James Armstrong 1842-1925

ARMSTRONG, DICK, MUELLER, BELL, CARTY, HERLING

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 3/14/2020 at 19:12:06

James Armstrong was born in January 1842 in County Down, Ireland; James was the son of David and Jane Armstrong who came to the U.S. when James was young.

In 1854 they came to Dubuque County where his father became a large contractor of this area. He constructed the county jail, Sherriff’s house, and many principal bridges up until the Civil War. When 15, James Armstrong was left in charge of his father’s large farm in Taylor Township and in 1865 he was deeded the 160 acre tract of land which he held until 1872. James then went into partnership with George McGee in the hardware and implement business.

He was a Democratic and member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He served as mayor of Dyersville in 1887

This endeavor he continued along and with other partners until he started the Armstrong lumber company in Dyersville in 1880.

James married Martha Dick, a native of Philadelphia, June 1865. She was a native of Pennsylvania and the daughter of Elizabeth Dick. Twelve children were born to this union: David, Raymond, Roy, Harold died infancy, George G., James, Charles l., David W., Clara (Mrs. John Mueller), and Emily (Mrs. T. R. Bell), Margaret E. (Mrs. Elmer E. Carty), Eliza J. (Mrs. E. C. Herling), Mary J. and Martha I. at home.

After the family home burned to the ground, James Armstrong built a home on the same site at 502 2nd Ave. S.E.

The History of Farley, Welu Publishing, Copyright, 1996.