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THE OBITUARY OFRobert Augustus Austin |
Robert Augustus Austin
Robert Augustus Austin, 91, civil war veteran, died Wednesday night at his home, 501 Oakland Avenue, after several months of declining health. He had lived in Council Bluffs twenty three years.
Mr. Austin enlisted with the union army when he was 16 years old. He served with Troop M 8th Illinois Cavalry, and was assigned to duty in Washington D.C., the night of Lincoln's assassination. His company assisted in the pursuit and search for Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin.
At one time, Mr. Austin managed the Ross Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Later he disposed of his hotel interests and devoted himself to development of timber tracts on Wisconsin and Iowa farms. He was a member of Council Bluffs Lodge No. 531, B.P.O.E. until two years ago.
Surviving are his widow, Agnes M.; two daughters, Mrs. F.L. Perry of Denver, Colorado, and Miss Ann Austin of Los Angeles, California; one son, Fred R. of Bruce, Wisconsin, and one sister, Mrs. E. Shackelford of Paso Robles, California. (Fairview Cemetery, Section I, Lot 34, 1846-1937)
Funeral
Private funeral services for Robert A. Austin, civil war veteran, were held Friday at 2 p.m. at his residence, 501 Oakland Avenue, with the Rev. Fred Coley officiating. Pallbearers from Troop A, 113th cavalry were: Cpls. Oscar Olson and Roy Darnell, and Pvts. Arnold Raggasch, Clifford LeMasters, Wayne Andrews and Gerald Sorenson, Sgt. Leo P. Ott was in charge of the firing squad. "Taps" was sounded by Bugler Roland H. Jaseph. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery. Woodring Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.