Lake County is rich in historical information. The Lake County Banner has historically published numerous articles written by the late R. C. Donaldson and Abigail Hyde which provided a vast array of information about Lake Countians.
Throughout 2023, the Lake County Banner will be publishing a series of historical articles about prominent and influential citizens of Lake County.
In 1988, the Lake County Historical Association published a collection of interviews of prominent citizens. Following are excerpts taken from Volume One of “The Stories They Tell.”
Mary Auston Mary Margaret Algee Auston was born on June 20, 1899, in the Algee family home at 305 N. Main Street, Ridgely, TN; the home where she was married and lived for many years. She is the daughter of Wyatt Robert and Laura Matilde Snow Algee; a direct descendant of Wyatt Mooring, Robert Clark Algee, and Capt. William Snow, all of whom were prominent in the organization of Lake County in 1870. On June 25, 1917, Mary was married by Dr. H.W. Stigler to Shelton Bradford Auston, the son of William Thomas Auston and Tera Ann Jones Shelton; Shelton died in 1984. Mary and Shelton had two daughters of their marriage. Laura Snow Auston wife of Edward Samuel Hume, Sr. , and Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Auston, wife of Thomas Everett Harwood, III.
Mary was a life-long resident of Lake County. She joined First Baptist Church of Ridgely at a very early age, and was baptized on September 4, 1910, the same day as her father. The baptism was at Sandy Ford, a creek south of Ridgely that ran from Running Reelfoot Bayou to the Mississippi River; it was clear with a sandy bottom.
As a very young girl, Mary and some friends raised money to buy the bell for First Baptist Church. Mary’s father ordered the bell which was cast in England and was one of the finest in the state at the time. When the bell was no longer used and discarded by the church, Mary and Shelton had a short brick tower made for it which rested in a place of honor in their yard. In 1975, after First Baptist Church burned, as the oldest-in-service member of the church, Mary broke the ground for the present church building. The original bell was returned to the church where it now stands on a special brick foundation outside the front door as a tribute to young children’s love for their church.
Mary began playing piano for the church in about 1910 and served her church as a pianist and organist for over 60 years.
Mary attended Lake County schools, Peabody High School in Trenton, TN, and the Tennessee College for women in Murfreesboro, TN, with an emphasis of study in music. Mary was a charter member of the Tiptonville P.T.A. where her children attended school. Mary also served as president of the Tiptonville P.T.A. for two years.
Mary was also a charter member of the Tiptonville Woman’s Club (1928) and a member of Ridgely Woman’s Club which was organized and federated in 1947. Mary was a member of Reelfoot Woman’s Club for 30 years. Mary was a District President of the 8th District Tennessee Federated Woman’s Club and for several years, a state board member of T.F.W.C.
While a member of the board, Mary was asked to organize the Lake County Unit of the America Cancer Society and served as president. Mary also was a charter member of the Lake County Historical Society; a member of the Ridgely Review Club; a member of Key Corner Chapter of the D.A.R. for over 50 years, and a member of the American Guild of Organists. In 1971, Mary was invited to join the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Honor Society for Women Educators, Alpha Eta Chapter Xi State Organization. Mary also was a charter member of the Lake County Historical Society.
To recognize and encourage Christian higher education, Mary provided scholarships for two students to attend Union University in Jackson, TN, in memory of her parents. In 1971, Mary began providing a 3rd scholarship in memory of her sister, Ruth Wallace Algee.
Mary’s husband, Shelton, was born on December 22, 1895, and was reared on his family’s farm which was part of the Blount Tract. The farmland was acquired by his great-uncle, Richard S. Bradford, who was also active in the formation of Lake County. Shelton graduated from Webb’s School in Bell Buckle, TN. He attended Union University and Baylor University.
Shelton was a member of Ridgely Lodge #597, F. & A.M. (originally Sycamore Lodge, chartered on February 9, 1897), where he served as treasurer for many years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Ridgely, and the Lions Club of Tiptonville.
In 1960, Shelton was awarded a State Farmers degree at the Future Farmers Convention in Nashville. He raised several ribbon-winning Tennessee Walking horses.
