Archibald Armstrong

ARMSTRONG, LIPTON

Posted By: Debbie Alvarado (email)
Date: 1/23/2003 at 22:02:28

Obituary for Archibald Armstrong 1840-1920

Copied from the Grinnell Herald Newspaper

After only a few days of illness another old and respected citizen of Chester township was called by death.
Archibald Armstrong was born April 12, 1840 in County Fermanaugh, Ireland. With his parents he emigrated to Canada in 1849, settling for a short time in the province of Ontario. From there they moved to a farm in Rock Island County in Illinois where he grew to manhood.
In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Co. A. 37th Illinois Volunteer Inf. and served his country for three and half years. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove Arkansas.
Having completed his service and recieved an honorable discharge, he settled on a farm in Bowling Green township Rock Island County, Illionis. He remained here for four years.
He was united in marriage to Mary Lipton Dec. 17th 1868. To this union were born two sons, Thomas Alvin and William who died in infancy. Mrs. Armstrong passed away in Jan. 1872. On Feb. 12, 1895, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Ella A. Lewis Webster. To them was born one son Foster Lewis Armstrong.
Mrs. Armstrong died Oct. 10, 1903.
In 1875 Mr. Armstrong moved to a farm in Chester township where he has lived until death called, May 22 Saturday when God said " Archie, it is enough; come up higher". and the long journey was ended and the traveler had reached home.
In the death of Mr. Armstrong, Chester has lost a most excellent and valuable citizen. He was public spirited and interested himself in everything that meant a better society. For many years he served as secretary of the School Board and was also a township trustee.
In 1877 he united with the Congregational Church at Chester Center, to which he gave loyal support..
Special mention should be made of his untiring interest in his old soldier comrades and Memorial Day was to him a Holy Day. He made it his special duty to see that all graves of his soldier friends were properly decorated and honored on Memorial Day.
Mr. Armstrong leaves to mourn his death two sons, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild, two brothers, Foster of Illinois and John of Kansas and one sister living in Kansas. Both brothers were in attendance at the funeral, these with a host of neighbors and friends mourn the loss of a true and faithful friend.

The funeral services were conducted from the home where he had lived for 45 years.
Rev. Mr. Wissler of Gilbert, Iowa a former pastor and an old friend of the family, conducted the services, assisted by Rev. Mr. Smith of Chester Center, and the body was laid to rest in the Chester Cemetery.
A specially impressive feature of the funeral was the sounding of "Taps" at the grave by Russell George.