History of White County, Illinois
Inter-State Publishing
Chicago, Illinois, 1883
Page 825

Charles Austin

Charles Austin, born July 20, 1836, is a son of William and Catherine (Foster) Austin, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia. Their family consisted of nine children, six of whom are living. Charles lived at home till his nineteenth year, when, Feb. 17, 1855, he was married to Mary Hoskins, a daughter of Coleman Hoskins, a preacher in the Regular Baptist church. After their marriage they moved onto section 29. The first land he owned was a tract of eighty acres, upon which he lived two years. He then sold and bought 120 acres on section 27, and lived there eleven years. He sold that and bought 264 acres on sections 22 and 27, upon which he has fine buildings equal to any in the township, and where he still resides. Upon this land we find traces of the Mound Builders. There are mounds fifteen feet in diameter at the base, and twelve at the top, and several feet high. Mr. and Mrs. Austin's children are - Rebecca Ellen, born Jan. 2, 1856, died Oct. 16, 1864; William Washington, born Oct. 5, 1859; Margaret Jane, born Nov. 15, 1862; Sylvester, April 30, 1865; Charles Smith, April 29, 1867; Hugh Young, born Aug. 3, 1870, died July 28, 1876; Ada, born Feb. 19, 1876, died Oct. 22, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are members of the Regular Baptist church. Mr. Austin was Clerk for ten years, resigning in favor of John Wease. They have a family of bright, intelligent children. The eldest son is fitted for a teacher, and is now teaching in Sub-district No. 3. The two next sons are at home. Their daughter, Margaret J., has taught four terms, and is now attending the Normal at Carmi.