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OSCAR PHELPS AUSTIN

His work as a statistician was directed toward disseminating such information as his study and research enabled him to put in concrete form for the benefit of others. In his profession he found his most useful reading to be historical and commercial encyclopedias and books of reference. His choice of occupation was first approved by his parents and was in full accord with his own preference. A Christian home, private study, contact with men in national life and ambition to do something of practical and lasting value, influenced his course, his only regret being that in early life he was deprived (through no fault of himself or his parents) of a liberal school and college training. To American youth he recommends hard work and hard study, limited only by the necessity of acquiring and keeping good health. He was married to Anna M. Richardson, daughter of John and M. M. Richardson, of Nebraska, and their only child, Florence May, was living in 1904. He is the author of "Uncle Sam's Secrets" (1897); "Uncle Sam's Soldiers" (1898); "Steps in our Territorial Expansion" (1904), etc., etc. (a series of historical and statistical monographs for youth) ; "Colonial Systems of the World" (1899); "Colonial Administration" (1901); "Commercial China" (1903); "Commercial Japan" (1903); "Commercial India" (1904); "Commercial Africa" (1900); "Commercial South and Central America" (1899); "Commercial Alaska" (1901); "Submarine Telegraphs of the World" (1900); "Great Canals of the World" (1899); "Historical Map of the United States" (1903); and "Studies on the World's Commerce," a series of monographs published by the United States Government.