Charles Elmer Armstrong (1873-1944)

ARMSTRONG, TWAMLEY, TWAMLY, MURPHY, MORAN, BAIRD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/30/2016 at 10:46:06

From Nevada Evening Journal November 1944

Death Writes "30" to Life of Editor Chas. E. Armstrong

Death has written "30" to the journalistic career of Chas. E. Armstrong, 71, native son of Nevada, managing editor of the Nevada Evening Journal for the past 42 years, and one of best love and widely known newspaper men in Central Iowa.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock at Central Presbyterian church with the Reverend James D. Ransom, pastor of the church officiating assisted by Dr. James O. Simon of Memorial Lutheran church, friend of the deceased for many years. Committal will be in the family lot in the Nevada Cemetery.

Chas. E. Armstrong, affectionately known as "Charley" to the Nevada Evening Journal family and his many other friends, died at his home, 117 J Ave., Nevada, Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. Death was due to heart complications from which he had been a sufferer for the past two years.

Despite the fact he had been in noticeably failing health for several months, he had been down at his desk in the editorial office almost daily until four weeks ago, when physical weakness kept him confined to his bed. Even then his interest in the publication which he had served so faithfully and efficiently for forty-two years, continued to be the dominant thought in his mind.

Continued His Interest

Despite his growing weakness and a personal conviction that his "day's work was done" he kept informed almost to the last as to the news happening of Nevada and Story county, and in the department of the paper of which he had always been proud--the world coverage of the International News Service.

Always interested in the political affairs of the county, state and nation, one of his last acts was to cast his ballot in the general election of November 17 by absent voter's ballot.

In order to restore failing health and strength that he might once more return to the work he loved and to the association of those with whom he loved to labor, all that skilled medical care could do, was done for him.

But all that, augmented by the very devoted care of his wife, proved unavailing, and he passed into eternal sleep on Armistice Day morning surrounded by the members of his immediate family circle, his wife of twenty-seven years and his only brother, Glen Armstrong and wife of this city.

Born in Nevada

Born in Nevada on October 29, 1873, he celebrated his seventy-first birthday just two weeks ago. He attended the Nevada schools as a boy through the grades and high school and early developed a love for journalistic work and a talent for writing.

At Zearing and Roland

From 1891 to 1895 he was associated with his father in the publication of the "Zearing Enterprise", weekly paper published at Zearing. During the period from 1895 to 1901 he was the owner and publisher of the "Roland Record" at Roland, Iowa.

Returning to Nevada in 1901 he worked the following year for E. C. Button in his general store.

Came to Journal

Mr. Armstrong came to the Nevada Evening Journal as its Managing Editor on August 5, 1902 and continued in that capacity until his death. The Journal, which had started April 5, 1895 as a weekly publication and was then located in the C. A. Batman building had become a semi-weekly. In 1906 along with the rest of the Journal staff he was happy to move into the new building, built by the publishers O. J. and G. A. Benjamin.

He was married on April 14, 1917 to Mrs. Mae Twamly, news reporter on the Journal and that same fall they purchased the home at 117 J Avenue.

Watched Paper Grow

During his years as Managing Editor upon the Nevada Evening Journal, Charley had watched it grow from a semi-weekly to a Tri-weekly and labor to a Daily and his journalistic stride marched forward with it. His efforts were always directed to a quick and accurate dissiminiation of news. He was always fair minded in his judgments even in reporting wrong doing and his news policy was of the constructive and non sensational order.

Work for Community Good

Mr. Armstrong was ever ready to use his journalistic ability in the promotion of activities for the good of the community and many projects during the past 40 years which have proven most worthwhile could be credited to his interested promotional activities. He was a member of the Nevada City Council in 1927 and'28, being elected to the body in April of 1927 and serving two years. During his tenure as a member of the council he was the purchasing agent for the city when the City Hall was equipped with new furniture and was active in the first heavy graveling of the streets of Nevada. During his term of office he was faithful in his attendance and his counsels were always heeded because of the practical wisdom they contained.

Mr. Armstrong, whose forebears were were prominent Story county pioneers and whose 53 years in journalistic work was all spent in Story county, was familiar with much of the early history of Nevada and the county. Gifted with a excellent memory, his mind was a veritable warehouse local history, both of events that happened as time went on and also of people and families and their families. His acquaintance in northern and eastern Story county was especially wide and him many longtime friendships over the county and in Nevada were a matter of happiness to him.

His Father a Printer

Mr. Armstrong was the eldest in the family of eight children born to William Ellis Armstrong and to Evaline Murphy Armstrong. His father worked as printer upon the first paper to printed in Nevada hence he was "exposed" to journalism at an early age. While Charles E. was born in cottage on the Otis Briggs farm which stood where the Mrs. J. G. Dutton residence now stands, the family moved later to a farm in the Johnson's Grove neighborhood in Richland township, which was owned by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Murphy. The latter has come to Story county from Indiana in a covered wagon in 1855 and had entered land in Richland township.

Forebears were Pioneers

His father's parents were also Story county pioneers, locating where in 1854. Both his Grandfather Murphy and his Grandfather Armstrong were merchants in Nevada when the business district was around the south park. The former, a harness maker of skill, who kept six or eight men employed in his "factory" was located on the present Nellie Vinge corner, and the latter, who kept a hardware store was located on block south on the former Batman corner.

A Family of eight Children

Of the family of eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Armstrong, Charley's surviving brother Glen was the youngest. His brother Frank was killed while working on a farm near Roland many years ago. His sister Leona Armstrong, who passed away a number of years ago, and his brother, Henry Armstrong, who died about two years ago were both buried from the Armstrong home on J Avenue. Other children in the family had passed away in infancy.

Mr. Armstrong was a member of the Samson Lodge No. 77, Knights of Pythias for 41 years, having joined the local lodge in 1903 and was at one time its commander. When Samson Lodge abandoned a number of years ago he joined the State at Large Lodge, thereby continuing his membership in good standing until his death.

He was a charter member of the Nevada Community Club and also of the Commercial Club which was its predecessor by a few years.

Last Easter Mr. Armstrong became a member of Central Presbyterian church by letter from Memorial Lutheran church where he had been baptized as a child.

Was Great Reader

Mr. Armstrong was a great reader and until failing eyesight prohibited it, his evenings for the past several years were most frequently spent in his home, where, with some good book or magazine in hand, and in his favorite easy chair, he enjoyed many an evening hour.

He is survived by his devoted wife, by his son Tom who is a Lieutenant in the Los Angeles, California police department, unable to be here at this time, and by his brother, Glen Armstrong of 1237 Seventh street.

He is also survived by his aunts, Mrs. Margaret Moran, 82, of 312 K avenue and Mrs. Wilda Baird, 86, of Spencer, Iowa, and other relatives. He was nephew also, of the late Rose Murphy, long-time prominent business woman of this city.

Charley's forty-two years as Managing Editor have made his association with the Nevada Evening Journal force a very close and endearing one. This "family" mourns the loss of a beloved associate and very definitely shares in the grief of his wife and other relatives and his legion of friends in the passing from the home and community of this very outstanding citizen.