James M. Armstrong

As printed in 1887

JAMES M. ARMSTRONG, M. D., a prominent and skillful physician of Lisbon, is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and was born six miles from New Lisbon, Nov. 0, 1812. His father, Andrew Armstrong, was a native of York County, Pa., and his grandfather, John Armstrong, was also a native of the same county and a farmer by occupation. The grandfather of our subject was a pioneer of Columbiana County, Ohio, arriving there in 1805. He purchased a tract of timber land, cleared a farm, established a comfortable home, and remained there until his life terminated. A grandson, John Armstrong, now owns and occupies the old farm.

Andrew Armstrong, the father of our subject, was a young man when he removed with his parents to Ohio. In due time he was married to Miss Rachel King, a native of Franklin County, Pa. lie purchased a farm near his father's homestead, where he remained for several years, then sold out and purchased another tract of land two miles from New Lisbon. After a few years lie also sold this and purchased a hotel at Rochester, in the same county. He was occupied as "mine host" the remainder of his life. The wife and mother passed from earth three days after the demise of her husband. Thejr were the parents of nine children, only four of whom are living; Thomas K. is a resident of Toledo, Iowa; the subject of our sketch is the next in order of birth; William B. lives in Marion; Mrs. Elizabeth Young resides in Mt. Vernon.

The subject of this notice was the second child of his parents' family. He was a bright, active boy, and improved every opportunity for educating himself. His advantages were few; he attended the subscription school during the day, and at night studied at home by the light of the tallow dip. At the age of twenty-two years he was employed as clerk in a general store, at New Lisbon, and still pursued his studies during his leisure hours, making the German language one of his specialties. He was thus occupied for a year, and then engaged in business on his own account.

The marriage of James M. Armstrong and Miss Harriet M. Perrigo was celebrated Oct. 28, 1837. Mrs. Harriet Armstrong was a native of New York State, and died Dec. 6, 1839. After his marriage Dr. Armstrong engaged in farming, and was thus occupied for two years. He had for some time been inclined to enter upon a professional life, and commenced the study of medicine in the office of George Fries, M. D., at Hanover, Columbiana Co., Ohio. He remained there two years and then attended a course of lectures in Philadelphia. He commenced practice at Carrolton, Carroll Co., Ohio, and remained in this county until 1856, when lie decided to go farther West. He crossed the Mississippi, came into Lisbon, then but a growing village, commenced practice here, and has been for the most part actively engaged until L882; at that time he endeavored to withdraw, and now only practices among old friends and acquaintances.

The second marriage of Dr. Armstrong occurred Sept. 14, USl.'i, at which time he was united with Miss Nancy J. Westfall, a native of Carroll County, Ohio, and she departed this life Sept. '

Dr. Armstrong was married a third time, Sept.

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24, 1865; the lady of his choice being Mrs. Caroline (Eckerson) Coe. She was a native of Bergen County, N. J., and a daughter of Edwin P. and Hettie (Conldin) Eckerson. She was the widow of John D. Coe, also a native of New Jersey, and by her first husband became the mother of live children. He died Oct. 6, 1.sk>3. The record of the children is as follows: Augusta Parsons lives in Marshall County, Iowa; Adeline Ackerly lives in Sac County, Iowa; Mary Kettering, in Lisbon; Frank G., at Long Island, Phelps Co., Kan.; Clarence M., in Custer County, Neb.

Dr. Armstrong is the father of six children; a daughter, Harriet, by the first marriage, and of the second marriage, the children are as follows: Frances E. Rood lives in Mt. Vernon; Thomas, in Butler County, Kan.; Sarah Kurtz, in Marion; Levi, in Waukon, Allamakee Co., Iowa, and Anna Shaum, in Maryville, Mo.

Dr. and Mrs. Armstrong are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee, President of the Board of Trustees, and has been a teacher in the Sabbath-school for years. He is interested in all good works, and everything that tends to the advancement of the intellectual and moral states of the community. As a physician he was skillful, faithful in the discharge of his duties, and greatly attached himself to his patients by his uniform sympathy and kindness. He stands among the honored residents of Lisbon, and is accorded that respect and affection which is due to every man who has fulfilled all the obligations of a a;ood citizen.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.