David D. Armstrong

As printed in 1910

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 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.