Jerome S Austin
Unit History
- 133rd Indiana Infantry G
- 142nd Indiana Infantry B
Full Unit History
133rd INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 5/1864 Indianapolis, IN
Mustered In: 5/17/1864 Indianapolis, IN
Mustered Out: 9/5/1864 Indianapolis, IN
142nd INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: Summer/Fall, 1864 Ft. Wayne, IN
Mustered In: 11/3/1864Indianapolis, IN.
Mustered Out: 7/14/1865 Nashville, TN
Regimental History
NOTE: In the spring of 1864 Union forces under the command of Gen. U.S. Grant began moving on the enemy from many directions. In order to field as many “seasoned” troops as possible in these endeavors, numerous units were pulled from, largely, non-combat rear echelon duties and placed into the front lines. In order to fill the duty void this re-assignment created many, short term, primarily non-combat organizations were created. The 133rd was one of eight (8) one hundred (100) day regiments raised from within Indiana. The 142nd was designed to serve in similar capacity, but for one (1) year.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (133rd)
Organized in 5/1864, the 133rd departed Indiana immediately following Federal muster. Moved to Tennessee, the unit, like its contemporaries, was assigned to railroad guard duty. It’s orders were to keep Union Gen. W.T.. Sherman’s line lines of supply open while his troops campaigned to capture Atlanta, GA.
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 0; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc: 0; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 0; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 17.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (142nd)
The 142nd was a one (1) year infantry regiment. Its tour of duty was within the western theater of operations during the American Civil War (ACW).
On 11/18/1864 the unit departed the Indiana and proceeded to Nashville, TN. There it was assigned to post and garrison duties.
The 142nd was held in reserve during the battle of Nashville (12/15 – 16/1864).It then remained on duty in that place until mustered out in 7/1864.
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 1 ; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 0 ; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 1; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 70.
Soldier History
SOLDIER: (142nd)
Residence: Logansport, IN Age: ca. 16 or 21 yrs. (est.)
Enlisted/Enrolled: 10/29/1864 Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 10/29/1864
Mustered Out: 7/14/1865 Nashville, TN
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
Jerome S. Austin was born during the year 1848.* The place of his birth was within the state of Ohio. **
Parenting Jerome were T.O. Austin and Susan/Suzanne (nee Keeley) Austin. In terms of sibling, he had at least one, a brother named Henry M. Austin.
On 5/17/1864 both Jerome and Henry enlisted in the 133rd Indiana Infantry. Surviving their one hundred day enlistments, the two then joined the 142nd Indiana Infantry for another one (1) year. Both survived the trials and tribulations of war and returned to civilian life.
The 1870 census of Raribault in Rice County, MN, listed Jerome at age 22. His occupation was “miller.”
In the 1880 census of New York Mills in Ottertail County, MN Jerome was listed at age 32, a farmer. He was living with his wife Mary E. (no nee) Austin. Mary had been born in Pennsylvania during 1859. The two had married ca. 1875. ***
As an indicator that he and Mary had relocated to Washington (Territory)/State, Mary died ca. 1886 in Whatcom County’s Lynden Cemetery.
1900. The census of Lynden in Whatcom County, WA listed Jerome’s occupation as “carpenter.”
A decade later, in 1910, the census listed Jerome, age 67, living with son Edward Austin, age 26 – born in Wisconsin - whose occupation was “teamster.” Edward’s wife was 19 and had been born in Michigan. Their children were Nellie, 2, and Hazel, an infant. Both were listed as having been born in Washington.
In 1911 Jerome applied for admission to the old Soldiers’ home at Orting (Pierce County), Washington. A single man, he was admitted on 5/19/1911.His nearest relative was listed as son W.E. Austin of Lynden, Whatcom County, WA.
On his Home application Jerome noted that he was receiving a U.S. Government disability pension based on his days of Civil War soldiering. His stipend was $12 per month.
Jerome died 8/8/1934 at the Soldiers’ home in Orting, WA. He was aged 91 years. His remains were then transported north and were/are buried with Mary in the Lynden Cemetery.
LYNDEN PIONEER RESIDENT PASSES
Jerome Austin, father of W.E. Austin and a pioneer resident of Lynden passed away Tuesday morning at the Soldiers’ Home in Orting after a long illness. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from the Knapp and Knapp’s Parlors. Burial will be made in the Lynden Cemetery beside the grave of his wife who died a quarter of a century ago. Mr. and Mrs. Austin were among the early pioneers to come to this district.
Mr. Austin lived here continuously until 1911, when he entered the Orting Soldiers’ Home, after which he spent part of his time in Lynden with his son’s family and the remainder at Orting. Since 1931 he had been confined to the hospital at Orting. Mr. Austin was known and respected throughout Whatcom County and his passing brought sorrow to hundreds of friends.
During the latter part of his active years in Lynden (Mr. Austin) ran a carpenter shop with the late Miles Rittenberg. (The shop was) on the corner of Seventh and Front Streets on the site where the Herbert Eerkes home now stands.
Surviving relatives in addition to Mr. (W.E.) Austin include a niece and a nephew.
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*In 1934, Jerome’s newspaper obituary listed his year of birth as 1843.
** Jerome’s 1911 application to the soldiers’ home located in Orting Pierce County, WA noted that his place of birth was Celmsgrove, (sic) PA.
Posted: 1/16/2024
Updated:
Cemetery
Buried at Lynden Cemetery
Row: A 89 E