Clarence Austen, son of S. L. and H. J. Austen, was born in Holton, Ripley County, Ind., June 26, 1872. He with his parents came to Russell county Kansas in early childhood where he had lived the remainder of his days. He died in his home near Lucas on October 24, 1807, age 25 years 8 months and 28 days. He leaves to mourn a wife and one son, father, mother, three sisters and one brother and many friends and neighbors. Brother Austen was married to Miss Minnie M. Boyer September 2, 1894, this union was blessed with one son who is about 2 years old. By the death of Brother Austen a gloom is cast over the entire community. His death resulted from a severe attack of remittant typhoid fever. All was done that medical skill and loving friends could do for him, but to no avail, grim death claimed him for his own. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the Evangelical Association at Sunrise and held the office of Exhorter of Sunrise class. He joined the S. of V. Camp No. 148 when he was 18 years of age and held the office of Captain of the Camp for a number of years.
The funeral services were held in the Evangelical church at Lucas
and were conducted by his pastor Rev. S. A. Burget. A very large
assemblage was present, many more than could be accommodated with
seats. The sermon was from II Corinthians 5:6, "Therefore
we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in
the body, we are absent from the Lord."
The S.K.A.O.U.W. Legion which the deceased had just recently joined,
sat in the church in a body and had entire charge of the services
at the cemetery.
The remains were accompanied to the Lucas cemetery by an unusually
large number of sympothizing friends and very tenderly laid away
to rest. The bereaved wife, son, father, mother, brother, sisters
and relatives have the sympathy of the whole community in this
the saddest of all hours. We commit them to Him who hath said,
"I am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believeth on
me, though he die, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and
believeth on me shall never die. Rev. S. A. Burgert --Lucas
Advance, Lucas, Russell County, Kansas, October, 28, 1897.
Harriett Jane Truitt was born in Ripley County, Indiana, July 27th, 1845 where she lived with her parents until she was married to Samuel L. Austen Sept. 24th, 1871 at her father's home near Milan, Ind. And to repeat the words of the bereaved husband "We have lived together agreeably and continuously since that time until 2:10 A. M. Wed. morning, Sept. 7, 1921 when death separated us". To this union were born two sons and three daughters, four of who survive the mother. Clarence preceding his mother in Oct. 24, 1897. Those who remain are: Mrs. Clara Tilton of Collyer, Kan., Mrs. Mary Glendening of Codell, Kan., both of who are present, Mrs. Hattie McCann of St. Charles, Ark., and George C. Austen of Long Beach, Calif.
These four children, the father and husband, seventeen grandchildren
are joined by other relatives and a host of friends and neighbors
in mourning the loss of a loving and devoted wife and mother,
and a friend and neighbor indeed.
Mrs. and Mrs. Austen remained in Indiana until their departure
for Kansas arriving in this vicinity Sept. 20, 1877, and settled
on a homestead four miles north of Lucas on Wolf Creek. Here they
lived until 1896 when the moved into Lucas where they resided
since.
Mrs. Austen belongs to that group of our citizens who are all
too rapidly bidding us good byethe old settlers. Along with
many others of this community the Austens were early arrivals
here and did their bit to subdue the wild and desert like country.
She was a faithful attendant of the Methodist Sunday School here
and showed herself as possessed of many Christian graces. She
was a praying woman and found great joy in the church service.
The kindly smile and friendly greeting will be missed by all who
knew Mrs. Austen.
Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist Church in Lucas
by W. Cal Greene, the pastor. Interment was made in the Lucas
cemetery. -- The Lucas Independent, Lucas, Russell County, Kansas,
Sept. 21, 1921.
The funeral services for S. L. Austen, one of the early settlers of this section and many years a resident of Lucas, were held here Saturday morning at 9 a.m. from the Methodist church and the body interred in the Lucas cemetery beside that of his wife.
Mr. Austen was one of the prominent citizens of this section for
many years and served as postmaster for a number of years when
the postoffice was in the building now occupied by the Crimen
Cafe. When Mr. Austen quit farming, he moved to Lucas and up to
the time of the death of Mrs. Austen, he conducted an insurance
and real estate office. He was also instrumental in getting pension
increases for the old veterans here. After Mrs. Austen's death,
he moved to Codell where he made his home with his daughter, Mrs.
May Glendening until his death.
Samuel L. Austen was born August 18th, 1844 at Dearborne, Indiana,
and departed this life on November 9th, 1923 at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. May Glendenning near Codell, He was married to
Harriett J. Truitt, September 24th, 1871, at Milan, Indiana. To
his union was born five children, two sons and three daughters.
Mrs. Austen and one son preceded him in death. Those of the immediate
family left to mourn are: Mrs. Clara Tilton of Collyer; Geo. C.
Austen, of Long Beach, Calif., Hattie E. McCann of Benton, Ark.,
and Mary A. Glendening of Codell; also eighteen grandchildren
and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Austen was a Civil War veteran having enlisted in Co. K, 68
Regulars of Indiana Volunteers in 1861. He served his country
faithfully during the great struggle and was mustered out at the
close of the war in 1865. He was a member of Lucas Post No. 462,
G. A. R., and also a member of the A. O. U. W. and A. F. &
A. M. of Lucas. -- The Lucas Independent, Lucas, Russell County,
Kansas, November 14, 1923