Stuart N. Austin
STUART N. AUSTIN is one of the young, progressive men in the citizenship of Chardon, is postmaster of that town, and during the World war gave service in the navy.
He was born at Montville in Geauga County, January 13, 1891. The Austin family is of English ancestry, and settled in Connecticut and from that state came to Ohio in pioneer times. His grandfather, Newton Austin, was a lifelong resident of Montville in Geauga County, where he owned and operated a farm. His wife was Amoret Stevens, likewise a native of Montville. Dwight A. Austin, father of the Chardon postmaster, was born at Montville, May 1, 1863, and for over twenty years, until he retired recently, was prominently identified with the official affairs of the county seat. He was reared and married at Montville, conducted a mercantile establishment there, but in August, 1902, moved to Chardon, to serve four years as county treasurer. After leaving that office he was deputy county treasurer four years, then served another term of two years, and continued a member of the official circle in the courthouse at Chardon as deputy county auditor until 1923, when he retired. He is a republican, is a past master of Chardon Lodge No. 93, Free and Accepted Masons, is a member of the Grand Masters Association of Ohio, is a past high priest of Chardon Chapter No. 106, Royal Arch Masons, is a charter member and past chancellor commander of Chardon Lodge No. 731, Knights of Pythias, and is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club.
Dwight A. Austin married Mattie L. Whitney, who was born at Montville in 1873. They have two children, Stuart N. and Miss Florence A.
Stuart N. Austin attended public schools in Montville until he was twelve years of age, and after that continued his schooling in Chardon. He graduated from high school with the class of 1910, and spent one year in Ohio State University at Columbus. Returning home, he was for two years deputy county treasurer under his father, and then became a clerk in the dry goods store of his brother-in-law, C.W. Goodrich.
He resigned his position, and on May 17, 1917, enlisted in the United States Navy. He became a first class petty officer, and was in active duty on a ship patrolling the Mexican and Cuban waters. He received his honorable discharge, December 28, 1918, and after his return home again became associated with the Goodrich dry goods business. On January 1, 1922, he took charge of the postoffice at Chardon as postmaster, having been appointed during the republican administration of Mr. Harding.
Mr. Austin is a member of the Chardon Congregational Church, and is the present worshipful master of Chardon Lodge No. 93, Free and Accepted Masons. He also belongs to Chardon Chapter No. 106, Royal Arch Masons; Chardon Lodge No. 731, Knights of Pythias, and is past grand of Chardon Lodge No. 213, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At the university he was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity, and is a charter member of Chardon Kiwanis Club and a charter member of Chardon Post No. 167 of the American Legion.
Mr. Austin owns a good home at 208 North Hampden Street in Chardon. He married in his home community, December 31, 1917, Miss Lucile Goodrich, daughter of Wesley A. and Ella (Collins) Goodrich, residents of Chardon. Her father until he retired was a real estate operator and owner of extensive property in Geauga County. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have one child, Matilda Ann, born March 16, 1923.
From History of Ohio, vol. IV, By Charles B. Galbreath, American Historical Society Publishers, 1925