Person:Thomas Austin (35)

"The Janesville Daily Gazette", Janesville, Wisconsin, Monday, June 20, 1892, p 3.
The remains of Thomas H. Austin were buried in the cemetery at Johnstown this afternoon, services being held at the home at 2 o'clock. Mr. Austin's death occurred Saturday at 11:40 o'clock, after a brief illness of pneumonia.
Mr. Austin was born in New York, June 22, 1830, and came to Wisconsin with his father, John Austin, when a mere lad, he being only twelve years old. They visited Wisconsin on a prospecting tour, and 1842 decided to locate in Rock county, the father purchased a tract of 1,100 acres of land. They went back to New York, and finally returned in 1845, making Rock county their permanent home. On arriving at manhood Thomas H. commenced business for himself, remaining on a farm at Johnstown where he resided until his death. He was an industrious farmer, and was also extensively engaged in stock raising, buying and selling cattle and hogs, his farms, of which he owned several, always being heavily stocked. He frequently exported cattle to the old country.
Mr. Austin married in 1848, Miss Caroline Ruth Williams, eleven children being the fruit of their union, ten of whom, with the mother, survive, they being Henry William, of Lima Center; Edward M., of Johnstown Center; Lester C., Mrs. Laura E. Charlton, wife of George Charlton, of this city; Frank T., Grant C., Alpheus J., Minnie Lillian, George G., and Bert W., of Johnstown.
Two brothers and five sisters also survive, they being: John, David W., Mrs. Abigail Sawyer, Mrs. Mary J. Pratt, Mrs. Catherine L. Ward, Mrs. Sarah A. Sharp, Mrs. Ann Eliza Hall.
While not a politician, Mr. Austin always took a prominent part in local affairs, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to advance the public good. He never aspired to political honors, yet he frequently represented his town in the board of Supervisors, and took an active interest in matters relating to his township. His pride was entirely with his family, and that of stock raising. He was familiarly known throughout Rock county and southern Wisconsin as Rock county's cattle king. His funeral was largely attended, especially by neighbors who had known him through his long residence in the township. Rock County Portrait and Biographical Album contains a well written and interesting biographical sketch of Mr. Austin's life.

Thomas H. Austin, who resides on section 20, Johnstown Township, has witnessed the growth and development of Rock County from its earliest settlement. He was born on the 22nd day of June, 1830, in the Empire State, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Williams) Austin, who were the parents of ten children. Rebecca, the oldest, is the widow of Peter Young and resides in New York; John is a resident of the town of Harmony; Abagail, widow of Eber Sawyer, is living in Waterford, Wis.; David makes his home at Brodhead, Wis.; Mary Jane wedded Morris Pratt, a resident of Whitewater, Wis.; Thomas H. was the next in order of birth; Catherine, wife of Volney Wood, is living in Johnstown Center; Eber died leaving a wife, who now resides in DeKalb County, Ill.; Sarah married George Sharp, whose home is in Paxton, Ill.; and Eliza became the wife of Gregory D. Hall, a resident of Johnstown.
In 1842, our subject, in company with his father, made a trip to the West for the purpose of viewing the country prior to making a location and while on that trip visited this county. This was his first introduction to Wisconsin, which was to be his future home. The father purchased 1100 acres of land in Rock County, and after returning for his family settled permanently in this community, where he engaged quite extensively in farming until his death, which occurred July 31, 1872. He was born in 1789. Mrs. Austin departed this life in 1847, when forty-five years of age. Thomas was unmarried, when, with his father, he made his first trip to Wisconsin, nor did he make a home for himself until several years later. Returning to the Empire State, he remained with the family until their preparations for removing to Wisconsin were completed, when, with the others he started for the new home, reaching Milwaukee on the 1st day of June, 1845.
Continuing under the parental roof until three years had passed away, Mr. Austin then united his destiny with Miss Caroline R. Williams, a daughter of Alpheus and Laura (Powell) Williams. She was born in Vermont on the 4th day of December, 1834, and was one of a family of twelve children. Her father was born March 1, 1798, and died Jan. 11, 1873, while her mother, who was born Feb. 9, 1799, died Aug. 24, 1868. At one time eleven children gathered around the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Austin, but several are now in homes of their own, while one has been called to the eternal world. William Henry, the oldest, is a farmer and is now living in Lima Center; Edward is a resident of Johnstown Center; Lester is at home; Laura is the wife of George Charleton, whose home is in Janesville; Rebecca May is now deceased; Frank is at home; Grant is attending the State University; Alpheus and Minnie Lillian are students of Milton College; George and Bert are still with their parents.
At the time of his marriage our subject was the owner of 320 acres of land. His life has been one of industry and in his business pursuits he has been very successful, being one of the most extensive land owners in the county. His various farms aggregate 2,400 acres of land, which is located in Johnstown, Harmony, Milton and Lima townships. He carries on general farming, operating about 500 acres and in connection makes a specialty of stock raising.
He is extensively engaged in buying, selling, feeding and shipping stock, and is probably more largely interested in this important industry than any man in Rock County. He has exported cattle to the English market, and in the early part of June, 1889, he shipped from Janesville for export, 199 head of cattle, which were admitted by all to be the finest shipment of cattle ever sent from this county. In connection with his agricultural pursuits, he cultivates an average of about twenty acres of tobacco annually.
Mr. Austin has always taken a lively interest in educational matters and has given his family all the available advantages for acquiring education to fit them for any position in life that they may be called upon to fill.
Mr. Austin is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word, and has not sought public distinction in that direction, preferring to devote his time and energies to the more agreeable pursuits of farm life. He is an enterprising citizen in whom every worthy public enterprise finds a warm supporter. In recording the life work of this worthy pioneer, we cheerfully give place to one who has not only witnessed the entire growth and development of this county, but has borne no inconsiderable part in its advancement.
On his farm may generally be found 150 head of cattle, 200 head of hogs and about thirty horses. In his political sentiments, Mr. Austin is a supporter of the Republican party and has served as a member of the township board of supervisors. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church and are held in high respect by their many friends. An energetic, enterprising business man, honest and upright in all his dealings, he wins the confidence of all with who he comes in contact and is every where acknowledged to be one of Rock County's best citizens.