Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-05-23
C.H. AUSTIN, PIONEER, FALLSDEAD
AT HIS RANCH ON HOUND CREEK
Stockman and Banker,
Resident Of Montana
Since 1865 Passes to
Reward, Age 70.

Charles Henry Austin, stockman and
banker, dropped dead Saturday morning
at his ranch on Hound creek, about 20
miles out of Cascade, where he was
watching his employees brand cattle. Mr..
Austin had been in his usual health and
had not been complaining. He was seen
to fall to the ground and died without
uttering a sound. He was in his 10th
year. The body was taken in charge
by the w. n. George company and will
be held at the company's chapel pend
ing the arrival from California of Mrs.
Austin and their only child, Mrs. Earl
Johnson, when the funeral arrangements
will be announced.
The passing of Mr.. Austin takes from
Cascade county another of its prominent
pioneers who have achieved large sue
cess in the last half century. Mr.. Aus
tin had lived in Montana since 1865 and
had resided in Chestnut valley and at
the ranch where his death occrred since
1882. During the last 40 years he had
been one of the active leaders in the
building up of the town of Cascade and
the development Of the Chestnut valley,
not only in its stock but in its farming
interests and no enterprise that prom
ised advancement to that section, or for
that matter of any section of Montana,
which did not have the active support
Native In Vermont.
On Feb. 6. 1874, Charles Henry Aus
tin was born at Burlington, Vt His par
ents were. Mr.. and Mrs. William Austin,
his father dying when Henry was only
few months old. Educated in the schools
Of Burlington, young Austin imbibed the
lessons Of thrift and frugality that have
been characteristic of the New Eng
landers, and he also acquired the spirit
of loyalty for which New England early
became famous. When the civil war
broke out, Charles Henry Austin enlist
ed to fight for his. country's flag and
among. the other trying campaigns in
which he participated with the union ar
the battle of Gettysburg. He also
fought in a number of other important
battles. Throughout his life be always
wore the Grand Army button with pride
and took keen interest in the welfare
OF his comrades Of the eos.
When Mr.. Austin left the east. after
the civil war, he went to San Francisco
where he remained but a short while
before. going to Austin, New, to engage
in inning.
Comes to Montana.
He continued in the mining industry
at Austin for almost two years when
he started for Montana, going by way
of Salt Lake where he acquired saddle
horse for the rest Of the trip to Vir-
zinia City, reaching the latter place
on May 8, 1865. Shortly after arriving
in Montana at Virginia City, Mr. Austin
went to Silver Bow and later to Helena,
being, engaged for period in mining.
+ In 1867 Mr.. Austin turned his atten-
ton to ranching and stock raising busi-
ness and located on the Missouri river
q nf ho tol
the success that later grew into an
independent fortune, resulting in his
connection with practically all the large
ventures in the vicinity of Cascade, in
Guiding the banking business of that
city. His ranchinz enterprises took him
to three locations before he acquired
the home place on which his death oc-
Cured Saturday. He had headquarters
at Craig for two years and he was also
in Lewis and Clark county about four
miles west of Cascade for a time but in
1889 he secured the we'll known Austin
ranch on Hound creek which ever after
wards was the spot dearest to the heart
of it's owner.
Organizes Cascade Bank.
Mr. Austin organized the First State
Bank of Cascade in 1909, becoming it's
president and since that time he had
served as its directing head and the
bank. like all his other enterprises had
enjoyed a history Of unusual success |
He was also president of the Cascade |
Land & Livestock company which runs |
large herd much of the time exceeding |
1000 head of cattle, and also owns |
very large acreage. He was interested |
in the Cascade Mercantile company, the |
Cascade Realty company. the Cascade |
Milling company. the Home Lumber |
company and practically every other |
successful corporation that had it's head |
quarters in Cascade as well as with |
many enterprises having headquarters in |
Helena and Great Falls.
Mr.. Austin was married on Feb 10, |
1875. to Miss Sarah E. Hough who sur
wives him. To them were born four