The Armstrong Families of Wayne County, Ohio

THOMAS ARMSTRONG, one of the earliest pioneers of Wayne County, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., August 22, 1770, of Irish parentage. In his boyhood he accompanied his parents to Columbiana County, Ohio, where, in 1801, he married Jane Cook, a young lady descended from Scotch ancestry. She possessed a finely cultured mind, refined manners and a genial disposition. Her daily religious life made a deep impression on the members of her family. The good seed thus sown by a mother's love is even yet bearing its fruits in the third and fourth generations of her offspring. Mr. Armstrong and his wife were living in Columbiana County, Ohio, at the breaking out of the War of 1812. After Hull's surrender he volunteered, and was commissioned captain, serving under Gen. Buell. At the close of the war he returned to his home, and in the spring of 1815 with his family moved to Wayne County, settling on Clear Creek, four miles north of Wooster, in Wayne Township.

In the spring of 1817 he removed to a farm seven and a half miles north of Wooster, ou the Lodi road, in that part of Wayne Township which was in 1819 organized as a separate township and named Canaan. This farm is now the property of Thomas Armstrong, one of his grandsons. Mr. Armstrong was of iron nerve and indomitable courage, over six feet in height, large boned and of great physical strength. He had a genial disposition, was generous and kind-hearted, and was loved by all for his many virtues. The neighbor in need who called upon him was never sent away empty-handed. He was considerate of young men who were struggling with the privations of the times for a foothold in life. Many, now old men, remember with gratitude the assistance rendered just when assistance was most needed. He was a positive man. None could be mistaken as to which side he took on any question that agitated the public mind or affected the interests of the community in which he lived. He was a Whig in politics, and always active in political circles. He took a very active part in the campaign of 1840. In his family he was a kind husband and an indulgent parent. He trained his children to industry and economy, and cultivated in them habits of sobriety, honesty, integrity and virtue. He was among the foremost in securing educational privileges for his family and the neighborhood. His place at church was never vacant without substantial reason. Nor was his purse closed when pecuniary aid was required. The influence of this man and of others, his neighbors, men like himself, is still felt in the neighborhood in which they lived. It has been remarked by observers that the thrift, the industry, the morality and intelligence of the Armstrong neighborhood is not surpassed in any other locality in the county. Truly the memory of such men is blessed.

Mr. Armstrong was the first justice of the peace in Wayne Township, and married the first couple in the township. When he moved to Canaan Township there were but thi-ee families within a radius of three or four miles. James

Rose, a Scotchman and a nobleman, lived on the west, James Glass on the south and William Ewing about two miles north. The first school-house in the township was built on the farm of James Rose, by the early settlers. It was of the primitive style, about sixteen feet square, with luncheon floor, clapboard door and roof, greased paper for windows, and a large fire-place occupying nearly the whole side of the room. The chimney was made of clay and sticks, and was on the outside of the building. The seats were benches of split logs, and the writing desks were of split slabs. The first teacher was James Buchanan, a Scotchman, who afterward lived and died near Dalton. The pioneer wife and mother had many hardships to endure, and toils and perils to undergo. Their small cabins had no floors but puncheons, and seldom a door except a quilt, which was poor protection against the prowling savages and the wild animals. Bears and wolves made night hideous with their howling, but the brave mother quieted her children, smothering her own years to reassure her family. The mother was the provident overseer of the little home; kind and hospitable, no one ever left her home hungry if she had the food to give them. Strangers and neighbors were alike welcome. Wolves and bears were the source of great annoyance to the early settlers on account of their thievish propensities, often coming to the lieu and killing a hog. But they sometimes paid for the theft with their lives, the settlers tracking them with the stolen property and making their life the ransom.

Mr. Armstrong died March 2, 1842, aged sixty-six years, and his wife April 14, 1856. Both were buried in the Wayne church-yard. This church Mr. Armstrong helped to build in 1840, and he was the first person buried in the church yard adjoining. He and his wife had a family of six sons and four daughters, the sons ranging from six feet to six feet four inches in height, and the daughters being large,robust women. Following is their record:

William, the eldest son, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November lo, 1802. His early life was spent amid the privations of a forest home. He was thus deprived of the early advantages of schools, but made up the deficiency in a later period of youth. He was fairly well educated, and a steady friend of the people's schools. When the primitive school-houses were passing away, the best school-house in the township was built on his farm, he generously giving the lot for the purpose. When funds failed to complete it, as he was desirous it should be finished, he generously stepped forward and furnished what was required from his own resources. The Presbyterian congregation of Wayne are indebted largely to his efforts for their first church building. He was untiring in his efforts to secure funds for the work, and gave without compensation much of his valuable time in superintending the construction until it was finished, and thus was laid the foundation for the large and influential society, who have lately erected on the site of the old building a new church, fully up to the requirements of the times. He mai'ried Mary Rose, by whom he had six children. She died in 1851, and he then married Catherine McPherson, by whom he had two children. He was a farmer, and accumulated a large landed estate. His children nearly all reside in the neighborhood of the old homestead, on farms acquired by the father's aid. These farms are provided with valuable farm buildings. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church all his long life, taking a great interest in all religious and educational matters. He died January 30, 1887, respected and honored by all who were acquainted with him.

John was born January 19, 1801. In 1828, times being hard, William and John went to McKeesport, Penn., to work on a canal. William had his foot hurt, and was obliged to return home, and after his return John was taken sick with a fever, and died and was buried before his father could get to him, it taking ten days for a letter to reach his home.

Thomas was born February 21, ISOd Ho learned the tanner's trade under David Robisou, of Wooster, and afterward went to Michigan, but returned to Wayne, and died near Burbank in 185G. He married Nancy Thomas, and they had a large family, only two of whom are living. David and William Vincent, his sons, each served a full term of three years in the Union army during the Civil War.

Harrison was born November 25, 1810. He studied with Dr. Day, and located at Hayesville, where he built up a good practice, and died in the prime of life. He married Margaret Cox. Their children all reside in the vicinity of Hayesville. Their eldest son, Thomas, died after he had been promoted to a lieutenancy, of camp fever, at Vicksburg, during the siege of that place. Jared, another son, served render Gen. Sherman on his march from Atlanta to Savannah.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CALVIN ARMSTRONG, farmer, Wayne Township, is prominent among the most intelligent and well-to-do farmers of AVayne County. He was born in Canaan Township, June 3, 1826, the youngest of ten children of Thomas and Jane (Cook) Armstrong. His early life was spent on his father's farm in Wayne Township, receiving his education in the common schools. He those the occupation of his father, and has been successful in his calling, having from his youth had habits of industry and thrift. In all his undertakings he has been assisted by his faithful wife, and their home is now one of the pleasantest in the township, where hospitality abounds and good cheer and freedom reign. Mr. Armstrong has always taken an interest in politics, and was present at Buffalo when the Free Soil and Abolition party was organized. He has held many public positions of trust, which he has filled with the faithfulness characteristic of the man. Public spirited and generous, he has always been foremost in every good work, and was one of the organizers of the Children's Home of Wayne County, and served as a trustee of the home six years. Mr. Armstrong was married September 5, 1847, to Mary McKee, of Congress Township, and they have four children: Thomas A., David C, Jennie A. and Ida M. Of late years Mr. Armstrong has cast his suffrage independent of party ties. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THOMAS ARMSTRONG, JR.

Wayne county, Ohio, is characterized by a full share of the honored pioneer element who have done so much for the development of the county and the state and the establishment of the institutions of higher civilization in this fertile and well-favored section of the old Buckeye commonwealth. The biographical sketches in this work are to a large extent in recognition of those who are pioneers or members of pioneer families, and it is signally fitting that there should be perpetuated records which will defy the ravages of time and betoken to the coming generations the earnest lives and devoted labors of those who have been such noble contributors to the state's prosperity and pride. The subject of this sketch is one of the honored citizens of the county, where he has been for many years successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and where he has maintained his home from the days of his childhood, representing a period of sixty-five years of consecutive residence in the county.

Tracing the ancestral history of the Armstrong family, it is learned that the subject’s paternal grandfather, Thomas Armstrong, Sr., was born August 22, 1776. in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared to manhood. After his marriage he moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and lived there until the war of 1812.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DAVID CALVIN ARMSTRONG.

The first half of the nineteenth century was characterized by the immigration of that pioneer element which made the great state of Ohio what it is. These immigrants were sturdy, heroic, upright, sincere people, such as constitute the intrinsic strength of a commonwealth. It scarcely appears probable that in the future history of the world another such period can occur, or indeed any period when such a solid phalanx of strong-minded men and heroic, self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. Too careful or too frequent reference cannot be made in the pages of history concerning those who have figured as the founders and builders of a great commonwealth, and in connection with this brief review of the personal history of Mr. Armstrong it is our privilege to touch incidentally and specifically upon interesting data in regard to the sterling pioneer family of which he is a member and which has been identified with the annals of the Buckeye state since an early period in the last century. The subject of this sketch is known as one of the influential and worthy citizens and successful agriculturists of Seneca county, where he has passed practically his entire life.

David C. Armstrong was born in Canaan township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 2d day of October, 1853, and is a son of Calvin and Mary (iMcKee) Armstrong, the former of whom was born in Canaan township on June 3, 1826, and the latter in AVooster, Ohio, April 24, 1826. The subject’s paternal grandfather, Thomas Armstrong, was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of August, 1776. In his youth he came to Ohio, locating in Columbiana county, where he grew to manhood, and, in 1801, married Jane Cook. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after the surrender of General Hull at Detroit, he was commissioned a captain and won other military honors. After the close of the war he came to AAMyne county, Ohio, and settled on Clear creek, where he lived two years. He then located on what became the Armstrong homestead in the southwestern part of Canaan township. This section of the county was at that time very sparsely settled, there being hut three families within a radius of four miles of his cabin. He at once entered upon the herculean task of clearing this land and putting it in shape for cultivation and none but those who have performed this class of work can have any adequate idea of what it really meant. Mr. Armstrong quickly took a front place among the early settlers and long was considered one of the most influential and prominent men in his part of the county. He was the first justice of the peace in Canaan township and officiated at the wedding of the first couple married in the township. At the time of his death, which occurred on March 2, 1842, he was the owner of about four hundred acres of land. Mrs. Jane Armstrong died April 14, 1856. They were both members of the Wayne Presbyterian church, which he had materially assisted in erecting in 1840, and his was the first body interred in the graveyard adjoining.

Calvin Armstrong, the subject's father, was married September 5, 1847, and built a fine residence one mile east of his father's home in Canaan township. In 1885 he moved two miles south and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he lived until his death, which occurred on April 21, 1901. Mary McKee Armstrong died on June 16, 1909. They were both members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a stanch Republican, and took an active interest in local public affairs, serving efficiently as township trustee. The children born to Calvin and Mary Armstrong were David C., the subject of this sketch; Thomas Albert, born June 10, 1849, lives in Canaan township; Jane A., who was the wife of \\b F. Johnson and died on December 14, 1905; Ina M., the wife of Thomas Fletcher, of Illinois.

David Calvin Armstrong received his education in the district school at Golden Corners and during his vacation periods he devoted his time to assisting his father in the work of the farm. He remained on the farm as assistant until 1885, when his father left the farm to him and moved to another place a mile south, since which time he has devoted his attention to its operation and in which he has been eminently successful. He lives in the commodious and attractive country residence, standing back a distance from the highway and at the end of an avenue of stately maples. His property embraces one hundred and seventy-three acres of as fine land as can be found in Wayne county.

On the 22(1 of February, 1900, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Alice J. Smitli, who was born January 25. 1859, in Lucas county, Ohio, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Smith, of Chester township, this county. James Smith had been a resident for many years near Toledo, Ohio, and in 1859 moved to Chester township, where he spent his remaining years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DAVID D. ARMSTRONG.

At this point we are permitted to touch upon the life history of one who, if for no other reason, merits recognition in this connection by reason of his having been a lifelong resident of Wayne county and a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of this.section of the state. But superadded to this circumstance are others which render the appearance of his biography within these pages all the more consistent, for he has here attained a position of prominence in connection with the agricultural activities of the county and is honored as one of the upright, genial and whole-souled citizens of his native county, having a fine farm home in East Union township, the same being the center of a most cordial hospitality.

David D. Armstrong was born in the township in which he now resides, on May 5, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Hunter) Armstrong. Both of these parents were natives of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared. Their marriage occurred after they had removed to this county. Here the father bought a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, for which he paid the sum of eight hundred dollars, and in this connection it is interesting to note that the same land is today worth at least one hundred dollars an acre. At the time of purchase the land was densely covered with the primeval forest growth, and the first thing done by the pioneer was to clear a small place in the forest and erect a little log cabin, which, though rough in appearance and probably inadequately furnished, proved a sufficient shelter for the happy family which came to brighten the pioneer home. The land was all eventually cleared and was developed into a splendid and fertile farm, which approved the wisdom of the father in seeking the location. In this little home there were born ten children, of whom the three sons were David D., of this review, Samuel, who now lives in the state of Washington, and Joseph, of Wooster township, this county.

David D. Armstrong was reared in the parental home and in the winter months secured a fair education in the district school, which at that early day was somewhat primitive in methods and equipment. When he was but eight years old his father died and there devolved on him much of the labor and responsibility of the farm. It was hard work and at times it seemed as if it would be necessary for the children to separate, but by persistent energy and wise management the mother and the subject were enabled to weather the storm and eventually prosperity rewarded their efforts. David remained at home until he was thirty-four years old, at which time he was married. He was at that time the possessor of six hundred dollars, and during the first year after his marriage he rented a farm. Afterwards he came in possession, through his wife, of one hundred and thirty acres of what was known as the old Brown farm, which she inherited from her father, the tract being devoid of any improvements. He at once went to work and in due time developed the place inter one of the choice farms of the township. He erected a full set of commodious and well-arranged farm buildings, including an attractive residence situated about a half mile back from the highway and most beautifully situated. He has here carried on general farming operations and has been highly successful. He raises all the crops

8o6 common to this section of the country and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he has been prospered. He is up-to-date and progressive in his ideas and keeps in close touch with the latest ideas relating to agriculture, not hesitating to adopt that which has been demonstrated to be superior to old ideas and methods.

In 1876 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Emma J. Brown, the daughter of Amos Brown, of East Union township, and to them have been born three children, namely: Willis married Della Schultz and lives at Kent, Ohio; Nellie L. is unmarried and lives with her father; Mabel died at the age of three years. Mrs. Armstrong died in June, 1899, since which time the daughter Nellie has devoted herself to her father's care and comfort.

In religion Mr. Armstrong is a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, of which he has served as an elder for more than thirty years. He is a man of honest convictions and in harmony with his views on the temperance question he gives an ardent support to the Prohibition party, believing that the temperance question is the greatest and most important issue now before the American people. He is held in the highest esteem in his native county and is known as an able business man and as one whose probity is above question.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.