This enterprising and representative business man and property owner of Flora is a member of the firm of Clark & Austin, which does a general merchandise business in Flora carrying a complete and well selected stock and gaining a patronage from the adjacent country that betokens a lucrative business.
Lincoln was born in Adams County, Illinois, on September 21, 1866, being the son of Moses and Mary L. Austin. Our subject had one brother, Clarence F. of Paradise. On July 25, 1870, his father contracted a second marriage, the lady being Nancy Hester, a native of Missouri and the nuptials were celebrated in Linn County, that state. To that marriage were born the following children: Lewis M., Araunah, Mary A., deceased, Raymond M. and Eddie A. the father was born in New York in 1835, and he enlisted in the Second Illinois Cavalry and was taken captive at the battle of Lexington, Missouri, but being exchanged, he reenlisted in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois and served until the close of the war. He received a wound in his left shoulder while in the service of his country. In 1865 his parents removed to Linn County, Missouri, where the mother died in 1869. Our subject grew up on his father’s farm and received a good education from the public schools. In 1879 the entire family came to Norton County, Kansas, and in 1881 Lincoln went thence to Colorado, and in 1884 he came to Union county, the family having come thither in 1882. He engaged as clerk for Rinehart and Albertson for one year and then did the same service at Summerville until 1885. In the following spring, 1886, he came to the Paradise valley and located a homestead five miles northeast from Flora, being the first one locating in the Paradise country, his brothers coming with him. He and Mr. R. Bacon held the first Republican primary, and being the delegate he had to go to Union. Our subject was deputy sheriff under Q.(?) A. Rinehart, the first sheriff of the county, and held the position for a number of years. Also Mr. Austin was deputy county clerk under L.J. Rouse, during all of which time he was steadily improving his ranch and raising cattle. He was also deputy sheriff under Mose Newby (?). Mr. Austin succeeded well with his stock and in addition to a fine bunch of cattle; he has a goodly number of hogs. In addition to all this active service Mr. Austin clerked for a number of years fro Stephenson and Hilt. In 1902, in company with George C. Clarke, Mr. Austin bought the general merchandise stock of the F. D. McCully Company, at Flora, and at the present time he and his partner are doing a fine business. In 1898 Mr. Austin was appointed United States land commissioner and two years later he was elected justice of the peace, also he has served as notary all of the time of his stay at Flora, since 1898.
Fraternally, Mr. Austin is affiliated with the A. F. & A.M., Wallowa Lodge, No. 84, with the United Artisans, No. 144, of Flora, and the Sons of the Veterans. He is one of the enterprising men of the county, has done a goodly amount towards the development and advancement of the country and is deserving of the esteem and respect given him by the people. His father lives in the Paradise valley.