BIO: Samuel J. Austin, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 271-272.
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  Austin, Samuel J., was born in 1847, at South Danby, N.Y. His father 
was a lifelong Methodist, and felt a distinct call to preach, but was 
prevented by early marriage and a rapidly increasing family. The 
subject of this sketch was the youngest child, and the only issue of a 
second marriage. He was converted at seven years of age, and a year 
later joined the church. At about sixteen years of age he received his 
call to the ministry. Shortly after this he received local preacher's 
license. At nineteen he was recommended to the Wyoming Conference for 
admission on trial.
  Instead of joining at once, he took Dr. H. R. Clarke's advice and 
went to Wyoming Seminary, arriving at school with about fifty dollars 
in his pocket. He roomed with Professor R. B. Howland, then a student, 
boarding himself at an expense of eighty cents per week. The following 
year he was made professor of common English, and thus paid his way 
through the year. At the same time he supplied Forty Fort, preaching 
twice each Sunday in the historic old church.
  Just before joining Conference in 1870 he suffered a strong temptation 
from the offer of a home with an aged and wealthy couple, with the 
promise of receiving their whole property if he would remain with them 
and care for them.
  After retiring from active work in 1890 he moved to a farm in 
Wallsville, Pa. While living here he has done some preaching, as his 
record will show. The Fleetville Methodist Episcopal Church was 
organized and built by him.
  His pastoral record is as follows: 1870, Hyde Park; 1871-72, North 
Abington; 1873-74, Clark's Green; 1875-76, Moscow; 1877-79, Nicholson; 
1880-82, Union; 1883-84, Waverly and Clark's Green; 1885-87, Dallas; 
1888-89, Parsons; 1890, sy.; 1891-95, Glenwood; 1896, Wallsville 
(supply); 1897, sy.; 1898, Chaplain Hillside Home; 1899-1903, sy.