Simon Elmer Armstrong (1854-1936)

ARMSTRONG, BALES, ALBAUGH, WATERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal February 24, 1936 (page 1)

SUDDEN DEATH OF S. E. ARMSTRONG

LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF NEVADA VICTIM OF HEAR ATTACK

S. E. Armstrong, 81, for nearly 80 years a continuous resident of Nevada, died at the family home at 618 E avenue, very suddenly Sunday at 11 a. m.

Mr. Armstrong had been up town in his usual health Saturday afternoon, did his shopping and returned home, although he complained some upon reaching home of feeling unwell.

He retired early and complained of some pains and early Sunday morning a physician was summoned. Examination indicated an impaired heart condition, and he passed away peacefully at 11:00, with his wife and other members of the family about him.

The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 at the Bishop Funeral home on Lincoln avenue and interment will be in the Nevada cemetery.

Mr. Armstrong, one of, if not the oldest continuous resident of the city, had a wide acquaintance over the county, especially among the older farmers with whom his work had kept him in close contact.

He was born in Franklin county, Indiana, August 17, 1854, Simon Elmer, second son of Ellis and Emmeline Armstrong. He was less than a year old when the family came west and settled in Nevada in the early part of 1855.

Within a very few years the Armstrong family home was established at the corner of Seventh street and E avenue and there he grew to manhood, and had his home continuously within a block of that spot during the remainder of his long life.

He was married to Miss Anna Bales, January 7, 1880, and to them two children were born, a son, Edward, and daughter, Mable, now Mrs. Mable Albaugh of near Cedar Rapids.

Shortly after their marriage they established their home on the southeast corner of the intersection of Seventh and E avenue, just across the street from the house in which he had grown to manhood. There they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on January 7, 1930.

Early in life Mr. Armstrong learned the trade of a harnessmaker and continued in that work during his long active life, until he was compelled to give up work because of impaired eyesight.

He was a man of cheerful, happy disposition, warmerly devoted to his wife, his children and grandchildren, and had many warm personal friendships in the community in which he had spent four score years and more.

He leaves besides his lifelong companion, his son and daughter, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Because of the failing health of the aged mother, the son Edward and wife had moved in with the parents and had assisted in the care of the home during the past few months.

They, with their son Ellis and wife, were present with the aged wife at the passing of the deceased.

He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Carrie M. Waters, who is at present with the family of her son, Dr. Carl P. Waters of Lewisville, Indiana.

In commenting upon the death of his long-time friend, Isaac Hawthorne, another pioneer citizen of Nevada today said "Sime and I were born within a few days of each other and came to Nevada the same year--1855. We both attended the first school organized in Nevada and were in the same class together."