Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-21
GENERAL ALFRED AUsTELL
Who Grew Rich, Old and Hon
Ored-Then Diedin Atlanta.

OAA III AANNA1AAAA "a -
primitive direct way, educated in a
rough school, it was due 10 his admir-
able judgment and sagacity that Gem
eral Austell was able to hold his
leadership through the subtleties of
latter-day finance. Ii is due to the
rugged honesty of his character that
he never yielded to the thousands OF
temptations that beset men of fortune
and capacity. Connected with many
Of Atlanta's most important enter
prises, he came out of each with a
record above criticism or reproach.
An intimate friend OF his said to the
writer on yesterday Il remember
once when he had incurred a heavy
less. | said to him, General, l have
heard you were unerring in your ac-
tual business transactions and seldom
make a loss except when your friend
ship is involved That is true" he
replied, "but / prefer the feeling with
out the money, rather than the money
without the feeling
The First Presbyterian Church was
crowded at an early hour on last Sun
DAY morning By the friends OF the late
General Alfred Austell, and many
were unable to gain admittance. At
II o'clock the casket was borne in by
twelve of his personal friends, escort
ed by the officers OF the Atlanta Ma
tional Bank. OF which he has been
the honored President since its organ
~ization in 1865. The members of the
Board OF Education aud about TWEEN
ty Of his old friends, whose gray hairs
bowed in grief, lent additional solem.
nifty.
The choir sang with exquisite sweet.
ness What a Friend we Have in
Jesus" one of the deceased's fayorite
hymns.
DR.. j. H. Martin, after q. short
prayer. proceeded in a most solemn
manner to impress upon his hearers
the lesson taught by such sad and SOL
emo occasions.
He spoke at length Of the character
and history of the deceased; Of his
having been known for years as one Of
Atlanta's best and most prominent
citizens; a man Of large and massive
stature and commanding presence; Of
great strength of character aud capt.
waiting address, aad paid just tribute
to his qualities of mind and heart;
| Alfred Austell was the son Of William
and Jane Austell, and was born in
East Tennessee, six miles from Dan
bridge, on the 14th Of January, 1914
He was a iarmer-trained to manual
labOr-with his own hands guided the
pillow. Acquiring an elementary edu
cation at an old field school, he de-
termined to embark in other pursuits,
with a view of promoting his future
more rapidly
Some years ago | met an Ohio lady
who gave me an incident 10 the life OF
Benjamin Il. Wade, who was poor but
aspiring. His occupation was that OF
a woodcutter, and one day he threw
down his ak, declaring that he was
born for a higher employment-vowing
that he would 60 to school, educate
himself and endeayor to gain emf.
hence. | was informed that his friends
in after years placed a stone on the
spot where he threw down his ak, as
a memorial of the act. As a parallel
case of throhbing desire for a wider
theater Of action, the example Of
young Austell, throwing down his hoe
with the same determination, imme-
diately suggested itself. Although at
first be was unsuccessful. he afterward
obtained a position with his brother,
William Austell, Of Spartansburg,
South Carolina, a merchant.
1t is always interesting to observe
the struggles of a young, earnest and
ambitious nature, who with heroic
bravery and inyiacible determination,
boldly enters the battle of life. His
brother William failed in business,
but afterwards paid every debt in full
Young Austell then moved to Cam.
belton and commenced business as a
merchant. HIS business was prosper
Gus, and his gains, which we're large,
he invested in plantations. He was
married in 1853 to Miss F~ranscena
Cameron, whom he leaves %sorrowinl
behind him. Since the war he has
been President Of the Atlanta Ma
tional Bank-a prosperous, solid and
Trustworthy institution -besides be
ing engaged in planting, and a portion
of the time a partner of Austell & In.
man, which subsequently expanded
into the we'll known New York house
Of Inman, Swan & Co. He was also
engaged in the construction of the
Airline railroad, connecting Atlant;
and Charlotte and the S~partanbur,
and Ashvillo railroad. lie was noted
for his practical judgment, energy, dill
igence and fxedness Of purpose, anC
combined with these, justice, inteeri
ty, honesty, yeracity, fidelity. gentle
ness and u-banity. He was scrupu
lous to fulfill obligations, having, in
business career Of about fifty years
never failed to pay any debt with in.
terest. He expressed the desire tina
this inscription should be put on hi
tombstone: Here Lies an Homes
Man" Strong in his attachments Il
his friends, without vindictivenes
towards his enemies, self-sacrifcinj
In his love and devotion to his family
providing them with every luxury tina
taste desired, he was a man Of mani
loyAble qualities. His brother vii
liam's death cast upon him the care o
his infant children, and with lib.
crafty, love and fidelity, he has dis.
charged that obligation and assisted
many other relatives besides.
The final day OF account will reyea
his private charities, which wcr,
many.
He hath showed thee, o! man
what is good; and what doth the Lore
require Of thee; but to do rightly anC
to love mercy, and to walk huulbly
with thy God"
About sixty years ofhis life he spenI
out Of the church, and it generally
happens in such cases that they nevei
change, but he embraced Christ and
united with this church at the age O
three score-stating that he felt tina
revival to be his last chance, and tina
he wanted to take his children alonl
too.
The funeral procession was Que o.
the largest ever seen in Atlanta, ant
everything was conducted with per.
feet taste: His remains we're deposited