Thomas Austin was born in 1745 in either Massachusetts or Rhode Island in either the township of Falmouth or Barnstable; married Mary Dawley who was born about 1745, and died June 5, 1834.
Freeman Austin was born March 26, 1770 in Rhode Island and married Catherine Van Wagenen April 18, 1799 in Westchester County, New York. He died April 24, 1856 in Ophier, LaSalle County, Illinois. Catherine Van Wagenen died on October 16, 1835 in Niagara County, New York.
Reverend Simeon Austin was born near the township of, "Breakneck Hollow". He was converted to the Methodist faith in Niagara County, the town of Porter, New York, state in the year of 1834. This took place in the school house near the house of Mr. Jack Moots. He united with this same church called "Society Methodists," and took a license to preach at the age of twenty two years in the same church where he converted to this faith. He was licensed at the annual conference of that church the following June, and was appointed to labor the field in Michigan. From this time forward he went about the country in His labor until the time of his death which occurred tje twentieth of May 1899 at five A.M.
Nearly thirty years of this time was spent in Nebraska and thirty years was given to the United Brethren. He drew the petition for the first United Brethern Church in Nebraska and led in accuring the same. This is written by Luren Austin abut his father. U.S. Federal Census of Watham, La Salle County, Illinois. Pg printed 277, blue pencil 553, 22 Oct. 1850.
The United Brethren Church permanently organized 30 October, 1873 at Pleasant Hill, La Saline County, by Bishop J.J. Glassbrenner. From page 746-747 History of Nebraska by "Morton."
Simeon left Henderson, Illinois in August 1870 to head for Nebraska. My great-grandmother;(Simeon's daughter), Celestia Emmaretta Mariah was traveling on this trail along with his wife Betsey Maria, maiden name (Whitten), to whom he was married on January 11, 1844. Simeon worked as a carpenter to supplement his income. They settled in York County, Nebraska where my great grandfather, Reuben League met and married my great grandmother, Celestia Emmaretta Mariah Austin.
They lived in a sod house, and also build a church out of sod which they shared with another denomination. The church benches were haybales.
My Great-Great grandmother, Betsey Maria worked in as a housewife and mother and assistant to her husbands ministry. When at her own home she worked in her bare feet to save her shoes for church and outdoor work. She grew beautiful flowers, saved all her flour sacks to make clothing for her children and diapers for the babies. They also ran the post office for a couple of years.
Celestia Emmaretta Mariah and Reuben Mixem League married on August 20, 1872 in York County, Nebraska. Reuben had served in the Union of the Civil War and was honorably discharged on the 10th of July, 1865.