Thomas Armstrong

As printed in 1889

HOMAS 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

WAYi\E COUNTY.

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.

Eliza was born August 11, 1813, married J. P. Smurr, and they had three children: Elinor, Thomas A. and Jennie. Of these, Elinor married J. G. Hower, and lived in Cleveland; Thomas A. is an eminent physician, living in Ottawa. I! and Jennie married John Blocker, and is living in Wooster. Mr. and Mrs. Smurr lived for a time in Wooster, then moved to Canaan Township, and finally to Wayne

Township, where they both died within a few months of each other. They were both members of Wayue Presbyterian Church, and led a consistent Christian life.

Jalia Ann and Hannah Maria, twin sisters, were born October 15, 1816. Julia Ann married Neal McCoy, and died leaving two children, one of whom, James A., is living. Hannah Maria married John McCoy, who died, and she afterward married Robert Taggart. They moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where her husband died and she still lives. She has four children.

David was born December 18, 1818. His early youth was devoted to study, mixed with short intervals of farm life. In person he was tall and well formed, possessing an easy address and a commanding presence. His intellectual powers were of the highest order. His moral qualities forbade his stooping to any pursuit or amusement that was gross or degrading. AVith a high sense of honor, he yielded to others what was due them, and secured for himself the respect and esteem of all who knew him. At school he was t respectful to his teachers and thorough in I all his attainments. He was a universal favorite among his schoolmates, and none knew him but to love him. He studied medicine with his brother at Hayesville, finished his course at Cincinnati, and became an eminent physician. He acquired a large and lucrative practice during the few years that he lived, an ornament to the medical profession. He married Matilda Scott, of Hayesville, who died a short time after their marriage, he surviving her but a few years.

Jane was born June 18, 1820, and married Francis McConnel. She left a family of five children, three of whom are living.

Calvin, the only representative of the family now in Wayne County, was lion June 3, 1820, and September 5, 18-47, married Mary McKee. Thejhave two sons and two daugliters.

Thus we have briefly sketched the lives of the family of Thomas Armstrong, who were worthy children of a most worthy father and mother.

As printed in Commemorative biographical record of Wayne County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families .. (1889). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.