AUSTIN NAUSLEY is a prominent and well known farmer residing on section
5, Elkville Township, Jackson County, and a representative of one of the
honored pioneer families of this community. Away back in the early days,
when St. Louis was a trading post, and Brownsville the most important town
in Illinois, Adam Nausley and his wife, Frances, parents of our subject,
emigrated from Columbus, Tenn., and located in Jackson County, Ill. The trip
was made in 1825. On a flat-boat they floated down the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers, from which they disembarked at Bennett's Landing, below Grand Tower.
From that point they continued their journey and at length made a location
between Carbondale and the Big Muddy River. Indians were still in the
neighborhood, and bears and wolves were numerous. In 1830 they settled in
Elk Prairie, and later removed to a point seven miles to the southwest. The
father was a farmer, and followed that occupation throughout his entire
life. Upon their farm in this community he and his estimable wife spent
their last days, and in their declining years they were surrounded by all
the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, for their earnest and
untiring efforts had brought to them a most comfortable competence.
Austin Nausley was born sixty-two years ago, and is a typical pioneer, a man
of more than average intelligence and ability, and one of the leading
citizens of this community. By indefatigable industry, economy and
perseverance, he has accumulated a valuable property, comprising four
hundred acres of good land and an extensive sawmill plant. He carries
forward to a successful completion whatever he undertakes, and has therefore
worked his way upward to a position of affluence.
In 1853, Mr.
Nausley was united in marriage with Miss Mary S., daughter of Philip
Glotfelty, a pioneer of Jackson County. Seven children were born of their
marriage, of whom four are still living: Edward, Philip, Eliza and Sudie.
The first-named was born on the old homestead in 1854, and married Miss
Sarah A. McGowan, daughter of Coleman and Catherine McGowan. They have one
child, Gussie E., who was born in 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Nausley are
members of the Christian Church, and are people whose sterling worth and
many excellencies of character have gained them the high regard of all. The
well spent life of our subject has won him universal confidence and esteem,
and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his
life.
Extracted 01 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass from 1894 Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry, and Monroe Counties, Illinois, page 664.