Surnames: AUSTIN BACKUS

----Source: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) 02/23/1907

Austin, Maurice (22 May 1827 - 17 Feb 1907)

The people of Humbird, Clark County, Wis. were shocked to hear of the death of Maurice Austin Sunday evening after but a few hours illness. About eleven o'clock in the morning he complained of felling ill and a physician was called. Along towards evening Mr. Austin felt better and was conversing with his wife and the physician when, without warning the final summons came. The funeral services were held at the M. E. Church at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. B. C. Sills officiating, and the interment was in the Mentor Cemetery. A large congregation of friends and neighbors gathered at the church to offer their last tribute of respect to the departed townsman. His wife, one sister 96 years old and an aged brother, the two latter residing at the old home in Pennsylvania, survive to mourn his death.

Maurice Austin was born in Canada May 22, 1827, and died at his home in Humbird, Sunday, Feb. 17, 1907.

The deceased moved from Canada when an infant, with his parents to the state of New York, thence removing to Erie Co., Penn., where he resided until the year 1855, at which time he came to Wisconsin and lived in the vicinity of Madison for two years. In 1859 he settled at Tunnel City and was there united in marriage to Elvira A. Backus in 1863.

In the year 1872, he and his highly esteemed and faithful wife, came to Clark County and since made their home at this place. He worked at his trade as shoemaker and for five years, 1878 - 1883, was employed in the store of the late E. D. Carter. Since that time and up to about four years ago, he again followed his trade.

Mr. Austin was affiliated with the I.O.O.F. when that organization had a branch here. His motto was the Golden Rule, which he exemplified in his daily life. Having resided here for thirty-five years he was well and favorably known to the citizens of this village and vicinity, and many expressions of regret were heard at the time of his death.