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WILLIS R. AUSTIN
NORWICH: Retired Cotton Dealer and Banker
Willis Rogers Austin was born in Norwich, January 31, 1819, and was educated for the bar, being a graduate of the Yale Law School. He spent a number of years in Texas after his graduation from the university, being engaged chiefly in cotton speculation. Subsequently, he engaged in the banking business in Philadelphia. Success was met with in each of these enterprises, enabling him to retire from active pursuits a number of years ago. Mr. Austin traveled extensively in this country and Europe before finally returning to his old home in Norwich for a permanent residence. In 1874 he was elected a member of the general assembly from the town of Norwich, his colleague being the Hon. Allen Tenney. His associates in the house that year from New London county included Railroad Commissioner Wm. H. Hayward, Erastus S. Day of Colchester, chairman for four years of the republican state central committee, and the Hon. Benjamin Stark of New London. In 1875 Mr. Austin was re-elected by the largest majority that had been given up to that time to a representative in the legislature from Norwich. The centennial period was also a most fortunate one, politically, for Mr. Austin. After having carried the city of Norwich by the largest majority ever received there by a republican representative, the natural step was advancement to the senatorship in the old eighth district. In 1876 Mr. Austin was elected senator from that district, his colleagues in the senate including Gen. S. H. Merwin of New Haven, Edward W. Seymour of Litchfield, now of the supreme court, Washington F. Willcox, now member of congress from the second district, Charles C. Hubbard of Middletown, subsequently state comptroller, and ex-Lieuteuant-Governor E. H. Hyde of Stafford. Mr. Austin has also served as a member of the republican state central committee. He has been the president of the agricultural society, member of the state board of charities, and is at present a director of the Second National Bank of Norwich, and vice-president of the Dime Savings Bank in that city. He was on the staff of General Bacon, having the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He is a member of the Episcopal church. His wife was Miss Mary McComb prior to marriage. She is still living; also one son. In 1883 Mr. Austin, with his family, spent the year in Spain; 1884 was passed in Northern Africa, and 1885 in traveling generally through Europe. It goes without saying that Mr. Austin is one of the most cultivated men in the state. He is a clear and forcible speaker, when the occasion requires, and his judgment is entitled to the fullest deference.
Source: Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut - 1891, Compiled and Published by J. A. Spalding, Hartford Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company, 1891
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