William Alexander Austin was born at New London, Virginia, October 3, 1852, and died at Springview, Nebraska, September 24, 1931, lacking only nine days of reaching the ripe old age of four score years.
He was the eldest son of Rev. Thomas Lovett and Martha N. Austin of New London, Virginia, who were among the early settlers and pioneers of their day and whose ancestry dated back to the Revolutionary War days.
At the early age of 15 Mr. Austin left home in Virginia and entered out on his own career among strangers, independent of friends or relatives. He resided a short while in Tennessee and another short time in Missouri. In 1868 he came to Nebraska, crossing the Missouri River on a ferry boat. His father, mother and other members of the family came to Nebraska in 1870.
He was of the rugged pioneer spirit, and like all the early pioneers, had a desire to explore the new Great West. At the age of 22 he landed in Colorado, and after a while established a ranch and was engaged in the cattle business. Some years later he moved to northwest Nebraska and established a ranch where the city of Chadron now stands, and in 1899 he removed to Keya Paha County to his present ranch where he has lived for the last 30 years. About one year ago, he retired from active ranch life and moved to Springview.
When a young man two-one years of age he expressed a desire to become a Mason and made application at Western Star Lodge No. 2 at Nebraska City, it being the second Masonic Lodge in Nebraska. At that time his application was accepted, and he was made a Master Mason and was a member of Western Star No. 2 for many years. After locating in Keya Paha County he demitted and was one of the charger members of the local lodge at Springview, Nebraska, after which he demitted and again became a charter member of Summit Lodge 195 at Colome, South Dakota.
He was an ardent lover and promoter of Masonry and was ever faithful to his obligations and responsibilities, having served in every office of the local lodge from Master down. He enjoyed the honor and privilege the last few years of wearing the Half Century Honor Badge presented by the Grand Lodge of Masons in South Dakota, his being one of only seven in the state.
He was a member of a large family, one brother and seven sisters, five of whom are still living, namely: George Edward Austin of Nebraska City, Nebraska; Mrs. Sallie V. Lewis of Sulpher, Louisiana; Mrs. Ella M. Guthrey, Vinton, Louisiana; Mrs. Mattie Talbot, Franklin, Nebraska; Mrs. Lucie W. Danforth, Hamburg, Iowa; and Mrs. Roberta L. Baker of Dunbar, Nebraska.
On February 5, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Garry. To this union four children were born, namely, Ella Franklin, who passed away at the age of 17 years; Seth Garey Austin, who still survives, Mattie Norval and Roberta Lee, who died in infancy. His wife passed away April 12, 1884.
He was again united in marriage to Miss Sadie Gillespie on August 25, 1885, his present wife who still survives him. To this union were born five children, four of whom are still living, namely Mrs. Bertie Lee Austin Powell of Sacramento, California; William Alexander Austin of Ridge, Montana; Thomas Lovett Austin and Andrew Warren Austin of Los Angeles, California; and Baby Jeannie who died at the age of four months.
Like many men of the pioneer days he possessed a fine noble spirit, was generous and hospitable to all who knew him and was a true, never failing friend in need, was deeply appreciative of his friends and numbered them by the scores. Those who knew him last loved and appreciated him most.
In his passing the state loses one of its best citizens; the Masonic Lodge one of its beloved brethren; the community one of its loyal members and the family a devoted and loving husband and father.
Taken from a 1931 edition of the Springview Herald
He was the eldest son of Rev. Thomas Lovett and Martha N. Austin of New London, Virginia, who were among the early settlers and pioneers of their day and whose ancestry dated back to the Revolutionary War days.
At the early age of 15 Mr. Austin left home in Virginia and entered out on his own career among strangers, independent of friends or relatives. He resided a short while in Tennessee and another short time in Missouri. In 1868 he came to Nebraska, crossing the Missouri River on a ferry boat. His father, mother and other members of the family came to Nebraska in 1870.
He was of the rugged pioneer spirit, and like all the early pioneers, had a desire to explore the new Great West. At the age of 22 he landed in Colorado, and after a while established a ranch and was engaged in the cattle business. Some years later he moved to northwest Nebraska and established a ranch where the city of Chadron now stands, and in 1899 he removed to Keya Paha County to his present ranch where he has lived for the last 30 years. About one year ago, he retired from active ranch life and moved to Springview.
When a young man two-one years of age he expressed a desire to become a Mason and made application at Western Star Lodge No. 2 at Nebraska City, it being the second Masonic Lodge in Nebraska. At that time his application was accepted, and he was made a Master Mason and was a member of Western Star No. 2 for many years. After locating in Keya Paha County he demitted and was one of the charger members of the local lodge at Springview, Nebraska, after which he demitted and again became a charter member of Summit Lodge 195 at Colome, South Dakota.
He was an ardent lover and promoter of Masonry and was ever faithful to his obligations and responsibilities, having served in every office of the local lodge from Master down. He enjoyed the honor and privilege the last few years of wearing the Half Century Honor Badge presented by the Grand Lodge of Masons in South Dakota, his being one of only seven in the state.
He was a member of a large family, one brother and seven sisters, five of whom are still living, namely: George Edward Austin of Nebraska City, Nebraska; Mrs. Sallie V. Lewis of Sulpher, Louisiana; Mrs. Ella M. Guthrey, Vinton, Louisiana; Mrs. Mattie Talbot, Franklin, Nebraska; Mrs. Lucie W. Danforth, Hamburg, Iowa; and Mrs. Roberta L. Baker of Dunbar, Nebraska.
On February 5, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Garry. To this union four children were born, namely, Ella Franklin, who passed away at the age of 17 years; Seth Garey Austin, who still survives, Mattie Norval and Roberta Lee, who died in infancy. His wife passed away April 12, 1884.
He was again united in marriage to Miss Sadie Gillespie on August 25, 1885, his present wife who still survives him. To this union were born five children, four of whom are still living, namely Mrs. Bertie Lee Austin Powell of Sacramento, California; William Alexander Austin of Ridge, Montana; Thomas Lovett Austin and Andrew Warren Austin of Los Angeles, California; and Baby Jeannie who died at the age of four months.
Like many men of the pioneer days he possessed a fine noble spirit, was generous and hospitable to all who knew him and was a true, never failing friend in need, was deeply appreciative of his friends and numbered them by the scores. Those who knew him last loved and appreciated him most.
In his passing the state loses one of its best citizens; the Masonic Lodge one of its beloved brethren; the community one of its loyal members and the family a devoted and loving husband and father.
Taken from a 1931 edition of the Springview Herald
William Alexander Austin was born at New London, Virginia, October 3, 1852, and died at Springview, Nebraska, September 24, 1931, lacking only nine days of reaching the ripe old age of four score years.
He was the eldest son of Rev. Thomas Lovett and Martha N. Austin of New London, Virginia, who were among the early settlers and pioneers of their day and whose ancestry dated back to the Revolutionary War days.
At the early age of 15 Mr. Austin left home in Virginia and entered out on his own career among strangers, independent of friends or relatives. He resided a short while in Tennessee and another short time in Missouri. In 1868 he came to Nebraska, crossing the Missouri River on a ferry boat. His father, mother and other members of the family came to Nebraska in 1870.
He was of the rugged pioneer spirit, and like all the early pioneers, had a desire to explore the new Great West. At the age of 22 he landed in Colorado, and after a while established a ranch and was engaged in the cattle business. Some years later he moved to northwest Nebraska and established a ranch where the city of Chadron now stands, and in 1899 he removed to Keya Paha County to his present ranch where he has lived for the last 30 years. About one year ago, he retired from active ranch life and moved to Springview.
When a young man two-one years of age he expressed a desire to become a Mason and made application at Western Star Lodge No. 2 at Nebraska City, it being the second Masonic Lodge in Nebraska. At that time his application was accepted, and he was made a Master Mason and was a member of Western Star No. 2 for many years. After locating in Keya Paha County he demitted and was one of the charger members of the local lodge at Springview, Nebraska, after which he demitted and again became a charter member of Summit Lodge 195 at Colome, South Dakota.
He was an ardent lover and promoter of Masonry and was ever faithful to his obligations and responsibilities, having served in every office of the local lodge from Master down. He enjoyed the honor and privilege the last few years of wearing the Half Century Honor Badge presented by the Grand Lodge of Masons in South Dakota, his being one of only seven in the state.
He was a member of a large family, one brother and seven sisters, five of whom are still living, namely: George Edward Austin of Nebraska City, Nebraska; Mrs. Sallie V. Lewis of Sulpher, Louisiana; Mrs. Ella M. Guthrey, Vinton, Louisiana; Mrs. Mattie Talbot, Franklin, Nebraska; Mrs. Lucie W. Danforth, Hamburg, Iowa; and Mrs. Roberta L. Baker of Dunbar, Nebraska.
On February 5, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Garry. To this union four children were born, namely, Ella Franklin, who passed away at the age of 17 years; Seth Garey Austin, who still survives, Mattie Norval and Roberta Lee, who died in infancy. His wife passed away April 12, 1884.
He was again united in marriage to Miss Sadie Gillespie on August 25, 1885, his present wife who still survives him. To this union were born five children, four of whom are still living, namely Mrs. Bertie Lee Austin Powell of Sacramento, California; William Alexander Austin of Ridge, Montana; Thomas Lovett Austin and Andrew Warren Austin of Los Angeles, California; and Baby Jeannie who died at the age of four months.
Like many men of the pioneer days he possessed a fine noble spirit, was generous and hospitable to all who knew him and was a true, never failing friend in need, was deeply appreciative of his friends and numbered them by the scores. Those who knew him last loved and appreciated him most.
In his passing the state loses one of its best citizens; the Masonic Lodge one of its beloved brethren; the community one of its loyal members and the family a devoted and loving husband and father.
Taken from a 1931 edition of the Springview Herald
He was the eldest son of Rev. Thomas Lovett and Martha N. Austin of New London, Virginia, who were among the early settlers and pioneers of their day and whose ancestry dated back to the Revolutionary War days.
At the early age of 15 Mr. Austin left home in Virginia and entered out on his own career among strangers, independent of friends or relatives. He resided a short while in Tennessee and another short time in Missouri. In 1868 he came to Nebraska, crossing the Missouri River on a ferry boat. His father, mother and other members of the family came to Nebraska in 1870.
He was of the rugged pioneer spirit, and like all the early pioneers, had a desire to explore the new Great West. At the age of 22 he landed in Colorado, and after a while established a ranch and was engaged in the cattle business. Some years later he moved to northwest Nebraska and established a ranch where the city of Chadron now stands, and in 1899 he removed to Keya Paha County to his present ranch where he has lived for the last 30 years. About one year ago, he retired from active ranch life and moved to Springview.
When a young man two-one years of age he expressed a desire to become a Mason and made application at Western Star Lodge No. 2 at Nebraska City, it being the second Masonic Lodge in Nebraska. At that time his application was accepted, and he was made a Master Mason and was a member of Western Star No. 2 for many years. After locating in Keya Paha County he demitted and was one of the charger members of the local lodge at Springview, Nebraska, after which he demitted and again became a charter member of Summit Lodge 195 at Colome, South Dakota.
He was an ardent lover and promoter of Masonry and was ever faithful to his obligations and responsibilities, having served in every office of the local lodge from Master down. He enjoyed the honor and privilege the last few years of wearing the Half Century Honor Badge presented by the Grand Lodge of Masons in South Dakota, his being one of only seven in the state.
He was a member of a large family, one brother and seven sisters, five of whom are still living, namely: George Edward Austin of Nebraska City, Nebraska; Mrs. Sallie V. Lewis of Sulpher, Louisiana; Mrs. Ella M. Guthrey, Vinton, Louisiana; Mrs. Mattie Talbot, Franklin, Nebraska; Mrs. Lucie W. Danforth, Hamburg, Iowa; and Mrs. Roberta L. Baker of Dunbar, Nebraska.
On February 5, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Garry. To this union four children were born, namely, Ella Franklin, who passed away at the age of 17 years; Seth Garey Austin, who still survives, Mattie Norval and Roberta Lee, who died in infancy. His wife passed away April 12, 1884.
He was again united in marriage to Miss Sadie Gillespie on August 25, 1885, his present wife who still survives him. To this union were born five children, four of whom are still living, namely Mrs. Bertie Lee Austin Powell of Sacramento, California; William Alexander Austin of Ridge, Montana; Thomas Lovett Austin and Andrew Warren Austin of Los Angeles, California; and Baby Jeannie who died at the age of four months.
Like many men of the pioneer days he possessed a fine noble spirit, was generous and hospitable to all who knew him and was a true, never failing friend in need, was deeply appreciative of his friends and numbered them by the scores. Those who knew him last loved and appreciated him most.
In his passing the state loses one of its best citizens; the Masonic Lodge one of its beloved brethren; the community one of its loyal members and the family a devoted and loving husband and father.
Taken from a 1931 edition of the Springview Herald
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