ARMSTRONG, Mrs. C. E. -1925

ARMSTRONG, WHALEN

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 10/5/2002 at 10:13:12

The Clinton Advertiser Tuesday September 8, 1925 p. 6 "Sleep on, beloved, sleep and take thy rest; Lay down thy head upon thy Savior's breast. We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best! Good night!" Death came peacefully Sunday afternoon to Mrs. C.E. Armstrong, beloved Clinton resident for many years. A 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Armstrong passed away in St. Luke's hospital, Chicago, where for five weeks she had been receiving treatment. Her death was unexpected, as favorable reports of her condition had recently been received, and it was thought she would recover. Last Friday, however, came a change in her condition, and her son Roscoe W. Armstrong and his wife were called to Chicago. They were with her in the closing hours of her life. The body of Mrs. Armstrong was brought to Clinton Monday evening, and was taken to the family home 335 Fifth avenue. Funeral services will be held there at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Rev. J.M. Duerr, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, will officiate, and burial will be in the family lot in Springdale cemetery. Tidings of Mrs. Armstrong's death were received with profound sorrow by the people of Clinton who loved and admired her as a devoted, high-minded Christian woman. She had made her home in this community since her marriage with C.E. Armstrong in 1874, and every year had added to the ever-growing number of her friends, as the noble qualities which distinguished her became better known. Ida Whalen was born in Medina, New York, the only child of Honorable E.S. Whalen and Mrs. Catherine Whalen. She received her early education in the academy of her native city. Mr. Armstrong, as youth, was employed in Medina, and after he had come to Clinton and worked here four years, he returned to Medina, and the couple was married. They came at once to this city, and established their home here. Mr. Armstrong died in 1916. Surviving the decedent are her son, Roscoe W. Armstrong, and three grandchildren, Roscoe W. Armstrong Jr., Kenneth Armstrong and Catherine Armstrong. Three children of Mrs. Armstrong preceded her in death, the late Carroll Armstrong and two children who died in infancy. Mrs. Armstrong had become widely known in Iowa and the middle west thru her connection with the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served a term as state regent of the organization, and was highly successful in her state work. She was honorary state regent up to the time of her death. She served Clinton chapter as regent in 1898 and 1899, and again from 1902 to 1904. Mrs. Armstrong was deeply interested in the work of the D.A.R., and her regimes as chapter and state regent brought much honor to her and to the city of Clinton. Early in her residence in Clinton she became affiliated with the First Presbyterian church, and she was always a faithful member of that congregation, Sunday school and missions. She was gifted with a natural eloquence, enhanced by education and the benefit of wide travel in American and Europe, and her platform talks in church, Sunday school, and throughout the circle of her activities were always received by her hearers with delight and enthusiasm. She was a long-time member of the Tuesday club, and had served as president of that organization. Although of a quiet, dignified nature, Mrs. Armstrong was a courageous leader and an indefatigable worker in every activity to which she lent her efforts, contributing a loyal spirit of leadership or support which always brought success. But above all she was loyal to her home, where the beautiful influence of her life was best manifest. Husband and children were always her first care, and in the happy home circle, so frequently broken by death during recent years, she was the ideal, devoted wife and mother, beloved and loving. "Calm is thy slumber as an infant's sleep, But thou shalt wake no more to toil or weep - Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep! Good night!"