ARMSTRONG, Charles Emerson 1845-1916

ARMSTRONG, WHALEN

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 10/5/2002 at 10:40:36

The Clinton Herald Friday December 8, 1916 p. 1 Charles Emerson Armstrong, aged 71 years, for 46 years one of Clinton's leading and progressive business men, died at 3:45 o'clock this morning at the family home, 336 Fifth avenue, as the result of the hardening of an artery in one of his legs, which developed only last summer and assumed a serious phase about a week ago. Word of Mr. Armstrong's death, which spread about the city rapidly this morning, brought sorrow to the hearts of hundreds of business associates and other friends. Funeral services are to be held at the late home Monday afternoon. The hour has not yet been determined. Interment will be in Springdale cemetery. The hardware store owned by the firm of C.E. Armstrong & Sons, of which the deceased was the head, will be closed all day Monday, in deference to the memory of Mr. Armstrong. Left to mourn his death are his bereaved widow, two sons, Roscoe W. and Carroll E. Armstrong, both of Clinton; a brother, Henry E. Armstrong of Castleton, Vt., a nephew Charles A. Armstrong of Clinton, and a niece, Miss Anna Armstrong of New York city, daughter of a deceased brother. Although born in the east, Mr. Armstrong had been a resident of Clinton since 1870, during practically all of which time he was in business here. He was born, June 30, 1845, in Castleton, Vt., and spent his boyhood days on a farm among the Green mountains. After attending an academy at Poultney, Vt., he taught a district school in the neighborhood of his home for two terms. In 1868 he went to Medina, N.Y., to enter the employ of his uncle in the hardware business, remaining there for two years. As he had long seriously considered entering the manufacturing business, he then went with the Bignall Manufacturing company but after six months decided that larger opportunities were offered in the west. He therefore came to Chicago in 1870, planning to enter business there but before he found the opportunity learned there was an opening in Clinton with the hardware store owned by Charles M. Young. After a short time in the employ of Mr. Young, Mr. Armstrong became a partner and the firm was thereafter known as Young & Armstrong, dealers in hardware and china, with their store located on the west side of Second street, just north of Fifth avenue, on a site now covered by a part of the J.D. Van Allen & Son store. A few years later, Mr. Young retired and sold his interests to C. Lorenzen and F.S. Roberts and the new firm became C.E. Armstrong & Co. The china department of the store was closed out shortly after the new firm was organized and later the store was moved to the present location of C.E. Armstrong & Sons, 238 to 240 Fifth avenue, where the firm continued in business until August 1918, when the building and stock were practically destroyed by fire. Mr. Lorenzen and Mr. Roberts then retired from the partnership and Mr. Armstrong's two sons, Roscoe W. and Carroll E., became partners with their father under the firm name of E.E. Armstrong & Sons. Mr. Armstrong was married to Miss Ida Whalen of Medina, N.Y., at Medina, on September 9, 1874. The deceased was known as one of Clinton's public-spirited business leaders. He was possessed of a cheery and buoyant spirit which served him well in times of stress. Even in his last illness he did not lose his cheerful disposition, remaining hopeful and light-hearted until Tuesday night, when his condition became critical. For many years, Mr. Armstrong had planned a trip through Vermont and the New England states and had looked forward to a trip along the Connecticut river, where he had spent his boyhood days. Last summer he made the trip he had planned for so many years, visiting again the Green mountains, the memory of which he had always cherished. It was while on that trip that the symptoms of his final ailment appeared. Until then he had appeared to be in perfect health. While in the east, however, he complained of a pin in his leg. When he returned home, he started treatment for rheumatism. Indications appeared, however, which made him believe that his condition was due to some other ailment. A week ago last Monday, he remained at home for the first time and last Friday the nature of his ailment became definitely known as he went to be, under the care of a nurse. From that time on, his condition became steadily more alarming until the end.
The Clinton Advertiser Monday December 11, 1916 p. 7 The funeral of the late C.E. Armstrong was held this afternoon from the family home of Fifth avenue. Three o'clock was with hour of the funeral service, with Rev. H.J. Rendall, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating. The service was simple and impressive, including vocal numbers by Mrs. E.L. Miller and Harry Andrews, and the reading of poems which had been favorites of Mr. Armstrong and which were appropriate for the occasion, by Mr. Rendall. There were many beautiful floral emblems, sent by friends of the deceased Clinton merchant. One of the most beautiful among these was a floral chair, typical of the chair so long occupied by Mr. Armstrong in his place of business in Clinton. The was sent by the boys at the store. The active pallbearers were C. Lorenzen, F.S. Roberts, F.W. Ellis, J.H. Ingwersen, L.C. Moeszinger, T.M. Gobble, D. Stone and Daniel Haring. Honorary pallbearers were C.F. Alden, L.P. Allen, C.D. May, E.N. Nagle, F.B. Hemingway, James Leslie, Sr.