David Harris Armstrong

As printed in 1887

AVID H. ARMSTRONG, Washington, Iowa, was born in AVayne County, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1820. His father, Rowland Armstrong, was a native of Pennsylvania, a tanner and currier by trade. He married Jane Donald, also a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had six children, two yet living: David H., of this city, and Mary wife of S.samuel Boyd, of Allegheny County, Pa. About 1822 the family moved to Mercer County, Pa., and from there to Pittsburgh, Rowland Armstrong, politically, was a Whig, but with strong anti-slavery views. Religiously, he and his were Presbyterians. Mrs. Armstrong died in 1843, and Mr. Armstrong in 1874.

David H. Armstrong was i-eared in Allegheny City, Pa., and received a liberal education in the schools of that place. In early life he learned the mason's trade, which he has followed the greater part of his life. He was married in Allegheny City, in 1843, to Miss Letitia Melville, a daughter of James Melville; she was born in Westmoreland County% Pa., in 1824. By this union there were ten children:.James M. is an attorney-at-law at Spokam Ealls, Wyo.; for some years he was Register of the United States land-office at that place, but was retired by President Cleveland. He served as a soldier in the 12th Iowa Infantry, and at the battle of Atlanta lost a foot. Rowland H. resides

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

In 1856, Mr. Armstrong came with his family to Washington, where he engaged in his trade of masonry, and which he followed until 1862, when he enlisted in the 13th Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the war. Soon after his enlistment he was placed on detached duty in the mail service, and was first stationed at Wicksburg. At the time Hood made his attack on Nashville, he was in the city. The regiment was mustered out at Washington, D. C, at which time he was on detached service at Selma, Ala. Receiving notice of his muster out, he returned home and remained at Washington until 1879, whpn he went to Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico. In 1887 he again returned to Washington, where he now resides.

Mrs. Armstrong died in 1872. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in her life exemplified the teachings of the Savior. She was loved and respected by all who knew her.

In politics, Mr. Armstrong is a radical Republican, with which party- he has been connected since its organization. He was a.Justice of the Peace for six years. As a citizen, Iw is well known and universally respected.

R. W. P. RODMAN, deceased, was born in Douglasstown, Bucks Co., Pa., March 20, 1817, and when he was about one year of age his parents moved to Zanesville, Ohio. At the age of twelve years he matriculated at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, then under the administration of Bishop Chase. He was one of the first students of this now celebrated Episcopal college, which was at that time not completed, the school then being held in a log cabin. He remained several years at Kenyon College, when he completed his classical studies, returned to Zanesville, and began the study of medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Morehead, graduating at the College of Medicine and Surgery, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1838. The same year he began the practice of medicine at Bellefontaine, Ohio. Relocating in the spring of 1840, at Martinsburg, Knox Co., Ohio, he remained there until his removal to Washington County, Iowa, in May, 1856. Dr. Rodman's marriage was celebrated Oct. 22, 1839, Miss Edith T. Cadwallader, of Zanesville, Ohio, becoming his wife. Three sons graced their marriage: Alfred A., physician and druggist, of Washington, Iowa; Charles C., deceased, who was a merchant of Washington, prior to his death, which occurred in 1867, and George, editor of the Washington Democrat.

Dr. Rodman located at Washington when the town was in its infancy, but from his coming in 1856 till his demise in 1882, he was regarded by the public as oiie of the most skillful physicians in the West. He was a great reader and a logical reasoner. He was educated in the Kpiscopal Church, and ever revered its forms and ceremonies, but there being no church of tiiat denomination where he resided in his boyhood, he united with the Presbyterian Church, remaining an honored member of the same until his death. He was a Christian in every sense. To those who knew him best, he was talkative, genial and jovial. He never did an action for policy's sake, and cared nothing for friends who must be won b\' favoring. Reticent and uniissuming in a high degree, he yet possessed opinions which were boldly expressed. The Doctor's ideas of right and justice were severe, j'et he had the largest charity for the frailties and weaknesses of humanity. Intentionally he wronged no one, and seldom forgave a wrong done him. Caring nothing for the position in society of any one, he loved honesty, integrity and manliness, wherever they existed, be the sul>ject wealthy or poor. He was gentle as a child, and made his family the objects of his worship, and nothing could reconcile him to their sepai'ation. He never punished in any way one of his children, neither did either of them cause him a moment's pain. His patients became friends who loved iiim for his fidelity, gentleness and candor, and no man was ever the recipient of fuller confidence than he received from them, in whose behalf he endured hardships and exposure which shortened his life. A physician's life is full of kindness, charity and heroism that the world never dreams of. A few weeks before his death a rapid decline was noticed. He sank quietly to sleep — that dreamless sleep which knows no awakening. Without pain, but in full possession of his mental faculties, he bade farewell to his wife and children, and his life ebbed aw.ay.is gently as the setting sun sinks from a cloudless sky. Thus ended a life that was pure and honorable, for which death had no sting and the grave no terrors. The physicians of this city acted as pall-bearers, and on Sabbath afternoon, April 2, 1882, his remains were interred in the Washington Cemetery, Rev. White, his beloved pastor, officiating at the funeral services.

Forty-four years of the life of Dr. W. F. Rodman were devoted to the profession, of which more than a quarter of a century was spent in this county. His estimable widow and two sons are yet residents of Washington.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Washington County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.