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Benjamin S. AUSTIN was born on the 14th day of February, 1817, in Burke County, N.C., a son of Nathan and Rebecca (TEAGUE) AUSTIN. Nathan Austin was born in Wilmington, Del., and when young removed to Orange County, N.C., where he lived until his marriage, when he settled in Burke County, remaining there until his death. His farm was comprised of land lying in three different counties--Caldwell, Alexander and Burke. His wife, Rebecca Teague, was born in Chatham County, N.C., where she resided until her marriage. To their union were born eighteen children, of whom five--William, Nathan, Ruth, Minta and Benjamin--are supposed to be living. Those deceased are Nancy, Sallie, Kenney, Isabella, Rosa, Mollie, Betsey, Rebecca, Polly P., and four that died unnamed. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Ireland, and immigrated to the United States at an early day; Grandmother Austin was born in Germany. The grandfather and two of his sons were Revolutionary soldiers, and at the time of the Constitution of the United States was framed Nathan Austin was seventeen years of age. Benjamin S. Austin came to Missouri in 1850, making the trip in wagons. He settled in Greene County, remaining three years, after which he went to Jasper County and, locating, remained there twenty-seven years. In 1879 he came to Lawrence County, passing on his way through Mount Vernon, which at that time was a very small village. His marriage with Emma REESE was celebrated in 1850, but after three months of wedded happiness the latter died, and Mr. Austin has since lived unmarried. He is the owner of 400 acres of fine land, of which 320 acres are under a high state of cultivation. There are indications of rich mineral deposits on his farm, which have not yet been developed.

From "A Reprint of Goodspeed's 1888 History of Lawrence County; Reprint Lawrence County Section of Goodspeed's Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties History; published by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., in 1888; Reprinted by Litho Printers Of Cassville, Missouri In 1973." as transcribed by JJR.

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