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Biographical
and Historical Record of Greene and Carroll Counties, Iowa Greene County A Biographies submitted by Nancee Seifert. WILLIAM H. ADAMS
resides on section 27, Grant Township, where he settled in 1880, having
purchased land of the Walter Rhoads estate. The land was entered
by Thomas Roberts, but was purchased by Mr. Rhoads in 1856. Mr.
Adams came to Greene County in the fall of 1855 and settled in Washington
Township. His father, William Adams, purchased a tract of land
in Dallas Township, Dallas County, in 1855, and also purchased a tract
in Washington Township, Greene County. He now lives in Dallas
County. William H. settled upon the land which his father purchased
in Washington Township, which he improved, and lived there until he
came to his present home. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio,
in 1832, and when he was two and a half years of age, his parents removed
to Champaign County, Illinois. In 1855 he came to Iowa, stopping
a few days with Mr. John Ganoe, in Dallas County. In the spring
of 1855 his father came and made the purchase, before mentioned, and
our subject has been a resident of the county since that time.
He has 460 acres in his homestead farm, and also owns land in Washington
Township, owning over 800 acres in all. His parents were natives
of Ohio, and had twelve children. Four sons and three daughters
are now living. Charles and George W. live in Washington Township.
Our subject was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Walter and Mary
Rhoads, who were natives of Maryland, and removed to Greene County,
Ohio, when they were young, where they lived until their marriage, then
removed to Champaign County, Illinois, about 1830. In 1855 they
came to Greene County, this State, and settled where Mr. Adams now lives,
remaining until their decease, the father dying in September, 186l,
and the mother in 1871. They had ten children, eight of whom are
still living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have nine children -- William
W., John W., Lewis A., Warren, Mary A., Frances E., Minnie, Viana and
Jemima. Laura, the eldest daughter, died at the age of five years.
Mr. Adams is a Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential
vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856. His next vote was cast for
Abraham Lincoln. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. WILLIAM LAFAYETTE ADDY, an active and enterprising citizen of Junction Township, proprietor of the Dana Creamery, is a native of Linn County, Iowa, born April 23, 1856, and is the foster-son of Jacob A. Addy, of Junction Township, whose name he of his own accord adopted. His mother, Mary (Corbley) Fordyce, died when he was an infant, and his father, Abraham Fordyce, is still living in Linn County, a highly respected elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Waubeck. William L. Addy was reared in Springville, Linn County, where he attended school, and also attended the Western College of Linn County. He has taught school about five years, principally during the winter terms. He made farming his principal avocation until 1883. He came to Greene County in 1876. August 22, 1878, he was married to Miss Carrie Hughes, a daughter of Francis Hughes, a resident of Junction Township. They have two children, named Earl Fordyce and Frank Corbley. Since 1883 Mr. Addy has devoted part of his time to the creamery business, in connection with which he has carried on his farm until the last year, when he leased it. His farm is located on section 3, Junction Township, and contains 175 acres. He has on his farm graded Holstein and short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and also owns a half interest in a fine Norman stallion. His creamery is situated on his farm near his residence, and was built in 1881 by H. Jordan, who operated it until 1883, when it was purchased by Mr. Addy, the present proprietor. The main building is 20 x 34 feet, two stories in height, and the engine-room is 8 x 14 feet, with an ice-house 14 x 26 feet. He uses Barnes Brothers' engine and boiler, of Macquoketa, Iowa, the engine, which is a six-horse power, being used in churning and pumping, the boiler in heating the building, etc. The churn is rectangular in shape, and has a capacity of 400 pounds. The churn which is called the Conqueror Oil Test is also used, and is the finest process for testing the quality of the cream. During the winter seasons Mr. Addy handles cream and unsalted butter only, and in the summer months also handles milk. He handles from 2,000 to 7,000 pounds of the latter daily, and makes as high as 1,500 pounds of butter in a day. During the busy season of 1886 thirteen men were employed. Mr. Addy ships principally to Boston and New York, and has dealt with the same commissioners since he engaged in his present business -- Utley & Boynton, of Boston, and McBride & Co., of New York. He usually puts up 100 tons of ice annually, all of which he uses in his business. Mr. Addy is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Junction Lodge, No. 357, at Grand Junction. HENRY H. ADKINS, farmer, section 6, Washington Township, was born in Champaign County, Illinois, November 2, 1846. His father, LEWIS ADKINS, deceased, was a native of Ohio, born in 18l6, and emigrated to Illinois in an early day. His mother, Mary A. (Phillippee) Adkins, is living with her son, and is aged seventy-two years. The parents had ten children, four of whom are living -- Angeline, Henry, Nelson and Fannie. They removed to Dallas County, Iowa, in 1856, and to this county in the fall of 1857, settling where Henry now lives. The country was very new and wild, and abounded in deer, elk, wolves, etc. The father died in December, 1882. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. The first school he attended was taught by A. R. Mills, in a small plank house. Mr. Adkins owns 120 acres of excellent land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married July 18, 1869, to Mary E. Hoover, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Hoover, pioneers of Washington Township, having settled there in 1855. The father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Adkins have had six children, three of whom are living -- Charles W., Effie E., and Mabel M. In politics Mr. Adkins is a Republican, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Hoover's father was born in Ohio, March 10, 1823; her mother is a native of Virginia. JOHN H. ALBERT, section 22, Jackson Township , was born in Lancaster County , Pennsylvania , December 6, 1848 , a son of Emanuel and Mary (Will) Albert, also natives of the Keystone State . He was the second in a family of ten children. In 1866 the family came West as far as Indiana , and settled in Whitley County , where John H. completed the years of his minority. In 1869 he commenced life for himself in LaSalle County , Illinois , working that year on a farm. In 1870 he came to Iowa and found employment in Cedar County , where he remained two years, and was there married. After his marriage he returned to Whitley County, Indiana, where he remained three years, and then came again to Iowa and lived in Cedar County until February, 1877, when he located in Greene County, buying and occupying his present homestead in that year. His farm contains eighty acres of choice land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Albert was married February 15, 1872 to Miss Ursula Reynolds, a native of Pennsylvania , born December 2, 1854 . She was left an orphan in her early childhood, and was reared by her grandfather, Daniel Whitman, who is now cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Albert. They have seven children -- John Franklin, Charles C., Maud M., Martha M., Isaac N., David O. and an infant daughter. One daughter died in infancy. In politics Mr. Albert is a Democrat, and is one of the leading members of his party in Jackson Township . He is a member of the Odd Fellows order. As a citizen he ranks among the foremost in promoting any and all enterprises tending toward the public welfare. WILLIAM ALLAN, farmer, section 35, Jackson Township , is one of the leading agriculturists of Greene County , and pays taxes on more real estate than any other man in the township. His home farm contains 280 acres, devoted to stock-raising. He owns 160 acres on section 34, and 160 acres on section 31, Grant township. Mr. Allan was born in Aberdeenshire , Scotland , December 22, 1850 , son of William and Catherine ( Walker ) Allan, now deceased. Mr. Allan was reared to a farm life in Scotland . His parents never left their native soil. His mother died before he came to America , and his father afterward. He embarked at Glasgow in June, 1870, for New York City , where he landed, then came directly to Iowa , and made his home in Cedar County six years. He then came to this county, bringing a cash capital of $3,000, made almost entirely by industry and good management. He has been very successful since coming to Greene County . March 3, 1875 , in Cedar County , he was married to Miss Lucinda Rorick, who was born in Ohio , and of Dutch descent. Their five children are -- Mary, Isabel R., George R., Gracie and Edith. Mrs. Allan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Allan, though not a church member, was reared under the ministrations of the Scotch Presbyterian church. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Jefferson . He has a brother, John Allan, who owns 160 acres of land on section 24, Jackson Township , and one sister, Isabel, wife of John Perry, of Washington Township , this county. MRS. REBECCA A. ALLEN, proprietor of a boarding house at Grand Junction , was born in Oswego County , New York , August 20, 1832 , daughter of Amos Barrows, deceased. January 23, 1850 , she was married to John Allen, and has had six children, two of whom are living -- Amelia J. and Austin D. Charley Frank died at the age of five years. Amelia married G.B. Burk, and has two living children -- Ida B. and Fannie T. Mr. Burk died, and Mrs. Burk married William Pierce of this place. They have one child -- Fred A. Austin married Mary Steberg, living in Angus, this State, and they have two children -- Lena A. and Harry D. Mrs. Allen removed with her husband to McDonough County , Illinois , in 1853, and to this county one year later, settling in Washington Township , then a wild country. They entered their land at Des Moines , which was then a small place, about the size of Grand Junction . They did most of their trading at Des Moines, about fifty miles distant; also had to go there or to Boone County to get their corn ground. The terrible severe weather killed their cow. Mrs. Allen saw droves of elk, deer, etc., in great numbers; also saw lynx. She has endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, having grubbed land herself to make her garden. There was but one house where Jefferson now stands when Mr. and Mrs. Allen settled in the county, that was a log house. She sold produce up and down the railroad for some time. She came to Grand Junction in 1872, and kept the St. Louis House two years, then kept the Allen House nine years. She is now keeping a first-class boarding house, and is having a good patronage, which she richly deserves. RENSSELAER ALLEN, one of the prominent citizens of Greene County, and an active and enterprising agriculturist of Franklin Township, was born in Cayuga County, New York, June 7, 1849, his parents, Jonathan and Sarah (Robinson) Allen, being natives of the same State. They removed from New York State to Greene County, Iowa, in 1872, where they have since made their home. Our subject grew to manhood in his native State, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he has always followed with the exception of the time spent in the late war. He was married October 17, 1866, to Miss Ada A. Townsmen, who was born in Allegany County, New York, February 24, 1850, a daughter of A. and Julia (Jones) Townsmen, who were also natives of New York State, Mrs. Allen being the youngest in a family of fifteen children. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen -- George A., born August 4, 1867, is an enterprising young man and at present is engaged in working the home farm; Florence was born June l6, 1869, and Mattie J. was born January 18, 1878. Mr. Allen was a soldier during the late war, enlisting at the early age of sixteen years in Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth New York Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the battle of Bull Run, and several others of less note. He was wounded at Petersburg in June, 1864, by a minie-ball passing through the right side of his face, when he was taken to Davies Island, New York. He was honorably discharged from the service at Mitchell Station, Virginia. Mr. Allen remained in his native State until 1875, then he came with his family to Greene County, Iowa, since which he has followed farming on his farm on section 2, Franklin Township, where he has eighty acres of as good land as can be found in the county. His residence is comfortable and commodious, and his farm buildings are among the best in the county. He has a fine grove of maple trees, with other shade and ornamental trees, a fine lawn, and the entire surroundings prove the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer. He is always ready and willing to aid in any enterprise which tends toward the advancement of his township or county, and since coming here he has held the office of county supervisor, serving to the best interests of the county, and has also been connected with the school board a number of years. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Jefferson, and is a comrade of the Grand Army post. In politics he is a Republican. Postoffice, Cooper, Iowa. ALFRED ALLISON, one of Greene County's pioneers, resides on section l5, Cedar Township, where he owns 280 acres of valuable land. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in September, l829, the eldest of five children of Job and Anna (Coates) Allison. His parents left England in l830, sailing from Liverpool and landing in Quebec in May. In l832 they returned to England. He was reared in his native country, and was there married October 22, l850, to Miss Ann Arnett, who was born in Yorkshire, in May, l827, a daughter of Thomas and Hester Arnett. They started immediately for America, sailing from Liverpool, October 25, l850. They landed at New Orleans, December l6, and from there went to Mobile, Alabama, where they lived until June, l85l, when they moved to Rock County, Wisconsin, where they lived fourteen years. In l854 he bought eighty acres of land, which he improved. In September, l865, they moved to Greene County, Iowa, and settled near where they now live on a tract of unimproved land. His first home in the county was a log cabin, and at the time of his settlement there were but six families in the township. He now has a good house, and other farm buildings, an orchard of bearing trees, and all his surroundings betoken the thrifty and energetic farmer. From l877 until l882 he was postmaster at Cedar Creek, the postoffice being at his house. In politics Mr. Allison is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. They have three children -- John W.; Eliza A., wife of G.R. Waters, and Mary J., wife of William J. Bryant. JOHN G. ALLSTOTT, one of the practical, energetic young farmers of Bristol Township , resides on section 28. His farm is in excellent condition, and his buildings are comfortable and convenient. Mr. Allstott was born in Dubuque County , this State, in February, 1862. His parents, Edward and Sarah (Smith) Allstott, were born, reared and married in Indiana . They settled in Dubuque County soon after their marriage. John G. was their fourth child, the others being -- Mrs. Minerva Jane Smith, of Mills County, this State; William K., of Shelby County; James F., of Webster County; Ambrose, of Bristol Township, Greene County, and Mrs. Mary M. Wright, of Jackson Township. The mother died in Dubuque County in 1860. The father again married, his second wife being Miss Mary D. Doty. In 1864 they removed to Marion County , thence to this county in September, 1869, making their home on a farm in Bristol Township , where the father died in 1880. His widow has since married Levi Thompson. Our subject has always followed agriculture. October 28, 1872 , he was united in marriage with Miss Malinda Coombs, who was born in Champaign County , Illinois , September 10, 1854 . Her parents were among the early settlers of Greene County . After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Allstott lived one year with her father, working a portion of his large farm, and the following year he rented and worked the farm owned by Jesse Johnson. After this they owned and occupied their own home. Their home farm contains eighty acres of land. He also owns sixty-seven acres of prairie on section 29, and ten acres of timber. They have four children -- Jesse O., Charles E., Dora F. and Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Allstott are consistent members of the Christian church. WARREN E. AMES, farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, Junction Township, is a native of New York, born in Cicero, Onondaga County, September 24, 1828, a son of John Ames, a native of Vermont. His father was a carpenter and joiner, and in his youth he worked at the same trade. He also learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked a number of years. In 1847 he went to Ogle County, Illinois, where he worked at the carpenter's trade five years, and then began farming, which he has since followed. He came to Iowa in 1874, and in November of that year settled on a farm in Grand Junction, and in March, 1875, settled on the farm where he now lives. He owns 120 acres of valuable land, and his building improvements are comfortable and convenient. He was married October 1, 1848, to Guitan Vine, and to them were born seven children -- George, Henry, Alva, Mary, Ella, Harriet and Minnie. The last two are deceased. Mrs. Ames died, and September 21, 1870, Mr. Ames married Margaret Kannady, daughter of John Kannady. They have two children -- Charles W. and John M. Mr. Ames has an adopted son -- Thomas Early, now twenty-three years old, who has lived with him since his fifth year. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are members of the Baptist Church. BEN F. ANDERSON resides on section 16, Grant Township, where his father, Preston Anderson, settled in 1866. The latter was a native of Greene County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Eliza Jones. He emigrated with his family to Iowa, settling near Polk City, Polk County. The father bought the farm, now owned by his son, of Frank Robinson, who had made a few improvements, but the most of the improvements have been made by Mr. Anderson, who died June 22, 1885. His wife is still living. They were the parents of three children -- William, who lives in Muscatine County; Julia, wife of Caleb Head, and Ben. The latter was born in Greene County, Iowa, married Isadore Humphrey, and they have one child -- Robert L. D. B. ANDERSON,
farmer, section 9, Kendrick Township, postoffice Scranton, is one of
the pioneers of Greene County, and was born in Knox County, Ohio, February
24, 1841, son of J.Y. and Mahala (Cain) Anderson, the former a native
of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Putnam County, Virginia. They
were married in Perry County, Ohio, and reared a family of six children
-- J.A., A.B., D.B., S.B., W.H., and Miranda D. The family came
to Iowa in 1854, with teams and wagons. The father first settled
in Carroll County, five miles northeast of Glidden. The family
spent the first winter south of Jefferson, while the father and older
sons camped out and prepared logs for a house. In the spring they
built a hewed-log house, which was one of the best within a radius of
thirty miles. Our subject was the hunter of the family, and supplied
them with game. He had some very exciting experiences. At
one time he found a large elk, and having only five bullets, which failed
to bring the stag down, he dug a bullet out of a tree, which he had
previously used in shooting at a mark, and that, with the assistance
of his trusty dog, brought the animal down. Mr. Anderson was married
July l, 1858, to Miss Eliza Miller, daughter of J.P. Miller, a prominent
pioneer and physician of this county, who used frequently to ride fifty
miles to visit his patients. Mr. Anderson located upon his present
farm in 1865, where he has since resided. During the late civil
war, he enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company E, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry,
and was in General Sherman's grand march to the sea and several other
engagements. He was honorably discharged June 5, 1865, and returned
to his home. His farm contains 173 acres of excellent land, with
good buildings. Mrs. Anderson died January 9, 1879, and April
13, 1879, Mr. Anderson was married to Mrs. Anna Nesbit, widow of John
Nesbit, and the mother of five children -- M.L., Etta L., Alice M.,
Alva U. and Anna B. By his first marriage Mr. Anderson had ten
children, six of whom are living -- Alice, Sylvester, Freddie, Hattie,
Myra and David. To his second marriage were born three children
-- Eliza Pearl, Myrtie E. and Levi Ross. Politically Mr. Anderson
is a Republican, and served as township clerk for twelve years.
He has also served as constable and as secretary of the school board.
He is a member of N.H. Powers Post, No. lll, G.A.R., at Scranton; he
is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. JOSEPH W. ANDERSON
resides on the southwest quarter of section 22, Grant Township, where
he located in 1867. The first improvements on the place were made
by J.A. Snodgrass. Mr. Anderson owns 260 acres of excellent land,
the most of which is improved, and he is engaged in general farming
and stock-raising. Mr. Snodgrass erected a frame building in 1858,
made of native timber and mostly of black-walnut finish. In 1886
Mr. Anderson removed the building and erected his present fine residence
at a cost of $1,000. He also has good comfortable farm buildings
all of which he built himself. The farm is well fenced, and in
a good state of cultivation. Mr. Anderson is conceded to be among
the best farmers and stock-raisers in his township. He is a son
of William Anderson, who settled with his family in Grant Township,
November 23, 1856. The father is a native of Ohio, born August
5, 1810, where he was reared, and where he married Amarilla Dinesmore,
who died in Ohio, September, 1846. December 6, 1848, the father
married Lydia Horney. On the 7th day of October, 1856, the family
started for Greene County, Iowa, the father having been here the previous
fall and made his location. The family consisted of the parents
and nine children, all of whom came at the same time. An older
son, J.F., was then in California. He also came to Greene County,
married, and settled in Jefferson, where he lived until his decease.
One of the daughters, Sarah, was married at that time, and also came,
with her husband, John A. Snodgrass. John Betebenner and wife
came with the Anderson family and settled in Grant Township, but now
lives in Guthrie County. They came through with teams and wagons,
the journey consuming about six weeks. This country was all new
at that time, Des Moines being their market and their post-office.
Settlers were scarce, but what there were rendered mutual assistance,
and a friendly feeling existed in the hearts of all. A desire
to help one another existed to a degree not often seen in older communities.
William Anderson is still a resident of Greene County. Uncle Billy,
as he is familiarly called, September 15, 1886, sold the old homestead
to David Miller, of Illinois, for $13,000, and then bought 120 acres
of fine land a mile and a half north, of M.B. McDuffie, paying for it
$25 an acre. On this farm is a good frame house and artesian well.
All the children that came with their parents are still living except
one daughter, Ann. She was a child of the first marriage.
She became the wife of Pleasant Reed, in 1861, who died in February,
1862, his wife surviving him but a few months. There were seven
children born to Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson after they came to this
county, six of whom are living. Mr. Anderson, Sr., is the father
of seventeen children, fourteen of whom were living in 1886. He
has thirty-four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Joseph
W. Anderson, the subject of this notice, was born in Fayette County,
Ohio, January 14, 1844. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company
H, Tenth Iowa Infantry, and served three years. He was in the
battles of Iuka, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Missionary
Ridge, and some others of less note. He was discharged at Kingston,
Georgia, his term of enlistment having expired in September, 1864.
In 1862 he received a gunshot wound at Corinth, from the effects of
which he has never fully recovered. He was married March 15, 1866,
to Nancy J. Cochran, daughter of George and Phebe Ann Cochran.
She was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1848, and when she was a small
child the family removed to Indiana, where the mother died when she
was three years old. The father then returned to Ohio with his
daughter, who was his only child. Mr. Cochran came to Iowa, leaving
his daughter in Ohio, and she came to Greene County in 1862. Her
father now lives in Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have no children.
Politically he is a Republican. GEORGE ANDREW, residing on section 6, Bristol Township , is one of the most estimable citizens of Greene County , and one of the early settlers of his neighborhood. He was born in Lincolnshire , England , within fourteen miles of the city of Lincoln . He was reared to a farm life by his parents, George and Ann Andrew. He became a practical engineer, and was employed eight years in England as a stationary and locomotive engineer. His wife was Miss Catherine Hatter. They were wedded March 4, 1852 . Mrs. Andrew was born in the same shire as her husband. The month following their marriage they embarked at Liverpool for New York City , and proceeded thence to Clayton County , this State, making their home at Farmersburg. Mr. Andrew bought eighty acres of land there, and there their children were all born. He was bereaved by the death of his wife in 1867. She died after a sickness of long duration and suffering, at the age of thirty-six years. Mr. Andrew came to Greene County , accompanied by his six children, in 1871. He owns a good farm and is in comfortable circumstances, and is possessed of the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His children are -- William, Catherine, Abbie, Clayton, Ella and Charles. Catherine is the wife of W.C. Stream, who, with her husband and children, Bert, Clarence, Ella and George, lives with Mr. Andrew. Abbie is the wife of James Clifferton; Ella married Alfred Flack; Charles lives with his father; William and Clayton are married and settled by themselves. Mr. Andrew is not a member of any church, but he lives a practical Christian life. His wife was a consistent member of the Baptist Church . In politics he is an ardent Republican. JOHN D. ARCH, one of the representative farmers and a prominent citizen of Jackson Township, Greene County, is a native of New Jersey, born in Morris County, June 11, 1822, his parents, Thomas and Betsy Ann Arch, being natives of the same State, where they resided till their death. John D. was reared a farmer, and has never pursued any other avocation. His education was such as was common to the farmer boys in his native State, and he made the most of his opportunities, becoming quite well educated. He was married in New Jersey in 1843 to Miss Catherine Colwell, a daughter of Joshua and Ann Colwell, who afterward settled in Bureau County , Illinois , among the early settlers. In 1850, with his wife and three children, Mr. Arch came west, locating in Bureau County , Illinois , where he improved a small farm, making that his home for nearly twenty-five years, when he came with his family to Greene County , Iowa , and in November, 1874, settled on section 31, Jackson Township . He has made almost all the improvements on his fine farm of 240 acres, although before his occupancy a few acres had been broken and a log cabin erected by the former owner, John C. Frazee. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arch -- George, a resident of Greene County; William A. living at Scranton City, Greene County; Ransom, Mrs. Anna Jaquies, Mrs. Emma Gouger, John and Eddie. Two sons, Walter S. and Frank, died in early childhood. Mr. Arch is an active and public-spirited citizen, and gives liberally of his means toward any enterprise for the good of his township or county, and is highly respected by all who know him. In his political views he is very independent, men, not parties, being his motto. THOMAS
J. ARMSTRONG, general merchant, and postmaster at Surry, was
born in Montgomery County, Indiana, July 25, 1838. His father,
Henry Armstrong, was a native of Kentucky, and settled in Indiana in
1832, surrounded with woods and wild animals. He cleared ground
for a log cabin, in which our subject lived until 1856. He removed
to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, in 1878, and to Greene County, Iowa,
the year following. He conducted the Armstrong bank one winter.
In the summer of 1880 he removed to Gowrie and established a coal yard,
which he conducted until March, 1883, then came to Surry and built a
store building, and put in a stock of general merchandise. He
carries a capital stock of $1,000, and does an annual business of $6,000.
He was married November 22, 1866, to Sarah Cole, daughter of Joshua
Cole, deceased, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Armstrong was also
born in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong had one child, who was
burned to death by his clothes taking fire from a grate, when in his
fourth year. Mr. Armstrong was a soldier in the late war, being
a member of Company G, Eleventh Indiana Infantry, enlisting for three
months at the first call for troops. In 1863 he enlisted for three
months in Company E, Seventy-eighth Indiana Infantry. He is a
member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, of the Knights of Labor, and of
the Christian Church. He was appointed postmaster in May, 1884.
In politics he is a Greenbacker. Mrs. Armstrong is also a member
of the Christian Church. |