David C. Armstrong

As printed in 1910

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 History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.