Christopher
C. Armstrong, whose
portrait accompanies this sketch, is classed among the retired business men
of Girard who have been most active in advancing the city's material
interests, by reason of the fact that for many years he successfully
conducted a general store here, and also aided in the administration of
public affairs. He is a fine representative of one of the old pioneer
families of Illinois, and is himself a native of this State, born on a farm
near Fielden, Jersey County, January 2, 1837.
Our subject's father,
Maurice Armstrong, was a native of Kentucky, a son of one of its early
pioneers, Joshua Armstrong, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth. The last named
was also a pioneer of this State during territorial days, migrating from
Kentucky with teams in 18 10, and being one of the first to settle in what
is now Madison County. At that time there were but few white settlers in
Illinois, and the Indians, who were often hostile, still held possession of
their ancient hunting grounds. The few whites who had boldly ventured within
their domain, to avail themselves of the advantages afforded by the rich
virgin soil, built blockhouses in which to live when the Indians were on the
war-path, and they always went armed into the fields. The grandfather of our
subject, after spending several years in Madison County, removed to Jersey
County, and there died in the fullness of time. His wife bore the maiden
name of Sarah Morris, and she was born in Virginia, of French ancestry.
The father of our subject was young when the family came to Illinois,
and he grew to a stalwart, vigorous manhood in the wilds of Madison County.
When he started out in life on his own account he bought in that county a
tract of land with a few improvements, and lived upon it until 1833, when he
sold that place, and took up his abode in what is now Jersey County, where
he bought a tract of timber land and built the log house in which his son,
of whom we write, was born. He rived shingles for the roof, and made the
house in the primitive manner common in the construction of dwellings in
those days. After he had his family comfortably domiciled, he commenced to
evolve a farm from the wilderness. He had not the conveniences of modern
machinery to aid him in his work, and there were no railways to bring the
markets within easy access, so that whenever he needed supplies or wished to
dispose of his produce, he had to go to Alton with a team, that being the
nearest city. His wife, who was an adept at the old-fashioned arts of
carding, spinning and weaving, used to manufacture the cloth with which she
clothed her children, and she cooked their meals before the fire in the rude
open fireplace of the olden days.
In 1854 Maurice Armstrong sold his
place in Jersey County, and going to Montgomery County settled on land he
had entered from the government. He built upon it and resided there one
year, after which he rented it and, removing to Girard, bought a home in the
town, in which he lived quietly until his life was rounded out by death. In
early manhood he married Elizabeth Sims, a native of Kentucky. She died at a
venerable age at Girard. She was the mother of 12 children: Aholla, James,
Eveline, Mary Adeline, William, Thomas, Andrew, Jane, Christopher C.,
Benjamin F., Maurice and Elizabeth.
Christopher C. Armstrong was
reared under pioneer influences, and obtained his education in the primitive
schools of Jersey County, that were taught in log school-houses, furnished
with slab benches without backs and with wooden pins for legs. There were no
desks in front of the seats. The light was admitted by a log being cut out
of the wall, and a row of glass inserted into the aperture thus made. Our
subject can well remember the wild condition of the country in which he
passed his boyhood, when deer, wolves and other kinds of wild game were
plentiful. Before he attained his majority he left his home, with -its
familiar scenes, and in 1855 moved with his folks to Girard, then a small
but flourishing village, and opening a general store, he soon became one of
its most enterprising merchants. In 1870 he established himself in the drug
trade, and until recently carried it on very prosperously, having a neat and
well equipped store, fully stocked with everything usually found in such an
establishment. Mr. Armstrong sold this business in June, 1902, and in
September, 1903, with his son Byron, opened a large and well appointed drug
store in Jacksonville, Illinois, operating under the firm style of Armstrong
& Armstrong. Their stock, which is complete and up-to-date in every respect,
is valued at $10,000. They make a specialty of physicians' supplies.
Mr. Armstrong was married in 1862 to Fanny D. Weed, and they have made
their home the center of a charming hospitality. Six children have been born
to them, of whom four are now living: Herbert, Paul, Byron and Irene.
Mr. Armstrong is justly held to be one of the county's citizens, for his
private life is irreproachable and in every public position he has held he
has always acted for the best interests of the city and county. His fellow
citizens, appreciating his worth, his sound business instincts, and his
genuine integrity of character, have often called upon him to fill
responsible offices. He has represented Girard as a member of the County
Board of Supervisors several terms; he has served as a member of the City
Council of Girard, and also as a member of the School Board. He belongs to
Girard Lodge No. 171, A. F. and A. M.; Girard Chapter, No. 132, R. A. M.;
St. Omar Commandery, No. 30, K. T.; and Macoupin Council, R. and S. M.
Politically, he is a Democrat, and has always stood firmly by his party.
Aside from his private business, our subject is identified with the
financial interests of the city, — as treasurer of the Girard Building and
Loan Association, and as president of the Girard Coal Company, he has
contributed greatly to their success and importance.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 470-473.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022