John Augustine Collection

DONOR:

John Augustine, 2006; Peggy Augustine Bogart, 2007 (Son and daughter of John Augustine

SIZE:

Eight cubic feet

SCOPE & CONTENT:

Photos: Albums and scrapbooks of a large family, racing at Ruidoso Downs; negatives, films of early Las Cruces events, (including Thunderbird and Posse Parades), square dancing call books, book on mounted drill team.

BIOGRAPHY:

John Augustine was born in El Paso, TX, August 29, 1914. He graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute and in 1937 the New Mexico College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts, now New Mexico State University. He taught vocational agriculture in Farmington, NM, 1937-38. In 1938, he moved to Las Cruces and was named Dona Ana County Extension Agent. He built the foundation for a county 4-H program and was involved for many years with Future Farmers of America. In 1946, he accepted the position of Executive Secretary of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, a post he held until January 1, 1980. He earned the nickname of "Mr. Farm Bureau."
Mr. Augustine also served as secretary-treasurer of Western Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, serving both Arizona and New Mexico, and was active as a nominal editor of New Mexico Farm and Ranch Magazine, from 1947-1985. Augustine served two terms on the New Mexico Racing Commission and bred and raced quarter horses. He was a long time cotton farmer in the Mesilla Valley and a member of the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Posse. He and his wife Elise formed and coached the Thunderbirds, a mounted square dance team performing at fairs and rodeos all over the state.
John Augustine passed away October 9, 2006, in Las Cruces, NM.