Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN AUGUSTINE
JOHN
AUGUSTINE.–An enterprising man, who, by his energy, perseverance, and
straightforward methods, made a success of business and became an influential
and very prominent man, was the late John Augustine, farmer and dairyman, who
had been a resident of California from the time of his coming hither in 1885
until his lamented death February 19, 1923. He was born in Tyrol,
Austria, October 9, 1857, and there, too, he was reared on
the farm, learning habits of industry and economy which proved so valuable to
him in later life. He received a good education in the excellent schools of his
locality, so he was ready to battle with the problems of life when he went to France. There he spent two years, after which he returned to
Austria, where he was married to Annie Pouton. Soon after his
marriage he came to California, his wife joining him three years later. He then came
to Sacramento and entered the employ of Bryte Brothers’ Dairy and
later he leased the dairy from them.
In 1912 Mr. Augustine purchased an
800-acre ranch on the Cosumnes River near Slough House, and here he made his home,
engaging in general farming and making a specialty of the manufacture of California full-cream cheese. He had fine meadows and alfalfa
fields for his dairy herd of sixty cows. He also set out forty-three acres to
pears and peaches and was actively improving the ranch
when he passed away on February 19, 1923. His wife had preceded him on May 25,
1914.
Mr. and Mrs. John Augustine had four
children: Louis J.; George J.; Elmer J.; and the youngest child, Annie, who is
the wife of L. C. La Rue. The sons from the time they were mere lads assisted
on the ranch and of late years took an active part in its management. Since the
father’s death they continue to operate the ranch and dairy with success. Louis
J., being the eldest, naturally takes the lead in its management, and all the
children cooperate together, working in harmony and accord. He is a member of
Elk Grove Parlor No. 41, N. G. S. W. (sic) George J.
entered the United States Army for service in the World War in the 363rd
U. S. Infantry, 91st Division, and after training at Camp Lewis was sent overseas in June, 1918, to France. He took part in the engagements of his celebrated
division at St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne, where he went over the top, and
the Belgian front, where he was wounded from a machine-gun bullet in the left
shoulder. After spending two months in a French hospital he returned to the United States and after six months in the hospital at the Presidio
was mustered out on May 28, 1919, and returned to his home to reenter civil
life. He is a member of Post No. 61, American Legion, and the Elk Grove Parlor,
N. S. G. W.
The family are interested in
civic and political affairs, and in national matters cast their influence and
vote with the Republicans.
Transcribed by Vicky Walker, 7/26/07.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches,
Pages 976-977. Historic Record Company,
Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Vicky Walker.