R. J. Austin Biography
As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement,
Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.
R. J. Austin is a well known representative of the shoe trade in Kenosha, where
for 16 years he has carried on business, his being recognized as of the most
reliable establishments of this kind in the city. He is a native son of
Wisconsin, his birth having occurred at Hazel Green, June 9, 1879, his parents
being James and Lavinia Austin. The father was a carpenter by trade, but in the
later years of his life was engaged in the shoe business.
After completing his public school education by a high school course, R. J.
Austin went to Kewanee, Illinois, and started out in the business world as an
employee in a shoe store. Subsequently he went to Madison, Wisconsin, where he
entered the employ of his brother, A. E. Austin, who is a shoe merchant of the
capital city. These experiences brought him wide knowledge of the trade and
developed his business enterprise and power. He was ambitious, however, to
engage in business on his own account, and carefully saved his earnings until
his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to
open a store of his own. In August, 1903 he removed to Kenosha, where he
believed he might find a profitable field and here established a shoe store. For
the past ten years he has remained at his present location at No. 217 Main
Street. From the beginning his trade has constantly increased until it has now
reached large and profitable proportions. His business policy commends him to
the support of the public, and he has many patrons who have continued to trade
with him through the years.
On the 12th of November 1904 R. J. Austin was married to Miss Eva Robinson, of
Madison, Wisconsin. They are members of the Congregational church, and their
lives are in accord with its teachings. In fact they upheld all those interests
and activities which benefit the community and uplift the individual, and in the
social circles of the city they are widely and popularly known. R. J. Austin
maintains an independent political course, voting for the man rather than the
party. He belongs to the Elks lodge, but is most prominent in the Masonic
fraternity, being identified with Kenosha lodge, No. 47, Free & Accepted Masons;
Kenosha Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest;
Kenosha Council, Royal & Select Masons; and Kenosha Commandery No. 30, Knights
Templar, of which he is past eminent commander. His life exemplifies the
benevolent spirit of the craft which is based upon the recognition of the
brotherhood of mankind, and which inculcates the spirit of helpfulness and
charity among its members. Those who know him esteem him as a man of personal
worth, and in business circles he commands the respect of colleagues and
contemporaries.
Typed by: Michelle Laycock