Alexander Armstrong, one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Carroll County, and a prominent and influential citizen of Pleasant Valley Township, is a native of Ireland, born in County Fermanagh, April 16, 1838. His father, Robert Armstrong, a Scotch-Irishman of the North of Ireland, died in his native country a few years since. Alexander Armstrong, the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining at home with his parents till his twentieth year. He then immigrated to America, going to Will County, Illinois, where a brother, Henry Armstrong, had preceded him. He came to America a poor boy, and is a fair example of what may be accomplished in this country by young men who will improve the opportunities offered to them. For five years Mr. Armstrong worked as a farm laborer, and with the money thus earned he purchased his first eighty acres of land, and by good judgment in later investments he added to his original purchase until he owned 880 acres of Illinois’ best land, and for many years he ranked among the prosperous and prominent farmers of Will County. He was united in marriage in Will County to Miss Sarah Rauworth, who was born in Yorkshire, England, but reared in Sheffield, England, and was a daughter of Benjamin Rauworth. She came to America with her father’s family, settling in Will County, Illinois. In 1863 he returned to England to attend to the settling of an estate, and while there was taken sick and died. The mother of Mrs. Armstrong is also deceased, but other members of the family are prominent citizens of Will County. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are the parents of seven children—Alice A., Henry, Jane E., Robert B., Martha Jane, Mary Jane and William R., the three eldest being students of Wheaton College, Illinois. Mr. Armstrong left Will County for Guthrie County, Iowa, with a view to investing in real estate, but before purchasing there he was induced to come to Carroll County, when his present property being for sale, and being pleased with the country, he decided to locate here, and at once bought 1,280 acres, paying for the same $20 per acre. He has made many improvements on his land, including the erection of his splendid residence on section 3, at a cost of about $7,000, which is without doubt the finest farm residence in the county. His farm now comprises 2,960 acres, and cost about $3,000, and the entire surroundings indicate the culture and refinement of the owner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

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