed mother Angie in St. Louis (1910 US Census). She married Joseph P. Austin, gave birth to her only son Joseph Harold in 1912, and by 1914 was widowed and had moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma^[2] with her son and mother Angie^[1]. Marriage records have not been found, and it is unknown when exactly Adele married and when she was widowed (possibly before her son was even born). She was a stenographer/bookkeeper for a living^[2][3][7]. She was known for having a special skill in "hiding" money from auditors, not necessarily in support of any criminal activity but simply to help businessmen who didn't want money taxed that they thought should not have been taxed^[6]. Some accounts hint at having connections to family wealth and influence, possibly from the Blair family^[3], but other accounts indicate she struggled financially at least while her son was young^[1]. She followed the economic booms, first the oil boom in Oklahoma from 1914-1924, then the real estate boom in Florida from 1924-1928^[1][2][4], before returning to St. Louis by 1929^[5].

There may have been some dispute between Adele and her in-laws (parents of the deceased Joseph P. Austin) shortly after the birth of her son which prompted the move to Tulsa in 1914^[3]. There are some rumors that Joseph P. was an alcoholic, and that his father was planning to file for custody of Adele's son Joseph Harold^[6]. It is also possible Adele simply left an abusive husband and claimed to be a widow, since no record of his death has yet been located. Records indicate she had at least 4 different jobs and 3 different rented residences during her time in Tulsa from 1914-1924^[2]. When she took a job in Miami, Florida, she temporarily left her son with her mother Angie in Tulsa^[1]. One evening, possibly around Christmas time, Adele's boss in Miami heard her crying and asked what was the matter. She said she was sad because she still had a son in Tulsa and had not yet saved up enough money to bring him to Miami with her. Her boss had compassion and made arrangements for her to bring her son to Miami^[1]. This may have been the reason for the haste in moving her son around 1924 (Reference story in son's page). It is not clear whether her mother Angie moved with her to Miami or remained in Tulsa. Adele once told a story about being in Florida during a very strong hurricane when she went out to get an Old Henry candy bar but the wind was so strong she went rolling down the street like a rubber ball^[3]. The damage to the real estate market may have been the reason for moving back to St. Louis^[1]. Given the timing, the hurricane was likely the 1926 "Great Miami" hurricane.

Adele continued living with her son and mother in St. Louis (1930 US Census), although her son may have lived in a separate apartment at the same address^[1]. After her son was married she continued to live with her mother in St. Louis until her mother died in 1950. Adele died just 6 years later in 1956.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Interviews with 1st child of Joseph Austin & Frances Glowczwskie.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Tulsa, Oklahoma City Directory.

   1914: Austin, Adele (wid Joseph) bkpr City Supply Co r 839 N Main.
   1917: Austin Adele (wid Joseph) stenogr J E Crosbie r 716 N Main.
   1918: Austin Adele (wid Joseph) bkpr H F Wilcox r 716 N Main.
   1924: Austin Adele (wid Jos). bkpr Consolidated P L Co, r 712 S Cheyenne av

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Interviews with 3rd child of Joseph Austin & Frances Glowczwskie.
4. ↑ Miami, Florida City Directory.

   1927: Austin Adele (wid Jos) pub sten Columbus Hotel h301 SW 10th av

5. ↑ St. Louis, Missouri City Directory.

   1929: Austin Adele (wid Jos) h4940A Berthold av

6. ↑ ^6.0 6.1 Interviews with spouse of 3rd child of Joseph Austin & Frances Glowczwskie.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Death Certificate of Adele Austin.
8. ↑ Name recorded on 1900 US Census at age 10.