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E. O. AUSTIN, farmer, P. 0. Austin, Penn. Mr. Austin is a son of Oramel Austin, and was born in Greene, Chenango
Co., N. Y., in 1825. He received a limited education in his native county, and in 1841, with his parents came to
White's Corners, Harrison township, Potter county, remaining there until 1856, when he removed to what is now the
borough of Austin, then in Sylvania township. He soon after built the road from North Wharton (now Costello) to
his place, three miles. In 1870 he built the State road from Austin to Keating Summit, to bring his township in
connection with the W. N. Y. & P. R. R. which was built in 1872-73. He bought a tract of land, which he cleared,
and was largely instrumental in the location of extensive manufacturing interests. His solicitation with Mr. Goodyear
largely influenced Mr. Garretson to locate his business there in 1885, and this resulted in the location of other
important mills and enterprises. He was educated as a civil engineer, and was largely concerned in surveying and
engineering in his county some years ago. The town, which was named Austin in honor of E. O. (he being its founder),
was incorporated as a borough October 19, 1888. It is located on a tract of 147 acres belonging to Mr. Austin,
and was laid out on plans drawn by him. He has always been prominently identified with the town, doing all in his
power to promote its interests. Mr. Austin began life as a poor boy, and is emphatically a self made man. He has
been justice of the peace about thirty years, or ever since 1857, with the exception of a few months; was elected
county commissioner in 1863, serving two terms, and has been a school director forty years. He enlisted in the
war of the Rebellion in the fall of 1862, and served until July, 1865, being chief clerk in the depart. ment of
the Pamlico. Mr. Austin wrote the reminiscences of Potter county deposited with the State Historical Society, and
a history of the county published in Eagle's History of Pennsylvania, which has been of great value to the compiler
of the history of Potter county. He is a correspondent of many papers, and is a writer of ability on any subject
he chooses to discuss. He read law with Isaac Benson from 1847 to 1849, and fitted himself for the bar, although
he had no intention of practicing. He is the leading citizen of the town of Austin, and no man in the county has
a more extended influence or is more widely known and respected. He was married, in 1849, to Amelia Stedman, who
died, leaving five children. He afterward married Julia Allington, and to them have been born three children. Mr.
Austin is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342,
F. & A. M.
From:
History of the Counties of
McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania
J. H. Beers & Co. Publishers
Chicago, Ill. 1890
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