Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

partnership, Mr. Austin entered the field
of public accounting, and during the clos-
ing years of his life gave his time entirely
to town affairs. For twenty years he was
chairman of the Board of Assessors, for
about twelve years was town clerk and
treasurer, and he was also a member of
the Board of Overseers, filling all of these
offices at the time of his death. He and
his family were members of the Episcopal
church, which he served for many years
as senior warden. He fraternized with
Charles River Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons ; and Rising Sun Lodge, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He was
widely known throughout the district in
which he resided, held a high place in the
popular esteem, and passed a useful, productive
life. He married Leah Martha
Huddlestun, born in Charleston, West
Virginia. They were the parents of six
children, of whom four attained mature
years : Charles Henry, of Medway, Mas-
sachusetts; Frances Beecher, of Milford,
Massachusetts ; Albert Elmer, of whom
further ; and Grace May.
(VII) Dr. Albert Elmer Austin, son
of Henry Cotton and Leah Martha (Huddlestun)
Austin, was born in Medway,
Massachusetts, November 15, 1877. In
1895 he was graduated from the Medway
High School, received an A. B.
from Amherst College, in 1899, and
his Master's degree in 1904. For two
years after graduation from college he
was a member of the faculty of the
Attleboro (Massachusetts) High School,
in charge of the Latin department.
Entering Jefferson Medical College in
Philadelphia, he was graduated with the
degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1905,
when as the result of a competitive exami-
nation he received first appointment to
Blockley Hospital in Philadelphia, which
he declined. His professional practice
began in Medway, in association with Dr.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
47
Charles Bemis, and after two years Dr.
Austin moved to Sound Beach, Connecti-
cut, where he began professional work,
September 1, 1907. Here he has continued
to the present time (1921), attending
to the needs of a general practice, but
specializing in the treatment of cardio-
vascular diseases. He is a member of the
staff of the Greenwich Hospital and of
the associated staff of the Stamford Hospital,
also serving the town and borough
of Greenwich as Commissioner of Health.
Dr. Austin is a member of the Greenwich
Medical Society, Stamford Medical Soci-
ety, Connecticut Medical Society, the
Medical Society of the Greater City of
New York, the American Medical Association,
and the American Public Health
Association.
In addition to his interest in public af-
fairs in professional relation, Dr. Austin
has served his town as a member of the
Connecticut Legislature, elected as a Re-
publican in 1916 and again in 1920.
Among his work in this body was his
activity on the committee of public
health and safety, which revolutionized
method of Public Health administration
in the State. Under appointment of Gov-
ernor Holcomb, Dr. Austin served as
district surgeon of the Fourth Military
District, Connecticut State Guard, with
the rank of major, resigning his rank
when he enlisted in the United States
army, June 1, 1918. On June 3, 1918, he
was commissioned captain in the Medical
Corps of the United States army, and was
assigned to duty at Camp Custer, Battle
Creek, Michigan, where he was made
regimental surgeon of the 214th Regiment
of Engineers, 14th Division, Major-General
Grote Hutchinson commanding. He
was transferred from Camp Custer to the
Walter Reed General Hospital in Wash-
ington, D. C, as assistant chief of the
medical service, and he was honorably