A F Armstrong

ARMSTRONG

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:45:30

A F Armstrong, the name of Garden township is an index or indication of the portion of the country included within its borders. Rich farming lands produce excellent crops in return for the care and labor bestowed upon the place and Garden township has aided in winning for Iowa its splendid reputation as an agricultural state. Connected with the work of cultivating the soil is Andrew F Armstrong, who lives on Sec 29, Garden township, where he owns a tract of land of 77 acres that is located a mile and a half from Madrid. During forty-five years he as resided in Boone county and has contributed in every measure to the growth and development of this portion of the state along agricultural lines.
He is a native of Sweden, born June 21, 1844, and is a son of Peter Armstrong, whose birth also occurred in that country. The mother bore the maiden name of Christina Nelson and she, too, was a native of Sweden. The father carried on agricultural pursuits in order to provide for his family, consisting of his wife and two children. In 1857, however, he came to the new world, taking passage on a sailing vessel, the Eclipse, in the command of Captain
Conrad. They left the harbor of Boston in June, 1857, after what was considered a very quick voyage of three weeks. By rail they made their way westward to Mount Pleasant, Iowa and from there to Jefferson county, taking up their abode near the town of New Sweden, where they remained for six weeks. They then continued their journey with ox teams to Boone county. Here Mr Armstrong purchase the land which his son now owns. He bought a tract of 80 acres which was raw and unimproved and on which he built a small house. He resided upon the homestead which he developed until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1901, when he had attained the advanced age of more that eighty years. His wife passed away January 8, 1900, and both were laid to rest it eh Delander cemetery. In their family were but two children, the daughter being Christina S, who became the wife of Andrew W Anderson. They located in Garden township and she died leaving one son, who is also now deceased.
Andrew F Armstrong, of this review, was a lad of thirteen years at the time of his arrival in Boone county, His memory carries him back to pioneer days, when the family experienced the hardships and trials as well as the pleasures of pioneer life. For miles away stretched the unbroken prairies, and improvement and progress seemed yet a work of the future. Mr Armstrong aided in developing the farm, remaining with his father until twenty-four years of age. He had but limited educational advantages, being almost wholly self educated, but he has mad the most of his opportunities in life and has not only secured a good competence, but through experience and observation he has largely broadened his knowledge, gaining a practical view of life.
On October 23, 1868, occurred the marriage of Mr Armstrong and Miss Christina W Segren, a native of Sweden, who came to the new world in 1861, when a child of nine years and was reared in Boone county. Four children have been born of this marriage: Elma, Peter E, Fredrick and Jennie, all of whom are at home and the sons assist their father in the work on the farm.
After his marriage Mr Armstrong located on Sec 20, Garden township, there improving a place on which he erected a good residence and also substantial barns and outbuildings. Trees were planted around the house, casting grateful shades over the lawn and home, and an orchard was also set out and its fruit stored in the cellar for winter use. Mr Armstrong became the owner of 432 acres of land and three business blocks in Madrid and continued to carry on farming until 1896, when he rented his land, which is divided into four farms and supplied with four sets of buildings. In the spring of 1897 he returned to the old homestead, carrying for his father during his declining years. In 1899 he erected a large, neat and attractive residence. It is built in modern style of architecture and forms a pleasing feature of the landscape. In it is a furnace, which heats the house with hot water and other modern equipments are found, and altogether it is one of the best residences in the township. Politically Mr Armstrong has been a life long Republican and cast his first presidential vote for U S Grant. The honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him for his labors have been concentrated upon his farm. Both he and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Madrid and are honored and respected people as well as pioneers of the county, where Mr Armstrong has made his home for nearly a half century, while his wife has been equally long a resident of this portion of the state. He is a man of integrity and worth and in the time when Boone county as a frontier region, he took an active interest in promoting its growth and improvement, while as the yeas have passed he has manifested a deep regard for the general good and as far as possible has aided in promoting its welfare.

1902 Boone County History Book