Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-09-18


o. H. Austin, that fatal malady had
fastened itself upon him, and that his
end was near. He has struggled against
disease with a strong will and heroic
courage, but each week has brought
him nearer to helplessness and the
grave. He died on Friday last
in his own home and among his fam
lily and friends, having but recently
returned from Peake's Island, Maine,
where he went some time previously
in the delusive hope that the sea air
might restore his strength. He was
born in Eden, Aug. 81, 1888. He came
of good stock, his father being sol
der in the war of 1912. His GRANDPA
Their came into Waterbury many
years ago. About 1848, Asa Austin,
father Of Orlo, moved to Craftsbury,
where he gave his son such educa-
schools and the academy afforded.
He commenced the vocation Of teach
er early, and in due time, having ac-
quired college fitting, he entered
the University Of Vermont, teaching
at Bloomington academy that fall,
1852 The war of the rebellion break
ing out, he left his place in college
and enlisted in Co. F., 18th Regt. VT.
Vols. He was chosen second Eeuten-
ant, to be promoted during his SER
vice to be Captain of Co. A. in the
same regiment. His career in the
army was honorable and his promo
ton merited. A participant in all the
battles Of the regiment, except one,
he was fortunate enough to escape
wounds. Upon his return from the
army he decided to locate in Barton
Landing and engaged in the mercan-
tile business. Later he formed a
partnership with Capt. G. E. Joslyn,
and two or three years later, 1878,
the firm was increased by the addi-
ton of l. D. R. Collins and J. G. Park
er. The new firm added lumber bus
mess to their general mercantile bus
mess. By fire and and other misfor
unes the firm suffered severe losses
and were obliged to suspend. Mr..
Austin lost neither his good name or
his courage and soon erected large
building on the site of the ones burn
ed. Again he suffered a great loss in
a fire which nearly ruined his new
block, but he rebuilt and repaired and
went on doing insurance and other
business, meanwhile taking up the
study of the law. He was admitted to
-
successful in the amount of law bust
ness that fell into his hands. In Nov.
1881 he was appointed Judge of Pro-
bate on account of the decease of
Judge Cushman. He continued to
hold the place till the time of his
death, He has administered the Of
flee to the general acceptance of the
public, always very courteous and
obliging in the matters of court bust
ness. A man Of great spirit he has
labored assiduously for everything
that tended to benefit or improve his
village. He was prominent in church
affairs and for many. years was Sun
day School Superintendent. He was
interested greatly in educational
matters; he held the office of school
Superintendent some years, and was
first president of the Summer School
Association. Beside his official bust
ness he engaged in varions enterpris
es at home. He was director in the
Citizens Savings Bank of st. Johns
bury, and assisted many in his locality
I,o Of
and lending. Of late he has been en-
gagged in building several houses I'm
fortunately he got drawn into the
maelstrom of loss with many others
in this vicinity in the failure of the
Northwestern Guaranty Loan Asso-
citation, probably suffering pecuniary
loss himself, and falling into great
mental distress in his last weeks of
life over the fact that he had received
money from other parties to invest in
the defunct concern. Like other men
he may have had his faults, but he
planned and labored hard all his life
for others. His loss will be deeply
felt and his death mourned by very
wide circle of friends. Judge Austin
married Miss Sophia M. Joslyn in 1869
and six children have been born to
them; one, an active and beautiful
son of ten years, lost his life in Lake
Memphremagog and heavy sorrow
fell upon the family. His wife and
the remaining five children survive
him. The funeral services were held
on Monday, Rev. j. K. Fuller, pastor
Of the Congregational church Off