Beckham County, OK - Obits: Joseph Armstrong, 1913
30 July 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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ARMSTRONG, JOSEPH
(19 June 1913, Thursday, Erick Altruist, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
On last Thursday, June 12, 1913, at about 9:30 p.m. Mr. Joseph Armstrong
of Erick was stricken with a fatal attack of heart failure and to the very
large circle of his friends the announcement of his death came as a great
shock, although he had been in a poor state of health for several weeks,
his indomitable will had urged him to keep about his affairs until two or
three days before the end came, and it was not generally known that he was
seriously ill.
Mr. Armstrong was born at Montreal, Canada, in 1841 and early in life was
left an orphan.  In conformity with the laws of his country Mr. Armstrong
was bound for the purpose of learning the trade to be a shoemaker at
Montreal whom he served for two years, but on account of his bondmaster's
cruelty the orphan boy ran away and landed at New York a stranger in a
strange land, at the age of 14 years and after that time he was until the
day of his death conspicious (sic) for his fidelity to the country of his
adoption, although he never had a discrediting word to utter concerning
Canada or her people.  He served through the civil war as a federal
soldier and it was a matter of frequent comment among those who knew him
that he did not receive a pension.  Although he could have easily
stretched his imagination to the point where he might have convinced
himself that he was deserving of one, it is said that he refused to
cooperate with pension attorneys who argued with him that he was eligible
and should claim a pension and thus is revealed additional evidence of his
sterling independence.
About forty years ago Mr. Armstrong was married to Mrs. Charity E. Riley
and to them was born one son, Mr. Burton H. Armstrong, who is a respected
citizen of this vicinity.  Early in life Mr. Armstrong became a member of
the Christian church and until his death he continued adherent to that
faith.
The writer has been quite intimately acquainted with Uncle Joe, (as he was
affectionately called,) for several years and is pleased to state that Mr.
Armstrong is one among very few men of his acquaintance of whom he has,
during his career as an editor or in private life, never heard a syllable
uttered that might be construed as to be in the slightest degree to the
discredit of Mr. Armstrong and scores of other men who were intimately
acquainted with our esteemed departed friend can, we believe testify
similarly.
Funeral services were held at the Christian Church at 10 o'clock Sunday
morning, June 15, under the auspices of the Oddfellows fraternity of which
organization he was a faithful member.  Rev. James L. Haddock of Erick, a
evangelist of national reputation, conducted the funeral services and
pronounced a beautiful eulogy concerning his beloved friends.  Interment
was made in Erick Cemetery.
Mr. Armstrong is survived by his widow, his son, Burton H. Armstrong, his
daughter-in-law Mrs. Alice Riley of Erick and his step daughter, whom he
loved as his own, Mrs. John Stevens of Melrose, New Mexico, besides
numerous grandchildren and others not so near akin, all of whom have the
heartfelt sympathy of the people of this community.