El Dorado County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
THOMAS Z. ARMSTRONG
 
            Thomas and Jane (Bell) Armstrong were natives of the city of 
Glasgow, Scotland.  They came to the United States about 1829 and settled at 
West Union, Adams county, Ohio, where Thomas Z., the subject of our sketch, was 
born on the 28th day of February, 1831.  When about 9 years old his father died; 
he had lived on a small farm and was a contractor on the pikes or toll roads in 
use at that time.  About 1846 Thomas went with an uncle to Whiteside county, 
Illinois.  On the 22d day of August, 1850, he arrived at Placerville, 
California, and went to mining at Fort John on Dry creek.  In 1851 he went to 
Volcano canyon in Placer county, and thence to Coloma, where he remained until 
1867.  For a number of years he had charge of the toll bridge, and was in the 
employ of Thomas H. Williams as ditch agent for some time.  In 1867 he went to 
Jones� Hill and purchased a mining claim which he operated for over twelve 
years.  In May, 1880, he became a resident of Georgetown.  On June the 1st, 
1881, he paid $200 for the Rich Gulch mine, from which in about sixty-five days 
he took out near $18,000.  He associated with him in the ownership of the mine 
Mr. Amos Baldwin, also an old time Californian.  Mr. Armstrong came to 
California with less than enough to buy one meal to eat, but by perseverance and 
fair dealing has accumulated a handsome competence.  He is a Royal Arch Mason 
and also an I.O.O.F.
 
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo 
Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p � 222-223
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler