Clay County AlArchives Biographies.....Austin, John Adams July 16, 1894 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Candace (Teal) Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net February 3, 2007, 2:33 pm

Author: "The Cleburne News"

Heflin, Cleburne Co., Alabama 

NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, MARCH 28, 1935

SKETCH OF JOHN ADAMS AUSTIN; Native of Clay county, Alabama; A son of 
Reverand J.D. Austin, now deceased; A Patriot; a Good Honest Citizen

John Adams Austin was born near Lineville, Clay county, July 16, 1894 and 
became a resident of Heflin, Cleburne county at the early age of seven 
years. He was a son of the Reverand J.D. Austin, who was founder of the Home 
Mutual Aid Society, etablished in 1900 but who passed to the Great Beyond 
May 18, 1905.

Johnnie Austin attended the public schools of this section; thence to Selma 
for three years, finishing with a two year course at Snow Hill Institute. 
While at Snow Hill, John applied himself especially to the printing trade, 
and acquired a deep and lasting knowledge in the art.

For two years after leaving college, John taught school in Randolph and 
Cleburne counties and was recognized for his success. But in 1917, the great 
world conflict which had been raging since 1914, brought this country into 
the melee and John, in his tender years, was compelled to shoulder arms and 
go overseas. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1917 and remained in the 
service by re-enlistment at the close of hostilities, until June 18, 1925, 
when he was honorably discharged and came home to assist his sister Mrs. 
Pauline Vincent, whose health had failed and who was then giving attention 
to the business left vacant by the death of her and his father, the Home 
Mutual Society.

Upon is return home, John immediately set out to improve the services of the 
Home Mutual Society so that more substantial aid could be rendered the 
members of this mutual concern. In a brief space of time, John renovated the 
interior of the building used in connection with the society; had added 
modern conveniences such as a motor herse and arranged to put into practice 
many new and needed innovations, much to his credit and much to the 
appearance and general improvement of everything connected with the 
enterprise.

John Adams Austin is married; is a member of the local Baptist church; a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and a citizen who is a credit to his race, 
and a man always willing to cooperate in any move that will help a community 
and its people upward and onward.

While serving his country in the World War, John was connected with the 
Aviation Corps in the Navy and it was while serving in this capacity that he 
learned vulcanizing and gained an advantageous insight on battery 
rebuilding. Hence, after his discharge and return home, he opened a shop 
here in Heflin in June 1925 and since then has been conducting this business 
as a side line, in connection with the business of the Mutual Aid Society.


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