MILLER CO, AR - JOHN D. ARMSTRONG - Bios From _The Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas_, Published 1890 by Goodspeed. Chicago, Nashville, and St. Louis: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1890 Submitted by: Becky Hargett ====================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing Free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ====================================================================== John D. ARMSTRONG, another of the prominent citizens of Miller County was born in Franklin County, Miss., July 27, 1849, the oldest of a family of seven children born to James and Martha Ann (TERRELL) ARMSTRONG, both of whom were natives of Franklin County, Miss. Their marriage occurred in their native county, and there they made their home until in December, 1850, then moving to Claiborne Parish, La., where the mother passed from life, in 1863, in her thirty-third year. After her death the father married Miss Ann POWELL, a native of Claiborne Parish, La., and in 1870 moved to Miller County, (then La Fayette County), where he died in 1874, leaving a widow, who still survives. He was very successful all his years, but being very fond of the comforts of life, he spent his money freely, and died comparatively poor. Early in the late war he enlisted from Louisiana, in the Confederate Infantry service, in which he remained until 1863, when on account of his wife's death, he was paroled, and returned home. Again joining his command, he was detailed as a miller and continued as such until the close of the war. He was a farmer all his life, and also worked at his trade as a miller and tanner, and during the season as a thresher. He and his first wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which body he acted in an official capacity for a number of years. In politics he always voted the Democratic ticket. Upon the mother's death in 1863, our subject, then a lad of fourteen years, took charge of the household affairs, acting as cook, general housekeeper and mother to his younger brothers and sisters until the close of the war. In the spring of 1866 he hired out to do farm work, in which occupation He continued until 1869, then he rented land, which he tilled on his own responsibility, and the next year moved on the place where he now lives. He first entered eighty acres of land situated in a wilderness of pine timber, and since the has added the balance of 800 acres, after having recently sold 680 acres; he has 200 acres under cultivation. He is also the owner of considerable valuable property in Texarkana, located in the best business parts of that city, consisting of one half square, on which is a splendid business building, and five unimproved lots scattered over the place. From the year 1883 to 1886 Mr. ARMSTRONG was engaged in the mill and timber business at Milton Switch, in connection with his farming operations, and got out considerable timber on contract for the Cotton Belt Railroad, but was obliged to give up this business on account of ill health, resulting from overwork and exposure. During this time he also carried on a general merchandise business. His wife, to whom he was married December 15, 1867, was formerly miss Margaret E. WARD. She was born November 15, 1851, and was a daughter of David C. WARD, of Claiborne Parish, La. He was born in Arkansas, and his wife in Mississippi, and both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. To the Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. ARMSTRONG have been born six children, all of whom are living, viz.: Laura T., Lula A., Jesse W., Mary I., Ada V. and Alga E. The take a deep interest in all religious work, both being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which body Mr. ARMSTRONG has served in different official capacities. He is now class leader and steward at Liberty campground. He is a Mason, and in politics is a stanch Democrat. Since coming to this State he has been very successful, and has accumulated considerable property, which is entirely the result of his own efforts, as he started out in life without means, his only capital being pluck and energy, backed by a determination to succeed. ======================================================================