Armstrong, Aaron W.

ARMSTRONG, BOUNDS, EIFFERT, KRUSE, JONES, FISH, CLELAND

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 11/28/2012 at 10:48:40

Aaron W. Armstrong is one of the well-to-do farmers of Deep River township, his possessions here comprising eight hundred acres, divided into four farms, his home place being located on section. 26. He was born five miles east of Knoxville, Tennessee, March 20, 1835, and comes of Scotch ancestry in the paternal line. His great-grandfather, Robert Armstrong, was the progenitor of the family in America, and his son, Robert, the grandfather of our subject, entered land in East Tennessee, making his home in Knox county. He was a farmer by occupation and died in that state. His family included Aaron Armstrong, who became the father of our subject. The latter was born in the upper part of East Tennessee, August 3, 1787, and his entire life was spent in Knox county as a farmer. He wedded Miss Betsy Bounds, and they reared a family of fifteen children, one son and one daughter still residing in Tennessee, while one son, James, resides on the farm which was entered by the grand grandfather and later became the home of the father. The latter served in the war of 1812 and his death occurred in the fall of 1860.

Aaron W. Armstrong, whose name introduces this record, was reared on the home farm in the state of his nativity and after the death of the father, he assisted his mother in the management of the farm, remaining with her until he had reached the age of twenty-six years. He enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of company G, Sixth Tennessee Infantry, which he joined at Columbus, Kentucky, April 10, 1862. He was rapidly promoted first becoming corporal, afterwards sergeant and still later Sergeant Major. After serving with that command for eight months he was transferred to the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant and later captain. He participated in a number of skirmishes and did valiant duty for his country while at the front.

Following the close of hostilities, Mr. Armstrong returned to the old homestead in Tennessee and in the winter of 1865-6 made his way to Iowa, spending six weeks at Victor. He afterward spent seven months in Omaha, Nebraska, while for a brief period he was in Phelps county, Missouri. In March, 1867, he returned to Iowa, purchasing one hundred and six acres of land in Deep River township, for which he paid twelve dollars per acre and which constitutes part of his present holdings. He at once began to develop and improve his land and as time passed and he prospered in his work he added to his holdings from time to time until his possessions now embrace eight hundred acres all in Deep River township. This is divided into four farms. On his home place stands a good country residence and substantial outbuildings, all of which have been erected by Mr. Armstrong. He formerly owned and conducted a store in Tilton and also engaged in buying and shipping stock for a short time but now gives his entire time and attention to his farming and stock-raising interests, the principal feature of his work being the raising of horses, cattle and hogs, which he usually ships to the city markets. He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for when he first located in Poweshiek county, he found largely a wild and undeveloped region, but improving the advantages which a new country offers, he has added to his possessions until he is today numbered among the wealthy citizens of his section of the state.

Mr. Armstrong was married in Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, April 28, 1874, to Miss Emma Eiffert, who was born in Henderson county, Illinois, November 25, 1849. To them were born nine children: Cora E., the wife of Frank Kruse, a resident of Tilton; Ada J., with wife of L.W. Jones, a railroad man residing in Long Beach, California; and prior to her marriage a teacher in Colorado for eight years; Laura I., at home; Harry E., who follows farming in Deep Riving township; Margaret, the wife of Henry Fish, of Deep River; Maude, who died at the age of eighteen years; Luther, still under the parental roof; Edna, the wife of Judson Cleland, of Gibson, Iowa; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Armstrong is a democrat in his political views and on his party ticket was twice a candidate for the office but was defeated as the party is not a strong one in this section of the state. He is a Mason, belonging to Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, at Deep River. Inheriting the sterling characteristics of a long line of sturdy Scotch ancestry and endowed by nature with a good constitution, he early developed all the attributes which make the successful man. He has ever taken a deep interest in the progress and advancement of his home locality, feeling a just pride in what has been accomplished in the way of placing this section on a par with the older sections of the east.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 726-727