THE AUSTIN FAMILY REUNION CHATTANOOGA 2020 BUT CORONAVIRUS PUSHED US TO 2023
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                                                        Our Beginning 



The Beginning.....


Jesse Austin and Mattie Smith


Jesse and Mattie were both born in the state of Georgia. Jesse was born in March of 1879 and Mattie was born in May 1880. Jesse worked to provide for his family as a farm laborer. Mattie was a home maker.

Jesse met and later married Mattie on April 5, 1897 and began the Austin Family Legacy in Dalton, Georgia. They became the parents of two daughters and two sons:

Lessie Eve Austin (1897-1967)
Wesley Austin (1898-1992
)
Daniel Wesley Austin (1900-1976)
Gertrude Austin (1905 -1993)


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Lessie Eve Austin Anderson
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Wesley Austin Sr. "Big Daddy"
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Daniel Wesley Austin Sr.
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Gertrude Austin Dwight
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If anyone in the family has a photo of Jesse and Mattie Austin please share with the family. You can email pictures to [email protected]
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Copy of Jesse and Mattie Smith's Original Marriage Certificate

                                      Dalton, Georgia
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Downtown Dalton, GA
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Dalton is the city at the top.
Dalton is located just off Interstate 75 in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest Georgia and is the second largest city in northwest Georgia, after Rome. 

​Dalton is home to many of the nation's floor-covering manufacturers. It has a vibrant arts & culture scene, many historic houses, landmarks and a rich Civil War history. It is home to the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, which showcases the Georgia Athletic Coaches' Hall of Fame and holds events year round.
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​Dalton is often referred to as the "Carpet Capital of the World," home to 150+ carpet plants. The industry employs more than 30,000 people in the Whitfield County area.  
More than 90% of the functional carpet produced in the world today is made within a 65-mile radius of the city.


Famous People From Dalton, Georgia

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Deborah Norville- Television Journalist
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Linda Vaughn- Motor Racing Personality
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Steve Prohm Head Basketball Coach of Iowa State
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Mallory Hope- Country Music Singer/Songwriter
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Jim Arnold- Pro Bowl Football Player who was a punter
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Morris Almond- NBA Player. He has played for The Utah Jazz and The Orlando Magic.
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Marla Maples- Actress
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Saul Raisin- Professional Road Bicycle Racer
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Blake Adams- Professional Golfer
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Mike Erwin- Actor who is best known as Colin Hart on the WB series Everwood
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Mitchell Boggs- Major League Baseball Player. He has played for the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals
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Lane Davies- Actor from General Hospital
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Tammy Jo Kirk- 1st woman to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and later returned to NASCAR to run the Busch Series

Dalton's Baseball Legend!!!

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Harry "Suitcase" Simpson
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Harry "Suitcase" Simpson was born in Dalton, GA on December 3, 1925. He was an African American Outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians (1951-1955), Kansas City Athletics (1955-1957), New York Yankees (1957- 1958), Kansas City Athletics (1958-1959), Chicago White Sox (1959), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1959) in his eight year career.  Suitcase played in the All-Star Game in 1956.  He also played in baseball's biggest game The World Series with the New York Yankees in 1957. Suitcase amazingly played against well known baseball great and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson.

Harry was one of the earliest black players to play in The American League, playing first with the Cleveland Indians in 1951.  Baseball Hall of Famer Casey Stengel once called him the best defensive right fielder in The American League.

Harrys 's nickname of "Suitcase" came from his being frequently traded during his playing career is a common misconception. According to the 1951 Cleveland Indians Sketch Book, he was called "Suitcase" by sportswriters after the Toonerville Trolley character, Suitcase Simpson, because of his size 13 shoe with feet as large as suitcases. This was  years before his many trades. His real nickname was "Goody", which came from his willingness to run errands and help neighbors in his hometown of Dalton, Georgia.  Dalton has named a street after their hometown hero in his honor right off I-75 "Harry Simpson Parkway".  Harry Suitcase Simpson still has family members residing in Dalton today.  Suitcase is the Uncle of Shirley Simpson Austin, wife of William Lavern Austin Sr.  Not only is Harry a Dalton Baseball Legend he is an Official Family Member. Harry passed away
 in Akron, Ohio on April 3, 1979.  Dalton has honored Suitcase with a special memorial in West Hill 
Cemetery.  As a child Suitcase attended Emery Street School, the only school in Dalton for African Americans. Today the school is known as The Emery Center.  The Emery Center has also honored Suitcase with a special display and tribute to his life and achievements in baseball.

                 The Meaning of the Austin Name

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Austin

Local Origin Of Name:
​English
From the Latin name Augustus

Austin is the short form of Augustine

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​Meaning:
"Venerable" or "Majestic" "Great" and "Magnificent"

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Emotional Spectrum:    
Quiet Moments Help Balance This Usually Outgoing Person
Personal Integrity:  
Has A Reverence For Truth
Personality:   
Glows With Enthusiasm
Relationships:   
The Romance Department Is Key To Happiness
Travel & Leisure:   
Can Be Packed And Ready On A Moments Notice!
Career & Money:    
A Career In Television Would Suit
Life Opportunities:  
Not One To Rest On Past Accomplishments, Always On The Move

​Lucky Numbers: 00, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9,16, 18, 19, 79, 80, 97, 98

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Sponsored by BlueGrass Healthier Coffee
Gary Austin  Owner


**If you would like more information on a Healthier Coffee please contact me at [email protected] 

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