I recently came across this short biography of Austin, my great great grandfather, in “Taylor’s Legislative History and Souvenir of Connecticut, 1901-1902; Portraits and sketches of State Officials, Senators, Representatives, etc. (Volume 3)” By William Harrison Taylor, copyright 1901, as found on Google Books.
Austin Eugene Pearl, of Hampton, is a native of the town he has the honor to represent in the General Assembly. He is the son of John P. and Maria (Jewett) Pearl and was born January 11, 1852. He received his education in the common schools of his town. He has always lived in Hampton, except three years, 1871 to 1874 in South Manchester. He is a successful carpenter and builder and is also engaged in farming. He is a staunch Democrat and has been honored many times by his townsmen. He has been a Selectman for thirteen years, Grand Juror, Justice of the Peace, School Visitor, Assessor, Constable, member of the Board of Relief, etc. He has held all these offices in a pleasing and efficient manner. He is a member of Little River Grange, has been Master two years and Overseer two years in the Grange and is a member of the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers.
On July 25, 1875 he married Mary E. daughter of Sylvanus Weeks. Seven children have blessed the union: Eva M., born June 30, 1876, died July 8, 1901; Arthur E., born May 28, 1878; William A., born May 15, 1880; Reuben E., born November 30, 1885; Mary A. born October 20, 1888, Flora B., born April 30, 1891; Evelyn M., born April 13, 1899.
Austin is just one of the many Pearls from Hampton who have served in the Connecticut State Legislature and other Statewide and local offices. His Father in Law was Sylvanus Weeks, of whom we have a portrait that can be seen in this earlier posting…
The Pearls of Hampton 
Evelyn Martha Pearl, his youngest child, was my grandmother. Her sister Flora was in possession of some of Austin’s carpentry tools when he died. When Flora died she gave them to my Father, James Ashbel (Jim). He gave them to my husband Ed. Some of those tools have been on display at the Norway Memorial Library in Norway ME and have also been used in dramatic re-enactments of historical people. Ed and I both periodically use tools that Austin E. Pearl used.
Thank you Allen for a new posting to our family blog!
Mom
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Thank you for posting this. Arthur E. was my grandfather. I have a drafting set from my grandfather. My dad and grandfather were also Carpenters. I have been given some shingle undercoverings that were signed by my grandfather.