Francis S. Austin, farmer, sec. 35; P.O., Carthage; was born in Addison county, VT., in 1824. His parents, Francis B. and Eleanor (Whitten) Austin, were natives of Massachusetts, and emigrated from New York State to Illinois in 1848, settling in Fountain Green, Hancock Co., where he resided until his death, in 1855. She died in Kansas in 1875. The subject of this sketch was married in 1845, to Miss Poebe Mapes, a native of Indiana. To this union 9 children have been born, 7 of whom are living: George W., Charles, H. H., Frank B., Edward F., Alice P., Josephine and John T.: Mary J. and Emma Deceased. Mr. A. came to this county in 1852, and settled on his present estate of 445 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He was Town Constable three years in Carthage, and was largely engaged in the livery business the same lenght of time, where he resided nine years. Has been School Director, and was formerly a member of the Methodist Church. Politically he was an old-time Whig, and now adheres to the Republican administration, and is an early pioneer of Hancock.
