Edward John Austin

GEDCOM Note

He was christened as Edwin and went into service the first time as John Edwin and they changed his name to Edward even though he signed the papers Edwin, and he used Edward after. NARA records show him born in Calumet Co., WI but he was born in Maine. He was 23 and a farmer when he enlisted in the 14th regiment as a Pvt, WI infantry. He enlisted in Fond Du Lac for 3 years. He is described as having blue eyes, light. brown hair, dark complexion and 5'9' tall. Mustered in Feb 26, 1864 bounty paid $60. Assigned to Co. G. He was from the town of New Holstein, Calumet Co. 5th Cong. District. He was appointed 1st Sgt Nov. 11, 1864 volunteer. He was promoted to 1st Lt. 21 Feb. 1865 by virtue of Gov. of WI. On the Muster-in roll near Spanish Fort, AL he was mustered in 6 Mar, 1865. Entitled to $10 a month. Edward was a sheriff in Jackson County, one term, 1894-95, a two year term. He was a carpenter and a wheelwright. In 1870 moved to Merrillan. He had a wagon making business and an insurance business. He arrived in Jackson County in 1866. He wrote a 56 page narrative about life in Merrillan when he was a boy. He was an officer of Lodge No. 246 along with O. A. Rusco. He made additions to buildings. One of the additions was to the schoolhouse in Merrillan. Then a High School department was formed and his daughter, Eva, was one of the first three students to graduate in the Class of 1885, the first graduation.

Edwin and Sarah purchased Lot 1, Block 1 in Comstock and Owens addition in village of Merrillan on 24 May 1875 for $500 from Sydney E. Brown.

He served a term as postmaster of Merrillan. He held offices of Town and School Clerk and was a member of I. O. O. F. Merrillan Lodge, 246. Was a member of the Good Templars for 25 years. There was a meat market owned by Watson & Austin, but don't know if it had any connection to our Austins.

Pension records showed him applying as invalid May 4, 1889 and widow records May 6, 1916. In June 1900 census in Alma he is listed as an Insurance agent.

He wrote to Eva in 1897 when she told him she was going to get married from Hurley, WI where he had a shop He.enlisted in the 14th regiment as a Pvt, WI infantry.

Battles included capture of New Orleans under Gen. Butler; engagements of Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, Mobile. Wounded in Shoulder and scalp. Gen. A. J. Smith recommended that he be promoted to First Lieut. for the bravery he had shown at Nashville, TN in 21 Feb. 1865. He was Brevet Captain Mustered out in Mobile AL 9 Oct. 1865. Source History of Jackson Co. 1881 p. 417

History of Jackson Co. Has him coming to WI in 1858, settling in Manitowoc Co. which would be wrong. After the war, he went to Black River Falls where he worked as a carpenter. Came to Merrillan in 1872.

Source; History of Jackson Co. p. 415 E. J. Austin was census taker when the village was incorporated May 3, 1881 which showed 694 people there, gave Biography The family moved to Hixton.