STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1881, P.5, C.3. AUSTIN H. BROKAW, 05 Jul 1836 - 20 Feb 1881 The subject of this sketch, Austin H. Brokaw, was born at Lodi, Seneca county, N.Y., July 5, 1836, died in Angola, at 10 o'clock, P.M., Sunday, Feb 20, 1881, aged forty-four years, seven months and fifteen days. While yet a prattling babe on his mother's breast, Austin removed with his parents to Ypsilanti, Mich. There he grew to manhood and usefulness and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church soon after arriving at his majority. Ever since then he has been identified with this denomination as an active member. It was during his residence in Ypsilanti that he first engaged in mercantile pursuits. He there amassed quite a competence, but by engaging in other speculation outside of his regular business his worldly possessions soon vanished. With the natural pluck and industry that have characterized all his efforts through life, he continued in the business of a groceryman at that place until 1867, when he removed to Hudson, Mich. There he again engaged in the mercantile business, prospering, and, in August, 1869, was united in marriage to Miss Mattie J. Stevenson, the wife who to-day mourns his death. In 1870, after the completion of the Ft. Wayne and Jackson railroad, he removed with his family to Angola, where he again engaged in the business of a groceryman. Here, content with doing well enough, by his energy and perseverance he amassed quite a competence. The deceased leaves a devoted wife and three little children, two boys and a girl, surrounded by all the comforts of a model home. He was a member in good standing of the Masonic Order, Knights of Honor and Odd Fellows society. Like a good, provident husband, he had provided against the future want of his family, by years ago, taking a liberal insurance on his life, $3,000 of which is in the Masonic Mutual; $2,500 in the Odd Fellows; $2,000 in the Knights of Honor, and $500 in an eastern company. The funeral services, under the direction of the three secret orders of Angola, take place to-day, at 2 o'clock, from the Methodist church, Rev. E. Holdstock, officiating, after which the remains will be conveyed to their last resting place in Circle Hill cemetery. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Austin H. Brokaw, 05 Jul 1836 - 20 Feb 1881, on 18 Aug 1869, in Hudson, Lenawee County, Michigan, married Martha/Mattie Jane (Stephenson) Brokaw, 22 May 1851 - 21 Apr 1920. They are buried at Circle Hill Cemetery, Angola, Steuben County, Indiana. Austin was the son of Tunis Brokaw, 01 Oct 1812 - 05 Nov 1838, married on 21 Oct 1832 to Almira/Elmire (Burgess) Brokaw, 10 Sep 1813 - 24 Dec 1887. The parents died in Seneca County, New York. The 1880 United States Census, Austin H. Brokaw, Angola, Steuben County, Indiana, Family History Library Film #1254312, NA Film #T9- 0312, page #334A, lists his mother, Elmira Corbin with the family. Austin's wife, Martha, as a widow married Lorenzo D. Dickerson, born 1857. His burial place unknown. A daughter from the 2nd marriage, Lida S. Dickerson, 12 Apr 1885 - 07 Feb 1889, is buried at Circle Hill Cemetery. CHILDREN OF THE MARRIAGE: Milton J. Brokaw, 16 Apr 1871 - 28 Aug 1928, in 1896 married Gladys (_______) Brokaw, born in 1875. Milton is buried at Circle Hill Cemetery; Gladys' burial place unknown. Elmyra/Allie (Brokaw) Rector, on 14 Oct 1891 (per marriage license, familysearch.org states 1894), married Merrit V. Rector, born in 1869, no date of death. Burial place unknown. Joseph Austin Brokaw, 16 Aug 1875 - 01 May 1945, on 29 Jun 1904 in Angola, Steuben County, Indiana, married Nora Vanette/Venette (Shank) Brokaw, 02 Dec 1875 - 11 Jul 1967. She was the daughter of Daniel Jacob Shank, 19 Apr 1849 - 31 Jan 1938, and Malinda Catherine (Dague/Doque) Shank, 10 Mar 1853 - 18 Jan 1918. They are all buried at Circle Hill Cemetery. The 1880 United States Census has his name as Joseph M. Brokaw. SIBLINGS of Austin H. Brokaw listed in the Family Group Record of Tunis Brokaw are: Joseph Mount Brokaw, born 09 Oct 1834 in Ovid, Seneca County, New York, died 17 Aug 1902. Tunis Post Brokaw, born 02 Feb 1838 in Ovid, Seneca County, New York, died 11 Aug 1858. "Marriage Records of Steuben County, Indiana, 1837-1899." Steuben Republican, 05 Jul 1893, "City of the Dead" article, Austin H. Brokaw. "Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 1, pages 204, 205, 497; Vol. 2,pages 1622, 1623. www.familysearch.org - Family Group Records for: Austin H. Brokaw, Milton J. Brokaw, Merrit Rector, Tunis Brokaw, Joseph Austin Brokaw. 1880 United States Census for Austin H. Brokaw. Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net