John W. Armstrong, a well-to-do farmer and stock raiser
of Macoupin County and a self made man in every sense the word implies, as
well as a respected and honored citizen, is residing on his productive farm
of 80 acres situated in section 5, Polk township. He was born in Greene
County, Illinois, March 24, 1848, and is a son of John and Elizabeth
(Gelder) Armstrong.
John Armstrong was born at Brampton, England,
August 26, 1794, and came to America in the early pioneer days, locating in
Greene County, Illinois, where he engaged at farming. His wife, Elizabeth
Gelder, was born January 23, 1813 at Whitley, Yorkshire, England, and they
were married November 24, 1836, in Macoupin County, Illinois. She died at
Chesterfield, Macoupin County, February 20, 1878, while enjoying her 66th
year. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living,
namely: Sarah Jane, who married E. C. Hall, a prominent merchant of
Chesterfield, Illinois, and has three children — Grace, Chase and May; John
W., our subject; Elizabeth, who married Peter Randolph, deceased, who was a
farmer of Jersey County, Illinois, where his surviving wife and one child,
Clara, now reside. John Armstrong died at Athensville, Greene County,
Illinois, June 16, 1859, while in his 66th year.
John W. Armstrong
received his education in the common schools of Greene and Macoupin
counties, and remained upon the homestead until i6 years of age, assisting
in the farm labor. By hard and industrious work he succeeded in accumulating
sufficient money to purchase his present farm, which is unsurpassed in
productiveness by any farm in the county. Our subject takes great pride in
keeping his farm well supplied with all modern conveniences. In political
views he is a supporter of Republican principles, but takes little interest
in political affairs other than to support good government. In fraternal
circles he is a Mason.
In 1882 our subject married Eliza F. Duckies,
daughter of William and Francis Duckies, whose family sketch will be found
in this work under the name of E. G. Duckies. Our subject and wife are the
proud parents of one child, Phoebe D., born October 16, 1883.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 427-428.
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