Biographical Sketch of

Lyman Austin

Transcribed by Suzanne Folk for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 398 and 401


Lyman Austin may be enrolled among the pioneer settlers of Green Lake County, he having made his home in this county 
since 1845. He resides on section 9 in the town of Mackford, and is one of its progressive and public-spirited citizens. 
He was born in Oswego County, N.Y., Oct. 26, 1821, and is a son of Lyman L. and Paulina (Reed) Austin. His father was 
born in Connecticut in 1799, and his mother in Madison County, N.Y., 1801. Their marriage took place in Oswego County, 
and unto them were born ten children; the family circle remained unbroken until all had reached matured years: Angeline 
became the wife of Henry Crouch, and together they emigrated to Wisconsin, in 1845, settling in this county, but they 
now reside in Dodge County, Minn.; Lyman, of this sketch, is the next younger; Amanda M. is the wife of Alanson Martin, 
a resident of Ripon, Fond du Lac County; Minerva is the widow of Peleg  Peckham, who died in Columbia County, Wis., in 
1887; Theron S. wedded Lorilla Mashom, and after her death was again married in Pennsylvania. He enlisted in one of the 
Keystone regiments and was killed near Petersburg, Va.; Andrew J. married Edna Brown, and is living in Monroe County, 
Wis., Melinda is the wife of Benjamin Baker of Winona, Minn.; Elizabeth wedded Edward Ames and died Oct. 9, 1889; 
Matilda became the wife of Thomas Phillips, but died in Dodge County, Minn.; William H., who was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Hannah Courier, makes his home in Missouri. The mother of this family died in 1845, and Mr. Austin was a second 
time married, Cornelia Cooper becoming his wife. Unto them were born two children-Merritt D. and Nelson, both of whom 
were residents of Columbia County, Wis. The family came to the West in 1845, and located in the Lake Marie settlement 
in Mackford Township, where Mr. Austin and his wife spent their declining years. In the early days, he supported the 
Whig party, but in later life became a Republican. He died in the faith of the Methodist Church, of which he was for 
some time Class-Leader, in 1877.

Our subject remained in his native State until fourteen years of age when he went to Erie County, Pa., where he spent 
the succeeding nine years of his life. On leaving that community he continued his journey westward until reaching 
Green Lake County. That was his first introduction to Wisconsin, but its wild and unsettled condition at that time 
bears little resemblance to the thriving and progressive commonwealth which today occupies a front rank in the 
sisterhood of States. One year Mr. Austin remained in the West and during that time he entered 160 acres of land on 
section 12, in the town of Mackford. He then returned to Pennsylvania where the most important event of his life was 
solemnized. On the 18th of September, 1845, he led to the marriage altar Miss Lou Emma, a daughter of Joshua and 
Sophronia (Shertleff) Church.

With his young bride, Mr. Austin returned to the home which he had prepared in the West and upon the land which he had 
entered they began their domestic life. For a few years it continued to be their home, but in 1854, he sold out and 
the following year purchased his present farm on section 9, in the town of Mackford. From time to time he has added to 
his landed possessions which at one time aggregated more than 1,200 acres, being situated in Eau Claire, Buffalo and 
Green Lake Counties, Wis., and a 165-acre tract in Faribault County, Minn. But a few years more, and a half century 
will have passed since Mr. Austin came to this county. But few of his neighbors are now remaining. Many have moved to 
other States and some have been called to their final home, until now there are scarcely any left to record the history 
of that community when the county was situated on the western frontier. It thus becomes the duty, as well as the pleasure 
of the historian to present to the readers of THE ALBUM the sketch of our subject who has been so prominently connected 
with the growth and progress, the advancement and development which have wrought such wonderful transformation. The 
noble band of men and women that bore the trials and hardships of pioneer live deserve a debt of gratitude which can 
never be repaid, but the coming generations will reverence them for their grand work and speak of them in words of 
remembrance. Mrs. Austin is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.







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