Alabama Women's Hall of Fame
Jessie Welch Austin was born in Wetumpka, Alabama on September 5, 1884. She spent almost her entire life in Wetumpka, except for some time toward the end of her life when she lived with her daughter Willie Wheelless and her family in Dothan, Alabama.
“Miss Jessie”, as she was called, attended Wetumpka Primary and Secondary Schools. After high school she married William A. Austin, a prominent businessman, land owner, and politician in the area. Together the Austins successfully ran a mercantile business and an automobile dealership, which initially sold Essex & Hudson automobiles and later Fords. The Austins also owned and sold mules, a major element in the economy at that time. Additionally, the Austins ran a dry goods store, a grocery store, and a farm, which at one time was one of the largest farming operations in Elmore County.
Will Austin was elected sheriff of Elmore County in 1935. Jessie became his Chief Clerk and ran the Sheriff’s office as the administrator. At that time, a sheriff could not serve successive terms. Since Jessie was familiar with the day-to-day operations and duties of sheriff, the couple decided that Jessie should run for Sheriff of Elmore County. She won by a larger margin than her husband did in 1935, and she became the first female sheriff in Alabama. She served as the Elmore County's sheriff from 1939-1943.
After her husband’s death in 1947, Jessie was appointed warden of Julia Tutwiler Prison by Gov. James “Big Jim” Folsom. She served as warden for six years, overseeing the care and counseling of female prisoners until her retirement.
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Alabama Women's Hall of Fame