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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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M. A. Austin, attorney at law, and an influential and esteemed resident of Pine Bluff, is a native of Monroe, N. C., and was born August 12, 1856. He was the son of R. G. R. and Nannie (Crowell) Austin, both natives of North Carolina, who in 1867 emigrated to Drew County, Ark., where they located and remained until 1873, then moving to Pine Bluff. The father is still a resident of that place. He has been a farmer most of his life, and has been treasurer of Jefferson County one term. M. A. Austin was reared in Arkansas, part of his time being spent on the farm and also in the city. He entered St. John’s College at Little Rock, and in 1874, when the Brooks-Baxter war broke out he left, and entered Emery and Henry College, at Emery, Va., where he graduated in 1877. He then came home and began the study of law, under Carlton and McCain, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. Entering at once upon a successful practice, he has since located in Pine Bluff, becoming well and favorably known as a member of the bar only less than as a citizen. Mr. Austin’s first partner was A. W. Boyd. Two years later this relation was dissolved, when Mr. Austin entered into partnership with W. E. Hemingway. They afterwards took in John M. Clayton, who was recently assassinated, and Mr. Hemingway being elected to the bench, Judge Williams entered as a partner, which firm now continues under the name of Williams & Austin. Mr. Austin was city attorney for two terms. He is also attorney for the Merchants and Planters Bank; the Missouri Pacific Railroad; Pine Bluff, Swan Lake & Monroe Railroad; and Pine Bluff Building Loan Association. He has had several opportunities to hold office, but never desired to identify himself politically with public position. In 1882 he was married to Miss Mattie Keeler, at Oswego, Kas., by whom he has had two children, one now living, named Bettie. Mrs. Austin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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