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 <bhargett@cityscape.net>
======================================================================
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.
======================================================================