BIOGRAPHIES: AUGUSTINE Brothers (Clarence & Frank), Whitehall, Trempealeau Co., WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb Coordinator,  20 August 2002      
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** Posted for informational purposes only -- the poster is not related to 
the subject of this biography and has no further information.

The Augustine Brothers have made Whitehall known throughout the United 
States with their ferret breeding establishments.  They raise thousands 
of the little animals yearly, and sell them extensively for use in 
eliminating rats, and for hunting rabbits, mink, muskrats, gophers, 
squirrels, prairie dogs and skunk.  In addition to shipping the ferrets 
far and wide, they issue a pamphlet which contains a valuable treatise on 
the care and use of the animal.  The ferrets from the Augustine Brothers' 
place are unusually strong and hardy, with sound eyes and feet, and with 
thick fur.  They are of three sizes, large, medium and small, and they are 
of two colors, the white, which are called English, and the brown, which 
are called Fitch.  All the yearlings have been handled until they are tame 
and gentle, while the younger ones good for hunting rabbits have not been 
trained so much.  The young men have been in business for a number of years; 
they are thorough masters of their line of industry, and they have 
testimonials from all over the country testifying as to the excellence of 
their animals, and the honesty and courtesy of their dealings.  The firm 
consists of Frank and Clarence Augustine.  They first started raising 
ferrets in 1902 and have gradually increased their business until they now 
carry at one time an average of 1,000 or 1,500 animals.  They ship about 
1,500 each year.  They are also constantly importing animals from other 
reputable dealers in order to avoid inbreeding.

-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917", 
pages 451 - 452