DARKE COUNTY OHIO - BIOS: ARMSTRONG, PETER (published 1900)
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A Biographical History of Darke County Ohio, published in
Chicago by the Lewis Publishing Company, 1900. p. 464-467


                  PETER ARMSTRONG

     It is with pleasure that the publishers of this volume are
able to present the life history of the gentleman whose name
appears above and to note the success which he has achieved and
the honorable methods he has follow in winning prosperity.  His
life has been in exemplification of what may be accomplished by
determined purpose and unfaltering energy, and in many respects
his history is well worthy of emulation.  Undeterred by the
difficulties and obstacles in his path he has advanced steadily
step by step until he is now found upon the plain of affluence,
enjoying the comforts and advantages which have come to him as
the reward of his well directed labors.
     The Armstrong family, of which he is a representative, is of
sturdy Scotch origin.  James Armstrong, the grandfather, was a
native of Scotland and emigrated to his country soon after the
struggle in which our forefathers secured national independence.
He settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, which at that time
was an almost unbroken wilderness, and in years of toil cleared a
farm, upon which he reared his family and spent his remaining
days, and honored and respected citizen of this community.  It
was upon that farm that John Armstrong first opened his eyes to
the light of day, in the year 1793.  There he remained until
1818, assisting his father in the work of cultivating and
improving the land, and attended the district schools of the
neighborhood.
     In the year mentioned he determined to try his fortune in
the more recently developed section of the county, and after a
long and tiresome journey through a wild region he arrived in
Darke county, Ohio, finding a mere hamlet where now stands the
beautiful and thriving city of Greenville.  There he sought and
found employment at his trade of carpentering, when he had
learned in the east.  Later he also engaged in the manufacture of
brick, carrying on that pursuit in connection with contracting
and building for a period of three years.  He then disposed of
his village interests and engaged in farming in Greenville
township, but in a short time he again returned to Greenville,
where he lived for about two years.  In 1833 he purchased eighty
acres of land in Jackson township.  At that early day the country
was covered with heavy forests and it was necessary for this
hardy pioneer to cut his own road through the woods, a distance
of three miles, in order to reach his land.  Such obstacles as
these, however, did not discourage him and serve now to
illustrate the sterling character and resolute purpose of the
pioneers.  What would now seem to be insurmountable obstacles
seemed but to serve as the impetus for renewed effort on the part
of those early settlers, who in the midst of the forest hewed out
their homesteads.  Upon his eight acres of land Mr. Armstrong
made a small clearing and erected a log cabin in which he lived
until 1856, when a frame house was built.  It is still standing,
and in this more modern abode the father passed away July 15,
1864.  He was one of the most prominent men in Darke county, who
not only ably performed the work of his farm, but also found time
to devote to public duties.  He was a man of strong mentality and
excellent education.  Soon after his arrival in Darke county he
took up the study of law, which well qualified him to discharge
the duties of justice of the peace, to which office he was
elected.  He was afterward chosen associate judge and for a
period of six years served in the capacity, filling the position
with marked ability and fidelity.  On the expiration of his term
he was again elected justice and held that office up to the time
of his death.  He also took a prominent part in township affairs
and served his fellow townsmen in all its offices.  In politics
he was first a Whig and later a Republican.  He was long a
faithful and consistent member of the Christian church,
contributing liberally to its support and doing all in his power
to promote its work, and during its early existence its meetings
were held at his home or in a beautiful grove on his land.
      Mr. Armstrong was twice married.  He first wedded a Miss
Vail, and by their union two children were born, one of whom,
Mrs. Fanny Douglass, a resident of Jackson township, is still
living.  For his second wife the father chose Miss Elston, a
daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Elston.  She was born in New
Jersey and came to Washington township with her people about
1820.  Nine children were born of their union, eight of whom
reached years of maturity: Thomas, now deceased; Peter, whose
name introduces this record; Sarah, deceased; Hugh, who resides
in German township; Elizabeth, who married Silas Hart and is
living in Darke county; John, who met death upon the battlefield
March 26, 1865; Mary Jane, widow of Daniel Dowler and a resident
of Washington township; and Catherine, wife of Augustus Stoner,
who resides on the old Armstrong homestead in Jackson township.
The mother of these children survived her husband several years,
passing away in April 1884, and thus the lives of two of Darke
county's honored pioneer people were ended, but they left behind
them the priceless heritage of a good name and the memory of
noble deeds.
     Peter Armstrong was born in Greenville township, November
21, 1831, and his early life was spent in the usual manner of
farmer lads of that period.  He pursued his education in the
distract school when it was in session and worked upon the home
farm during the summer months.  He remained with his parents
until he had reached the age of sixteen years, when he began to
earn his own livelihood by work in a saw-mill in Jackson
township.  He was there employed for nearly six years, and on the
expiration of that period was married.  In August, 1854, he
leased some land in Washington township, living there for a year
and a half, and in 1856 he purchased eighty acres - a portion of
his present farm - which comprises one hundred and thirty-one
acres.  The place was but partially cleared and somewhat
improved, a log house having been guilt.  This was his home for
some years, but as time passed he was enabled to add all the
comforts of civilization, and today he is recognized as one of
the leading, influential and prosperous agriculturists of Darke
county.  Where once stood the forest trees in their primeval
strength are not seen beautiful fields under a high state of
cultivation, and the primitive log cabin, with its mud-and-stick
chimney, has long since been replace by a modern and commodious
residence.  Good barns and other outbuildings provide shelter for
some years has been extensively engaged in stock dealing.  His
life has been one of marked industry and great labor has been
required to accomplish the changes which have been made, but his
marked enterprise was one of his leading characteristics and has
brought to him well merited success.
     The lady who has been to Mr. Armstrong a faithful companion
and helpmate on life's journey for nearly a half century was in
her maidenhood Miss Catherine Henning, daughter of Jacob and
Barbara Henning.  Her people came to Darke county from Montgomery
county, locating in the southeast corner of Washington township.
They had five children, of whom Mrs. Armstrong is the second.
The father died in 1841 and the mother in 1881.  The marriage of
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong occurred July 25, 1854, and has been
blessed with four children: David, a locomotive engineer on the
Big Four Railroad, now residing in East St. Louis; Sarah J., the
deceased wife of Andrew Bickel; Hugh S.; and Mary, the wife of
William Oukst [Onkst], who is living on the homestead farm.
     Mr. Armstrong gave his political support in early life to
the Whig party and on its dissolution joined the Republican
ranks.  His first ballot was cast for General Winfield Scott for
the presidency.  He has always taken an active interest in
township affairs, having served as assessor for five years, as
treasurer, as trustee for two years and as constable.  He has
also been a member of the board of education for fifteen years
and has ever discharged his duties with marked promptness and
fidelity.  Both he and his wife are consistent members of the
German Baptist church.  They have now reached the evening of
life, and their many friends join in the wish that they may live
to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary.  They have ever
been people of reliability, honesty and worth and enjoy the
respect of all with whom they have been associated.