Kalamazoo County MI Archives Obituaries.....Benjamin M, Austin January 1896
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Danielle Mozingo danisue1970@yahoo.com November 11, 2010, 3:47 am

Kalamazoo Gazette, January 24, 1896
Benjamin M. Austin died after a week's illness at 2:15 o clockk Monday morning, 
aged nearly 77 years.  He was born in Colbrook, Ct., May 7, 1814, and came to 
Kalamazoo with his parents May, 7, 1833.  Moses Austin, his father, located in 
Portage township and for nearly a quarter of a century tilled a farm which he 
purchased from the government, and ran the Austin House on the borders of 
Austin lake, and a few of the pioneers are still left who will remember the 
pleasant parties they have enjoyed in the Austin House.  Deceased was the 
youngest of two children.  William G., his brother, died in 1884, and was clerk 
of Kalamazoo county at the time of his death.  When the deceased came to 
Kalamazoo with his parents, the trip to Detroit was by lake and thence by team 
to this city.  mr. Austin, when a boy, attended the common schools in Genesee 
county, N. Y.  At the age of 16 years he came to this city to learn the 
coppersmith and the tin trades and a short time afterwards he began to learn 
the trade of a watchmaker.  He worked at this for a time and then engaged in 
the dry goods business for seven years.  In the fall of 1852 he began to 
manufacture the Jackson wagons under the firm name of Davis, Austin & Co., and 
was connected with the firm for several years following.  In the 50's Mr. 
Austin purchased a farm of 150 acres and for several years engaged in farming.  
He was the senior member of the firm of Austin & Tomlinson formerly doing 
business in this city.  The palce of business was where the City bank building 
now stands and a general stock was carried of dry goods, boots, shoes, 
groceries or anything else that a farmer was willing to dicker produce for.  
Mr. Austin for more than a quarter of a century was considered one of the most 
wide-awake and energetic business men of Kalamazoo, and at one time if he had 
had the backing to which he was entitled, he would have died the wealthiest man 
in Kalamazoo county.  He lost a fortune in Chicago real estate and all he 
needed at one time was a few thousand dollars to tide him over and he would 
have become a millionaire.  Friends upon whom he depended were found wanting in 
the time of need.

He was married in August, 1838, to Miss Angeline B. Fitch, sister of George 
Fitch, and she with three children, Mrs. E. A. Webster of Jackson, Mrs. D. D. 
Streeter and William G. Austin, survive him.  Notice of funeral later.

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