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| Robert Austin; farmer, Sec 27, Austin Twp., son of William and Takey (Johnson) Austin, natives of Eldgin Co., Ontario, Can., where Robert was born Dec. 16, 1853. In the summer of 1870 the family came to Mecosta Co. and the spring following purchased 80 acres of timbered land, where the father and son labored together to clear the ground and establish a home. Robert Austin was married Feb. 1, 1876, to Charlotte, daughter of Solomon and Nancy (Gray) Cummings. Her parents were natives of New York, settled in Saint Joseph Co., Mich., where the daughter was born Aug. 25, 1849. The young people settled upon 40 acres of the homestead. Of this land 25 acres have been reclaimed and place in good condition. They have now an attractive home, endeared to them by their labors and the associations which center them. Four children have been born them, as follows: Maude Dec. 11, 1876; William H., Jan.21, 1878; Ira B., June 28, 1882. The latter is a twin child, the other died soon after birth. Mr. Austin is a liberal Republican in politics; is averse to notoriety, and invariably refuses to hold office. Mrs. Austin is a lady of more than ordinary intellectual accomplishments. She attended the district school in her native place until she was ten years old, when she went to Wyandotte, Wayne Co., Mich., and studied at the college about eight years. She also studied for a time at Ann Arbor, and finished her educational course at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. She was a popular and successful teacher before her marriage. |