Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Transcribed by Christy Janke

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 245 - 246

Chauncey J. Austin, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Wisconsin, and a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Pennsylvania March 9, 1840. His parents, Alvah and Lucinda (Stowell) Austin, who moved from Pennsylvania to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in 1844, devoted the best part of their lives to the upbuilding of the uncultivated and uncivilized wilderness of Wisconsin, and the father died and now rests in the cemetery of Mapleton, near Oconomowoc. The mother died in La Crosse in the autumn of 1988, and is buried in that city. Her death occurred in her eighty-third year.

Chauncey J. Austin, the subject of this article, came with his parents to Wisconsin when he was four years of age. He received the common school education afforded at that time in Wisconsin, remained at home until he reached his majority, and learned the trade of carpenter. In 1861 he came to White Creek, Adams county, where he purchased a tract of land near the village. Here he engaged in the hop industry, and was successful in the enterprise, demonstrating that hops can be successfully cultivated in Adams county.

In August, 1862, he responded to the country's call for soldiers, and enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He remained with his regiment through all its many and wearisome marches and battles, and did his duty as a brave and true soldier, until May, 1863, when, near Snyders Bluff, Mississippi, he was seized by an attack of dysentery, and suffered, severely from that time on until in May, 1864, he was sent to Decatur to the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. In June, 1864, he received his discharge from the Twenty-fifth Regiment, and was commissioned first lieutenant in the Forty-second Wisconsin, by Governor Lewis. He came home to Madison, Wisconsin, on a furlough, and remained until September of that year. He was finally mustered out June 20, 1865, after a long and arduous service, marked by great gallantry, and honored by his superior officers for his courage.

He did not recover from his physical trouble contracted during service, and in August, 1879, he was attacked by what appeared to be paralysis of the lower limbs. A sudden relapse and a recurrence of his old trouble came on July 8, 1880, and for the six years following he suffered intense pain, and was never able to stand upon his feet, nor to so much as turn himself in bed without assistance. Through all these years of suffering he was always most patient and thoughtful, and ever considerate of the comfort and well-being of those around him. Though not a member of any church organization, he was a true Christian man, and the consolations of Christianity cheered him in his last sufferings. He was a man of great public spirit and generosity, and he took a lively interest in all matters of a public nature. It was largely through his suggestions and influence that the town of White Creek was subdivided into the towns of Easton, Springville, and Quincy. He was a Republican in political sentiment, and was always loyal to the principles of good government. He was married February 15, 1868, to Mary E., daughter of Calvin E. and Sarah (Twist) Reed, a sketch of whom will be found in connection with this article. Mrs. Austin still lives at the old homestead at White Creek. To this union two children were born, namely: George Edward, born April 22, 1869, who is now at home, and Alvah, born September 28, 1874, and who was married to Alice L. Henry, daughter of John A. and Augusta (Stowell) Henry, December 1, 1898.