William David Austin, son of George and Emma Austin, was born on his parents'
  Valley Township claim, Octo. 16, 1887. Times were hard and by the time he was
  5 years, he was working horses in the field. Will attended Franklin country
  school. He graduated from Kansas State in 1910. While there, he ran on track and
  set a record for the 1 mile that was unbroken for 10 years. He also ran the 2 
  mile and 4 mile.
     While in college, he met Margaret Keys of Winchester, Kansas. (She was born
  October 4, 1888, near Burdette, Kansas where her father taught school.) They
  lived on the Austin farm between Isabel and Nashville until they moved to
  Medicine Lodge in 1945. Their daughter, Wilma, was born April 12, 1920, in the
  house where her father was born.
     Margaret's live was "Christ first." She attended the Nashville Presbyterian
  Church faithfully, taught a Sunday School class, and was president of the
  Missionary Society 18 years. Other social activities were Snowflake Club, Isabel
  Garden Club, Valley Builders Unit, and WCTU. She enjoyed her family, friends,
  flowers, art, and exhibited a Scotch-Irish sense of humor. Through the years,
  Margaret shared her flowers with the sick and with her church.
     Will was likewise faithful in his work at the Nashville Presbyterian Church,
  serving as an elder and being treasurer 16 years. He helped organize the AAA in
  1933-1936. Will was a Barber County Commissioner from 1950-1958, for 12 years
  was a Boy Schout Director, ws secretary-treasurer of Barber County Soil Conservation
  District 6 years, Federal Land Bank director 10 years, was local weather observer
  10 years, tested soils for the Extension Service 12 years, and was an active
  member in the Medicine Lodge Lions Club for 25 years. Will had an obvioius zest
  for living and compassion for people. He was never happier than when doing
  something for others. During his life, he amassed an extensive mental file of
  jokes and stories. He seemed to know a story for any occasion. Rev. Merle Salser
  and Will toured Mexico and Canada. In his late seventies, he studied Spanish and
  memory courses.
     To reminisce about the years on the farm BT (Before Television) 1912-1945, it
  was a unique time. Neighbors neighbored; friends took time to be friendly. The
  "almighty" dollar was not quite so almighty; it had more cents. Taking food to a
  sick family down the road didn't heal them, but it helped. And when they hurt, the
  tremors vibrated all through the little community. Parties and picnics weren't
  big, formal productions but featured fellowship and were accompanied by the
  inevitable - good, country food.
     Margaret died December 24, 1963. Will followed her April 29, 1970.
        "Oft" times at night, I've stood and watched a falling star
        - A jewel from heaven come doen.
        Sometimes the procedure is reversed - 
        The jewels ascend to adorn His crown."
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 92 
     Submitted by: Wilma Austin Bell