James Armstrong (1840-1914)

ARMSTRONG, ARMSTRONG, BAKEWELL, WHEELOCK, MOORE, HANSEN

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Passing of a Good Man

James Armstrong was born near Monohan, Ireland, February 2, 1840, died February 17, 1914, aged seventy-four years and fifteen days.

He came to America at the age of nineteen years. November 19, 1862, he was united in marriae to Miss Eliza Armstrong at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. To this union were born nine children, three sons and six daughters, all of whom except the first born are living as follows: J. Bakewell, Denver, Colorado; Fannie E. Wheelock, Hartley, Iowa; Abbie M. Moore, Hatfield, Missouri; Warren W., Sutherland, Iowa; Sadie B. Hansen, Estherville, Iowa; Foster J., Black Creek, NY; Pat B., the youngest daughter still remaining at home with the father, Mrs. Armstrong having died seven years previous. Besides these, he leaves one aged sister, seventeen grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

He came to Jones County, Iowa in 1864. In 1869, he moved to Marshall County, where he lived twelve years. Later he moved to O'Brien County where he purchased the farm on which he lived until death claimed him.

He accpted Christ as his Savior at the age of fourteen years, and became a member of the M.E. church. More than thirty-seven years ago he accepted the Sabbath and kindred truths as held by the Church of God, in which faith he died.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 20, from the M.E. church in Hartley, the Rev. Baker of Royal conducting the services.

Mr. Armstrong was one of our early pioneers and was perhaps, one of the best and most favorably known men in the section of the country. As a Christian gentleman he was loved and respected by all who knew him. His life was an open book and his faith in God knew no wavering.

Often when cautioned by one of his children to be careful not to meet with an accident when leaving home, he would reply that his life was in the hands of god. His was an every day relition, a religion which sank below the surface and his living, abiding faith carried him to the grave as a shock of corn fully ripened whose life leaves behind him a lesson for good, the results of which cannot be accounted until the clarion rings the close of time.

Hartley (Iowa) Journal, 26 Feb 1914

Note: Cause of death is thought to be the result of injuries suffered when a runaway team of new horses dumped the wagon he was driving into a ditch a quarter mile from his home.