AUSTIN, Morris D. (Batavia NY)

MORRIS AUSTIN

Identification on photo: Morris Austin, Geneseo (or Genesee?), NY, May 12, 1903
Photo taken: Saunders Studio, 62 East Avenue, Rochester NY, 1903
Purchased: 2015 Oxford Antiques Show, Oxford KY

Not sure if the inscription on back says "Geneseo" or "Genesee", however the only likely person I find lived in Batavia NY which is in Genesee County.

His family appears on the 1892 New York State Census, for Batavia, Genesee county.

AUSTIN, Densmore, 37, Gas works

AUSTIN, Florence, 37

AUSTIN, Morris D., 11

AUSTIN, Orville, 9

AUSTIN, Murry E., 4

AUSTIN, Florence L., 1

WAY, Minerva, 56, born in Canada, (mother-in-law?)

WAY, Libbie J., 26, (sister-in-law)

At the age of 19, Morris enlisted 11 Sept, 1899 in the Army (40 US Infantry Vol) during the Spanish-American War, and saw action at Libmanan in The Philippines in 1900. He left the service June 24, 1901. His service record card describes his character as: very good, honest and faithful. 

He appears on the 1900 Federal Census at the military base Philippines, Surigao Island. Enumerated 30 June 1900.

AUSTIN, Morris D., private, Batavia NY, 17 E. Avenue, born July 1880

He is also counted among the family members on the 1900 Federal Census in Batavia NY, enumerated on 19 June, 1900. 

Morris is a son of Densmore "Dennis" Austin (1855-1929) and Florence Urvilla Way (1854-1902).

The year after arriving back home in Batavia NY from his military service, he became ill and his mother Florence sat up with him at his house through the night. The following morning she was walking back to her house when she was struck and killed by a train, sadly in full view of her 13yo son Murry. (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 22 May 1902.)

Morris D. Austin, (b. 9 July 1880 - d. 17 Nov 1930), was still living in Batavia NY in Sept 1918 (per WWI Draft Registration). 

His siblings included:
Orville Homer Austin (Oct 1882-1940) m. Florence Wiley
Murry Erwin Austin (1888- )
Florence Louise Austin (1891- )
Morton Austin (1895- )
Clarence W Austin (1898- )

Morris worked as a machinist at a steel fabrication company in Batavia.

11 May 1904, he married Sarah J. Randall from Hamilton Canada (daughter of Ed Randall and Mary Raymond).
Their children include:
Albert M Austin (1904- )
Kenneth G Austin (1905-1994)
Edith Austin (1907-1933) married to Burley Ray Fulbright.
Ethel Austin ( - ) m. Saunders

Morris and Sarah are mentioned in the 1921 City Directory for Rochester NY:
AUSTIN, Morris D (Sarah J) machinist, h 7 N Washington

Around 1923 Morris moved his family to Maricopa County, Arizona. In 1924 Morris and an associate named Bob Collier went into partnership and opened an automobile garage at Five Points (the intersection of Grand, 7th and Van Buren Avenues). 

Morris died Nov 1930 in the VA hospital at Prescott AZ, at age 50.