Austin Ham Celebrates 79th Birthday

[genealogynut]

Howard Courant Citizen
July 18, 1957


Austin Ham, an agile, man-about-town--though he celebrates his 79th birthday Thursday, July 18, 1957--disdains to mention the aches and pains that usually find a host with those who have survived the buffeting for three score and ten years.  Austin's pick-up truck is a familiar sight to the citizens of Howard, as Austin rattles along, delivering milk, feeding livestock and performing a miscellany of chores.  Austin plans to out-last and out-perform his chattering pick-up and all indications lead the observer to conclude that the odds are with Austin.

Since Austin is not planning to have his obituary published for a long time, he feels he can now, with propriety, justify a little biographical sketch, for certainly after 79 years, any old bird is entitled to preen his feathers a little publicly.

Austin was born July 18, 1878, in Butler county, Kansas, about eight miles southeast of Augusta.  His father, John Ham, a Kentuckian, fought with the Union army and made the march to Atlanta with Sherman's army; his mother, Harriet Ham, was also born in "Old Kaintuck."  Austin is the last of five children born to his parents; two sisters, Alice and Jane, died in infancy and William and Marietta have been dead for some time.

In 1892 Austin's parents moved to Wilson county; removing from Wilson county to Greenwood county in 1893, and later settling in Elk county in 1894, six miles southwest of Fall River, Kansas.

Austin has lived in various parts of Elk County during his 63 years residency, so he cannot feel himself a stranger in any quarter of the county.

In 1907 Austin married Bertha Noakes and to them wre born three children, of whom only Kennth Lee Ham survives; however, their posterity now includes four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Austin is setting up the coffee at Winn's Cafe for his friends on his birthday.  Happy Birthday, Austin!  And since you have said you have already lived to an older age than your father, grandfather and great grandfather Hams, we hope you set your goal for the century mark, for we believe you can make it.---A Friend.

[genealogynut]

I got a hoot out of this one!!

[Janet Harrington]

Some editor or reporter had quite the sense of humor, didn't they?