Augustus J. Austin, deceased, formerly a resident of Payne's Point, Pine Rock Township, and a pioneer of Ogle County of 1838, was born near Toronto, Canada, in 1810, and was a son of John and Elizabeth Austin. He was a farmer by occupation, and was married Feb. 26, 1835, to Miss Annie Rutledge, daughter of Robert and Mary Rutledge. Mrs. Austin was born in New York, Dec. 4, 1813, and of their union 11 children were born, four sons and seven daughters. The four older ones were born in Canada, the younger at Payne's Point, Ogle County. Their names were: John F., who married Adelia Haselton, and they reside at Aldrich, Wright Co., Iowa, with one child, a son, who has blessed their home circle; Mary A., deceased, was the wife of M. C. Roe, of Grand Junction, and left two sons and one daughter to mourn her loss; James N. married Mary A. Youngman, of Payne's Point, and they are the parents on one son; Margaret J. is the wife of C. G. Robbins, and resides in Oregon, this county, their family comprised of two children, a son and daughter, but the latter is deceased; Catherine L. died July 12, 1876, aged 34 years; Charlotte, wife of Martin Ross, of Chicago; Robert A. married Amanda Ross of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they have one son and two daughters; William L. married Malissa Ross, their residence being at Aldrich, Iowa, and they are the parents of three children; Eugenia A. is the wife of L. E. Follansbee, of Olympia, Washington Territory, and they are the parents of a daughter; Harriet A. married I. J. Atwood, and resides at Stillman Valley, this state, of this latter union one son was born; Nellie E. is the wife of G. J. Burroughs, who resides at Payne's Point this county.

Mr. Austin and family came to Ogle County in 1838, and settled at Payne's Point, in the township of Pine Rock, on section 3. Mr. Austin entered 300 acres of government land at that place, and was engaged in farming until the time of his death, which occurred Sept. 16, 1880.

When Mr. Austin came to this county, he found a dangerous element in the sparsely settled community, known as the "Prairie Pirates", composed of horse thieves, robbers, and murderers. In the interest of law and order, he at once associated himself with a band of reputable settlers, known as "Regulators", whose avowed purpose was to protect their homes and property and to rid the country of the outlaws. His life was often threatened, and once a time was set to take his life, but the ruffians plans miscarried. He participated in the trial and execution of the Driscolls, as one of 111, and was indicted with his 110 comrades for murder, but was acquitted on trial.

Mr. Austin was an upright, honorable man, and a good citizen. He was a Whig up to the time of the organization of the Republican party, when he became a member of that organization, and always voted with that party. He and his wife were together members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Austin survives her husband and still resides on the old homestead.

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