Here is another bio from the Rock County Wis mail list. Hope it helps someone! Mel >From Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin, publ. 1889 - page 289-290 GEORGE A. AUSTIN, a representative and progressive farmer of Magnolia Township, and one of its self-made men, has been a resident of Rock County since the month of May, 1855, and has been identified with the upbuilding and promotion of the leading interests of the community. He was born in Frankfort, Herkimer, Co., N.Y., May 27, 1828, and his parents, Henry and Margaret (LEE) AUSTIN, there resided for many years. They were natives of Rhode Island, however, and descended from English ancestry. The AUSTIN family was founded in America by three brothers who emigrated from England to this country during the early colonial days. Henry AUSTIN, on arriving at man's estate, was united in marriage, in Herkimer County, N.Y., with Miss Margaret LEE. He was born at Schuyler, Feb. 2, 1802, and is yet residing in Frankfort, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His wife, who was born at Frankfort in 1804, died at that place on the 5th day of November, 1876. For many years he w! as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. AUSTIN also belongs. They were the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all born in Herkimer County - James E. is now station agent in Rupert, Vt.; Elizabeth is the wife of George CURTIS, who served in the rebellion in the 146th New York Infantry, and is now a resident of Rome, N.Y.; George H., of this sketch, is the third in order of birth; Freeborn L., who served in the late war in the 11th Regiment - Wisconsin Infantry, is a resident farmer of Lyon County, Minn.; Charles S. is living in Cattaraugus County, N.Y.; Alpheus B., who was in government employ during the late war as wagonmaster, and was for many years a merchant, died about the year 1880; Helen L., who became the wife of Peter DEDRICK, Jr., and died in Magnolia, July 16, 1857, leaving a daughter, Ella L., who is now a resident of Utica, N.Y.; Margaret A., widow of Abram BARNES, makes her home with our subject; Lucius, who served a ! member of Bates' Battery in the late war, is living on the old homestead near Frankfort, N.Y., which has been in possession of the AUSTIN family for fifty-one years; William S., who was also a member of Bates' Battery, is a resident of Evansville, Wis.; Nancy J. is the wife of James HULSER of Utica, N.Y.; Stephen T., of Company D., 121st New York Infantry, died in the capital city of our nation while serving in the late war. Ezekiel CHAPMAN, the great-great-grandfather of Mr. AUSTIN, was a manufacturer of firearms for the Government at the time of the Revolutionary War, and was the first man in America to discover the art of molding cast steel. Freeborn AUSTIN, the grandfather of our subject, served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Margaret LEE was descended from English ancestors, who settled in America in colonial days, and was a distant relative of Robert E. LEE, the distinguished Confederate General. George H. AUSTIN was educated in his native county, where he made his home until 1854. During early life he engaged in boating on the Erie Canal from Buffalo to New York City, following this occupation until the year above mentioned, when desiring to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, he followed the course of human emigration westward, and located in Rock County, Wis., where he rented a farm on section 14, in the town of Magnolia. In connection with the care of the farm, he also worked at the carpenter's trade. Returning to his home in New York, in the month of December, 1855, Mr. AUSTIN spent the winter in his native county, and on the 20th day of February, 1856, married Miss Maria BURTON, who was born in Utica, Oneida County, March 8, 1831. Her parents, Lakford and Mary (WELSTEAD) BURTON, were natives of Kent County, England, and emigrated to this country about 1830, and became residents of Rock County in 1860. Mr. BURTON now makes his home with Mr. and Mr! s. AUSTIN, and though in his eightieth year, is still hale and hearty. His wife was called to her final rest Sept. 10, 1879, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. By the union of our subject and his wife one child has been born, Henry L., born in Magnolia, July 24, 1860. He has received the best educational advantages thereby fitting himself in life for any position which he might be called upon to fill, but he now resides with his parents on the farm. In March, 1856, Mr. AUSTIN with his young bride returned to Rock County, renting a farm of eighty acres on section 14, Magnolia Township, of which he is now the owner. The home is a model of neatness, and the entire surroundings indicate thrift and refinement. For many years he has filled various township offices, to which he has been elected by the Republican party, of which organization he is a faithful adherent. In the work of reform, and in the advancement of social and religious interests he has always been found in the front ranks. He is heartily in sympathy with the temperance movement, never using spirituous liquors in any form, but doing all in his power to prevent the us! e and manufacture of intoxicating drinks by others for many years he has been a member of the Good Templars Lodge, an organization for the promotion of temperance principles. His influence and support are always given on the side of right, and his honorable, upright life is well worthy of emulation. Honored and respected he is held in the highest esteem by all, and his history deserves a prominent place in the permanent record of Rock County.