AUSTIN, Hon. WILLIAM E.
Practically retired from the active practice of the law and chiefly devoting himself to the management and development of his large property interests at Bay City, Hon. William E. Austin, of that place, has fairly earned a high and substantial station in life by a long and honorable professional practice, the application to his affairs of sound business principles, and a most commendable public service which has been given to both Matagorda and Brazoria counties. The latter phase of his career includes membership in the Thirtieth legislature of the state. Although his candidacy was opposed by what was considered a decisive prohibition majority, as the result proved, the strength of his personality overcame the normal poll of votes, and he took his seat by a handsome popular endorsement. The fine record of his legislative work shows his ability and his impartiality, although his politics have always been Democratic. As a member of that party, he also served on the first board of aldermen of Bay City; but although he is an earnest and honest political fighter, his public acts have always shown that he has a conscientious realization of his impartial duties as a representative of all his constituents, irrespective of party.
Mr. Austin is a native of Matagorda, Texas, born on the 11th of February, 1855, and his parents were William H. and Mary Elizabeth (Ives) Austin. His father was born in New York state, and came to Texas in 1843, when he was twenty years of age. He at once located at Matagorda and for many years owned and operated a mail boat which ran between that point and the southern bays. He died in New York City in October, 1878, and his wife passed away April 1, 1881. William E., the son, obtained his education in various private schools of Matagorda, and commenced his business career in a drug store at Columbus, Texas. After a few months the boy returned to his native town, where for some years he was connected with the dry goods and grocery business of his uncle, Galen Hodges. In 1875, he moved to San Antonio, but soon returned to Matagorda, where for two years he served as deputy county clerk, and in 1878 was elected district clerk.
At this time Mr. Austin was twenty-three years of age and succeeded himself as district and county clerk by five successive elections until 1886. During that period, he had been studying law and, upon his admission to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double sign to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double strain upon his strength and vitality had so injured his health that he did not at once assume the strenuous task of establishing himself in practice but spent about four years of his residence in that city as deputy county clerk. In 1894 he returned to Matagorda and not only engaged in a general law practice but perfected a set of abstract books which became the basis of a good business in which he is still interested. He also engages, to some extent, in probate matters, although, as stated, he has virtually retired from active practice. These interests, with the care of his large real estate holdings in city and county, give him ample employment, and mark him as a successful man of affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is identified with the religious and charitable work of the Episcopal church and is a most worthy citizen whose moral character is firmly entrenched in his religious faith. Married in 1893 to Mrs. Sophie Preisig, a native of Texas, he is also an ideal husband and domestic man. Although he has no children of his own, he is all that a father should be to Mrs. Austin's offspring by a former marriage. (Historical Review of South-East Texas and the Founders, Leaders and Representative Men, Vol 2, by Dermot Hardy and Maj. Ingham S. Robert, by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1910
Practically retired from the active practice of the law and chiefly devoting himself to the management and development of his large property interests at Bay City, Hon. William E. Austin, of that place, has fairly earned a high and substantial station in life by a long and honorable professional practice, the application to his affairs of sound business principles, and a most commendable public service which has been given to both Matagorda and Brazoria counties. The latter phase of his career includes membership in the Thirtieth legislature of the state. Although his candidacy was opposed by what was considered a decisive prohibition majority, as the result proved, the strength of his personality overcame the normal poll of votes, and he took his seat by a handsome popular endorsement. The fine record of his legislative work shows his ability and his impartiality, although his politics have always been Democratic. As a member of that party, he also served on the first board of aldermen of Bay City; but although he is an earnest and honest political fighter, his public acts have always shown that he has a conscientious realization of his impartial duties as a representative of all his constituents, irrespective of party.
Mr. Austin is a native of Matagorda, Texas, born on the 11th of February, 1855, and his parents were William H. and Mary Elizabeth (Ives) Austin. His father was born in New York state, and came to Texas in 1843, when he was twenty years of age. He at once located at Matagorda and for many years owned and operated a mail boat which ran between that point and the southern bays. He died in New York City in October, 1878, and his wife passed away April 1, 1881. William E., the son, obtained his education in various private schools of Matagorda, and commenced his business career in a drug store at Columbus, Texas. After a few months the boy returned to his native town, where for some years he was connected with the dry goods and grocery business of his uncle, Galen Hodges. In 1875, he moved to San Antonio, but soon returned to Matagorda, where for two years he served as deputy county clerk, and in 1878 was elected district clerk.
At this time Mr. Austin was twenty-three years of age and succeeded himself as district and county clerk by five successive elections until 1886. During that period, he had been studying law and, upon his admission to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double sign to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double strain upon his strength and vitality had so injured his health that he did not at once assume the strenuous task of establishing himself in practice but spent about four years of his residence in that city as deputy county clerk. In 1894 he returned to Matagorda and not only engaged in a general law practice but perfected a set of abstract books which became the basis of a good business in which he is still interested. He also engages, to some extent, in probate matters, although, as stated, he has virtually retired from active practice. These interests, with the care of his large real estate holdings in city and county, give him ample employment, and mark him as a successful man of affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is identified with the religious and charitable work of the Episcopal church and is a most worthy citizen whose moral character is firmly entrenched in his religious faith. Married in 1893 to Mrs. Sophie Preisig, a native of Texas, he is also an ideal husband and domestic man. Although he has no children of his own, he is all that a father should be to Mrs. Austin's offspring by a former marriage. (Historical Review of South-East Texas and the Founders, Leaders and Representative Men, Vol 2, by Dermot Hardy and Maj. Ingham S. Robert, by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1910
AUSTIN, Hon. WILLIAM E.
Practically retired from the active practice of the law and chiefly devoting himself to the management and development of his large property interests at Bay City, Hon. William E. Austin, of that place, has fairly earned a high and substantial station in life by a long and honorable professional practice, the application to his affairs of sound business principles, and a most commendable public service which has been given to both Matagorda and Brazoria counties. The latter phase of his career includes membership in the Thirtieth legislature of the state. Although his candidacy was opposed by what was considered a decisive prohibition majority, as the result proved, the strength of his personality overcame the normal poll of votes, and he took his seat by a handsome popular endorsement. The fine record of his legislative work shows his ability and his impartiality, although his politics have always been Democratic. As a member of that party, he also served on the first board of aldermen of Bay City; but although he is an earnest and honest political fighter, his public acts have always shown that he has a conscientious realization of his impartial duties as a representative of all his constituents, irrespective of party.
Mr. Austin is a native of Matagorda, Texas, born on the 11th of February, 1855, and his parents were William H. and Mary Elizabeth (Ives) Austin. His father was born in New York state, and came to Texas in 1843, when he was twenty years of age. He at once located at Matagorda and for many years owned and operated a mail boat which ran between that point and the southern bays. He died in New York City in October, 1878, and his wife passed away April 1, 1881. William E., the son, obtained his education in various private schools of Matagorda, and commenced his business career in a drug store at Columbus, Texas. After a few months the boy returned to his native town, where for some years he was connected with the dry goods and grocery business of his uncle, Galen Hodges. In 1875, he moved to San Antonio, but soon returned to Matagorda, where for two years he served as deputy county clerk, and in 1878 was elected district clerk.
At this time Mr. Austin was twenty-three years of age and succeeded himself as district and county clerk by five successive elections until 1886. During that period, he had been studying law and, upon his admission to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double sign to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double strain upon his strength and vitality had so injured his health that he did not at once assume the strenuous task of establishing himself in practice but spent about four years of his residence in that city as deputy county clerk. In 1894 he returned to Matagorda and not only engaged in a general law practice but perfected a set of abstract books which became the basis of a good business in which he is still interested. He also engages, to some extent, in probate matters, although, as stated, he has virtually retired from active practice. These interests, with the care of his large real estate holdings in city and county, give him ample employment, and mark him as a successful man of affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is identified with the religious and charitable work of the Episcopal church and is a most worthy citizen whose moral character is firmly entrenched in his religious faith. Married in 1893 to Mrs. Sophie Preisig, a native of Texas, he is also an ideal husband and domestic man. Although he has no children of his own, he is all that a father should be to Mrs. Austin's offspring by a former marriage. (Historical Review of South-East Texas and the Founders, Leaders and Representative Men, Vol 2, by Dermot Hardy and Maj. Ingham S. Robert, by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1910
Practically retired from the active practice of the law and chiefly devoting himself to the management and development of his large property interests at Bay City, Hon. William E. Austin, of that place, has fairly earned a high and substantial station in life by a long and honorable professional practice, the application to his affairs of sound business principles, and a most commendable public service which has been given to both Matagorda and Brazoria counties. The latter phase of his career includes membership in the Thirtieth legislature of the state. Although his candidacy was opposed by what was considered a decisive prohibition majority, as the result proved, the strength of his personality overcame the normal poll of votes, and he took his seat by a handsome popular endorsement. The fine record of his legislative work shows his ability and his impartiality, although his politics have always been Democratic. As a member of that party, he also served on the first board of aldermen of Bay City; but although he is an earnest and honest political fighter, his public acts have always shown that he has a conscientious realization of his impartial duties as a representative of all his constituents, irrespective of party.
Mr. Austin is a native of Matagorda, Texas, born on the 11th of February, 1855, and his parents were William H. and Mary Elizabeth (Ives) Austin. His father was born in New York state, and came to Texas in 1843, when he was twenty years of age. He at once located at Matagorda and for many years owned and operated a mail boat which ran between that point and the southern bays. He died in New York City in October, 1878, and his wife passed away April 1, 1881. William E., the son, obtained his education in various private schools of Matagorda, and commenced his business career in a drug store at Columbus, Texas. After a few months the boy returned to his native town, where for some years he was connected with the dry goods and grocery business of his uncle, Galen Hodges. In 1875, he moved to San Antonio, but soon returned to Matagorda, where for two years he served as deputy county clerk, and in 1878 was elected district clerk.
At this time Mr. Austin was twenty-three years of age and succeeded himself as district and county clerk by five successive elections until 1886. During that period, he had been studying law and, upon his admission to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double sign to the bar in the year named, moved to San Antonio. The double strain upon his strength and vitality had so injured his health that he did not at once assume the strenuous task of establishing himself in practice but spent about four years of his residence in that city as deputy county clerk. In 1894 he returned to Matagorda and not only engaged in a general law practice but perfected a set of abstract books which became the basis of a good business in which he is still interested. He also engages, to some extent, in probate matters, although, as stated, he has virtually retired from active practice. These interests, with the care of his large real estate holdings in city and county, give him ample employment, and mark him as a successful man of affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is identified with the religious and charitable work of the Episcopal church and is a most worthy citizen whose moral character is firmly entrenched in his religious faith. Married in 1893 to Mrs. Sophie Preisig, a native of Texas, he is also an ideal husband and domestic man. Although he has no children of his own, he is all that a father should be to Mrs. Austin's offspring by a former marriage. (Historical Review of South-East Texas and the Founders, Leaders and Representative Men, Vol 2, by Dermot Hardy and Maj. Ingham S. Robert, by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1910
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