BIO: John R. Austin, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB & JO

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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 274-275.
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  Austin, John R., was born on February 1, 1873, at Muhlenberg, Luzerne 
County, Pa. He is a nephew of Rev. Isaac Austin, for many years a 
member of this Conference. During his boyhood he lived with his parents 
on the farm, working summers and going to school winters. When fourteen 
years of age, while attending the Patterson Grove Camp Meeting, he was 
converted. Soon after his conversion he believed himself called to the 
work of the ministry. In 1894, while teaching school near Benton, 
Columbia County, Pa., he was given exhorter's license, and on January 
26, 1895, he was given local preacher's license by E. H. Yocum, D.D., 
of Central Pennsylvania Conference. In the fall of 1895 he entered 
Wyoming Seminary, where he spent more than three years in study, 
struggling to pay his way, serving as janitor in the Methodist 
Episcopal church, tending gardens, and caring for lawns. In the spring 
of 1899 he was asked to supply Ash Street and Nay Aug, Scranton, Pa. 
After supplying this charge two years he asked for and received 
admission into Wyoming Conference. He served Ash Street until 1903, 
when he was appointed to Laurens.