Coopersville Observer, November 9, 1900
Dr. John Austin
Dr. John Austin was born in Safford, Onondaga County, New York, October 10, 1843, and died November 3, 1900, aged 57 years and 22 days. At an early age he commenced the study of medicine under the direction of his father, Dr. Ames Austin, then residing in Rockford, Michigan. He afterwards completed his medical education by a year in Ann Arbor and a course at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1872.
He began the practice of medicine in Rockford, locating the following year in Coopersville, where he married Miss Nellie Allen, and where their only child, Bernice, was born. In 1888 he moved to Howard city, and made that place his home until the fall of 1899, when he was appointed surgeon at the Soldiers’ Home. Resigning his position there last February he returned to Rockford, his boyhood home, where he has since resided. Though he had not enjoyed good health for several years, there was no serious thought of his coming death, and it was a great shock to his family and his many friends when he was found last Friday morning sleeping his last long sleep.
Besides a wife and daughter, he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Anna Kingin and Mrs. Sarah Collinen, of Howard City, and one brother, Thomas D. Austin, of Bellaire. The sisters were at the funeral services but the brother could not attend. Besides those near relatives a host of friends remain to mourn with them his sudden death.
The funeral services were held in the home on Sunday afternoon, November 4, the Rev. Chas. Neuse officiating, the members of the Rockford Lodge of F. & A, M. and G. A. R. Post attending in a body. Mrs. W. A. Jones, of Coopersville, Mrs. W. A. Maxwell, of Hudsonville, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ashley, of Howard City, were in attendance at the funeral. The body was taken to Coopersville for interment and was there laid to rest by the side of his father. The Masonic funeral rites were conducted by the Coopersville Lodge at the grave.