10-2-2022 Update: According to DNA tracking, Austin is the son of Christine "Seabury" Brayton. Her one and only husband was Asa Parsons Brayton. In 1863, when Austin was 7, both his parents and 3 siblings died (possibly the typhoid epidemic of 1863). In 1870 he and his grandfather Asa Brayton were living with the Charles Balmat family in Fullerville, NY. The Balmats were his uncle and aunt. The last time he used the name Brayton was in the 1880 census when he was living in Custer, Dakota Territories (population 271 in 1880). He used the middle initial J. at that time.

The Mystery is why did he do the following: According to various censuses and his wedding info starting in 1890, he began using the following names instead of Brayton: Broton, Brotton, and Button. Once said his first name was Oscar and he was born in Canada. His death certificate shows his parents as unknown. The informant was his oldest daughter.

The photograph is his wedding photo. He married Margaret "Maggie" Matilda Jackman in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sept 4, 1890.

Together they had the following children:
Jeanette Broton (1891- Mar 29, 1891)
Harriet Jennese "Jennie" Broton Austin (1892-1970)
Alice Mary Broton Morford (1894-1969)
John Edward Broton (1897-1974)
James Bernard Broton (1899-1958)
Raymond H Broton (1901-1972)
Margaret Louise Broton Barber (1903-1997)
Rose Cecilia Broton Simpson (1905-1999)

Well known for always wearing a derby, Austin must have been a man with a dual personality. Some family members remember him as a quiet man who spoke little. Others remember him as full of stories. It's been told he would hail people walking down the road and invite them up for a talk. He always said he was Scotch-Irish.

1891 Minn Death Index -- first child Jeanette (age 0) died in Minneapolis. This document shows Austin's place of birth as Canada.
1895 Minnesota Census -- living in Forest Prairie with wife and two children. Occupation farmer. This one census shows his birth location as Canada. All future documents show his birth location as New York.
1900 US Census & 1905 Minnesota Census -- living in Forest Prairie, with wife and 6 children. Occupation farmer.
1910 US Census - he and his family have moved to Cora, Idaho. Farming.
1920 US Census -- Living in Cora, Idaho. Widower with 5 children. Farming.
1930 US Census -- Living in Cora, Idaho. Living alone.
1940 US Census -- he is living with his daughter and son-in-law Louise & Elmer Barber and their one-year-old child in Spokane, WA.