Jiles A. Baldus
February 24, 1932 – July 10, 1988
Austin native, Jiles Baldus attended Columbus, St. Augustine, and Austin public schools. He graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1951. He served in the Army during the Korean War and later as a member of the National Guard for 26 years. From 1966-1982 he worked for the Austin Fire Department and actively taught with the Junior Fire Department program promoting the importance of fire safety to more than 7,000 students in 15 different schools. He volunteered as a Boy Scout Leader, American Legion Adjutant, and Bi-Centennial Planning Committee member in 1976. While serving as a board member for the Mower County Historical Society he compiled and wrote The History of the Austin Fire Department 1870-1970 and started the Fire Museum.