Austin was a very active member of Acacia Lodge No. 85 of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on October 31, 1916. He became the worshipful master of the lodge in 1919 and served in such capacity with great achievement and distinction for five years. He led the successful efforts in raising the necessary funds for a permanent masonic temple building in town. For five years he raised the money necessary to purchase the land from Oliver D. Mead's old homestead which is where Havemeyer Place meets Milbank Avenue. Austin was the first to turn the sod on the Mead lot and the building still stands proudly at 28 Havemeyer Place (though the lodge no longer meets there having sold it many decades ago). Austin also served as the first District Deputy of the First Masonic District of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut. He was also a member of the York Rite and Scottish Rite bodies. In 1939, in recognition for all his efforts for Masonry, public health and in the National Government he was conferred the 33rd degree.