Austin Handy was reared in the state of his nativity, and after arriving at years of maturity he engaged in farming, remaining in Illinois until 1874. In that year he came to Kansas, locating in Rice county, where he secured a homestead claim. Like most pioneers he had but small means, having "all to make and nothing to lose." He underwent all the deprivations and hardships incident to pioneer life, but he was not afraid of hard work and the obstacles and difficulties which beset his path were overcome by determined purpose and unfaltering industry. Game was plentiful in this locality at that time, but he had no time to hunt, as his time was fully occupied in his labors to improve his farm. He was obliged to go a long distance to mill and his nearest trading point was Raymond, but the rapid advancement of civilization soon brought to this locality all the comforts of the older east, and he lived to see the country dotted by thriving towns and cities, well cultivated farms and inhabited by a prosperous and contented people. He was an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and on its ticket was elected to a number of positions of honor and trust, including that of justice of the peace. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Bennett, was reared in Illinois and was a daughter of James Bennett, a native of the Empire state. Mrs Handy died on the old homestead in Rice county, in 1883, and the father was again married, his second union being with Mrs Sarah Graves, but this union proved an unhappy one and in 1897 he sold his property to his son and joined another son in Missouri. He has been a third time married, and he now resides in Barry county, Missouri, living retired from the active duties of life. He has reached the ripe old age of seventy-nine years. Unto Austin and Hannah Handy were born eight children, namely: Thomas, a resident of Missouri; William, James, also a resident of Missouri; Millard, whose residence is not known; Lincoln, a farmer of Rice county; Douglas, who died when young; Amanda, who departed this life at the age of eighteen years; and George, a resident of Stafford county, Kansas. Mr Handy served with distinction in the Mexican war, having entered the army from Illinois and served until the close of the struggle. In his social relations he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 749
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902