Waterloo Republican, Thursday, April 3, 1902.

Died on Saturday, March 15, Mrs. Sarah Austin, at Marissa, Ill., aged 83 years, 2 months 
and 16 days.  Mrs. Austin, whose maiden name was Clark, was born in Hopewell, N. Y., 
December 31, 1819.  She was married to Alexander Miles February 24, 1840.  To this 
union were born six children, Naomi, Mary, Katie, Norman, William and Alexander.  Her 
second marriage was to Stephen Miles February 22, 1851.  To this union were born five 
children, Adolphus, Asa, Oscar, Clara and Eunice.  In 1870, she was married to Lafayette 
Austin, to which union was born one son, Charles.  At the tender age of 16 years she journeyed 
all the way from her birthplace to Harrisonville, Ill.  We say she came all the way from N. Y. to 
Southern Illinois, from the fact that a trip of that kind at so early a date was quite an adventure, 
as the means of travel at that time were very meagre when we think of the route by stage from 
Canahidqua to Buffalo, thence in a vessel on Lake Erie to the city of Erie, thence to Pittsburgh 
via Meadsville, then down the Ohio to its confluence with the great Father of Waters, thence up 
the Missisissippi to Harrisonville where she for the first time planted her feet on Illinois soil.  
Immediately after coming to Illinois she went to live with her uncle, S. W. Miles, Sr., a government 
surveyor, who had settled on a 5,000 acre tract of fertile land at Eagle Cliff, Ill., with whom she 
stayed until she married.  She carried a light heart and had one of those happy dispositions that 
throw sunshine into the souls of all with whom she came in contact.  The last 22 years of her life she 
was totally blind, yet this great affliction did not prevent her from being a solace to those around her 
and she was cheerful to the last knowing that she was soon going to that better land where no sorrow 
ever comes.  Early in life she united with the Presbyterian Church and lived a consistent Christian life.


Submitted by Kerry (Miles) Patrick