Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

the community in which the leaders are
men of sound judgment and dynamic
force of character. The legal profession
is proud to count among its numbers
Arthur Delmont Austin, of Stamford,
Connecticut.
Mr. Austin's paternal grandfather was
Professor Austin, at one time a member
of the faculty of Edinburgh University,
Scotland. Professor Austin was a man
who thought ahead of his time. Gifted
with unusual ability as an instructor, and
at the same time endowed to a remark-
able degree with the capacity for under-
standing and drawing out the higher side
of youth, of character in the making, he
left a lasting impetus in the right direc-
tion in the minds of the young men as
they passed out from under his influence.
Subsequent to his resignation from the
University,
America.
Professor Austin came to
Alonzo A. Austin, son of Professor Austin,
was born in New York City, and grew
to manhood there, receiving his education
in the schools of that city. The practical
side of life appealed to him strongly, and
when he came to an age where he looked
about for some line of effort to which to
devote his future, he became interested in
the manufacture of textiles. After considerable
study along this line, he became
associated with a group of manufacturers
who were interested in the production of
a lustrous fabric less expensive than the
silks and satins of the day. The result of
their united experiments was satinette,
and Mr. Austin went to Sohoe, New Jer-
sey, where he manufactured this fabric.
The business was carried on under the
name of Hartman & Company, the young
man holding an active position in the
business. He remained in that connection
for about twenty years, after which
he retired, and established himself and
his family on a fine farm in Caldwell,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
3o;
New Jersey. He still resides there, is a
successful farmer, and a prominent man
in the community. He is a member of
the Masonic Lodge in Passaic, New Jer-
sey. He married Mary Elizabeth Riker,
daughter of Henry V. Riker, of Greenpoint,
Brooklyn, New York. They were
the parents of ten children.
Arthur Delmont Austin, son of Alonzo
A. and Mary Elizabeth (Riker) Austin,
was born in Passaic, New Jersey, June
18, 1885. When he was four years old
his parents removed to Rowayton, Con-
necticut, and there he received his early
education, including the grammar school
course. As a boy he was fond of study,
although keenly interested in the athletic
and social activities of his class. He was
graduated from the Boys' High School in
Brooklyn, New York, then entered the
Brooklyn Law School. He did not finish
his professional course there, however,
but completed his law studies by means
of the extension course of the La Salle
University. Having pursued his studies
with characteristic thoroughness and unremitting
attention, the young man now
found himself seriously broken in health.
To recuperate, he went to Texas, but the
restless energy of his nature would not
permit him to be idle. He bought a ranch
in Galveston county, Texas, and plunged
whole-heartedly into an entirely different
line of work. He considered the possi-
bilities of the location and the climate,
and decided on orange trees, putting out
a considerable acreage. His restoration
to normal health was more rapid than
even his friends expected, and he remained
on the ranch less than a year,
returning to his chosen work as soon as
he felt warranted in doing so. He went
to Houston, Texas, and took a special
course on Texas statutes. He was admitted
to the bar of that State in May,
1909, and practiced there until April, 1916.