BIOS: Miscellaneous, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Linda Russell Lewis Copyright 1997. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ ALEXANDER R. ARMSTRONG Was born in Cumberland township, Greene county, Pa., Nov. 12, 1843, of parents, Alfred and Helen M. (Davidson) Armstrong, neither of whom are living. Nancy E. Huston became his wife June 26, 1868 in this county. She was born there May 23, 1841, of parents John and Hannah (Sprout) Huston, both of whom have gone to their reward. Of this union were born four children, Samuel H., Jessie D., Lizzie M. and Winfield S. Comrade Armstrong was engaged in farming at the time of his enlistment which occurred Aug. 22, 1862, at Washington, Pa. He was enrolled as a private in Co. D, 22 Pa. Cav. He was detailed in 1864 as Ord. for Gen. Tyler. Prior to this he had been detailed as Ord. for Col. Hagans for about six weeks. He was honourably discharged May 24, 1865, at New Creek, W. Va., having taken part in the battles of Cedar Creek, South Branch, Winchester, Curnstown, Martinsburg, 2d Cedar Creek, 2d Winchester and several others. His wife's grandfather, Samuel Huston, served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Comrade Armstrong is a member of Cumberland Post, 265, in which he serves as CHap.; his occupation is that of a farmer and his address is Carmichaels, Pa. ANDREW J. CUNNINGHAM Was born in Fayette county, Pa., June 28, 1844, and was a son of James and Eliza (Martin) Cunningham, no longer living. Rachel Williams became his companion on life's journey Jan. 25, 1866, in Masontown, Pa. She was born in Fayette county, Pa., Aug. 31, 1849, and was a daughter of John P. and Sarah T. (Simington) Williams, parents both deceased. Theoffspring of this marriage is twelve children, John H., Mattie V., Hugh G. dec., Robert T., Wm. N., Gussie E., Frank H., Johanna F., Myrtle E., Andrew J., Emma W. and Charles G. Being a loyal and ardent supporter of the Union cause, our subject was enrolled as a private in Co. L, 2d W. Va. V.I. He was 18 years old when he was mustered into service Aug. 31, 1862, at Wheeling, W. Va. March, 1863, he was wounded at Charleston, and was caref for at that place two months. In July, 1864, he was confined in hospital at Gallipolis O., three months with chills and fever and was then transferred to Grafton, W. Va., three weeks. During his first year of service he was frequently detailed as Ord. He took active part in the battles of Nashville, 2st and 2d; Antietam, South Mt., Lynchburg, New market, Cedar Creek, Piedmont and several skirmishes. He was granted his honorable discharge June 29, 1865, at Grafton, W. Va. His brothers, John and Henry, served in the late war; the former in Co. A, 1st W. Va. V. I.; the latter in Bat. K, 112th Pa. II. A., died in Lincoln hospital. His father served in the war of 1812; his wife's great-grandfather, Theopolis Phillips, was a Col. in the Revolutionary War; her great-uncle, John Phillips, was a Capt. during the war of 1812. Comrade Cunningham is a member of Thomas Miller Post and U. V. L.; he is honored with the office of general inspector of the state for the latter; he is a distiller and a resident of Masontown, Pa. JOHNSTON REED Was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1841, and has always lived in this county. His father, David Reed, is still spared, but his mother, Nancy (Vantine), is deceased. The lady who he chose for a helpmate through life was Sarah Garwin, and they were married in New Mexico, Sept. 31, 1885. His wife was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1844, and passed to her reward in New Mexico Sept. 10, 1888. Her parents, Marvin and Elenore (Vannosdale) Garwin, are also deceased. Comrade Reed underwent the hardships and privations of a soldier's life and was a brave and true defender of his country. He was 20 years old when he enlisted from Freeport, Pa., Sept. 10, 1861, as a private in Co. F, 78th Pa. V. I. He was honorably discharged at Kittanning, Pa., Nov. 4, 1864, and re-enlisted at Pittsburg, Pa., June 1, 1866, in Co. E, 2d Batl, 19th U.S. I. While in service he particiapted in the battles of his regiment. He was again discharged at Little Rock Ark., June 1, 1869. He re-enlisted in Co. E, 9th Inft., March 11, 1870, and was again discharged March 11, 1875. April 1875, he was again enrolled in Co. K, 5th U.S.I., and was honorably discharged April 7, 1880. He again enslisted in Co. F, 13th U.S.I., served till May 6, 1888, when he was transferred by order of War Dept. to Co. D, 10th U.S.I., and was granted his final honorable discharge Dec. 20, 1888, on surgeon's certificate of disability. During his service in the regular army, he was promoted to Corp., Sergt., and later transferred to messenger district Hd. Qtrs. at Santa Fe, N.M. His brother Willilam served in 6th Pa. II.A. Comrade Reed is a member of Weaver Post, No. 32, in which he is O.D.; he is an invalid and he resides at Ingleside, Pa. BASIL WHITE Was born in Green county, Pa., Jan. 5, 1829, of parents, Isaac and Jane (Shriver) White, deceased. He was happily married Dec. 16, 1849, in his native county to Mary Fox, who was born in this county May 22, 1829. Her parents, now deceased, were Peter and Mary (Delaney) Fox. The record of their children are as follows: Dennis, dec., Sarah, dec., Mary J., dec., Pernina, dec., Elizabeth and Little. At the age of 33 years our subject enlisted as a private in Co. K, 7th W. Va., V.I., Nov. 1, 1861, and served in defence of his country. He had previously been engaged in farming. He was promoted to Corp. and exhibited the splendid courage of the brave soldier at the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and several others. He suffered from chronic diarrhea and was treated in Emery hospital, Washington, D.C., one month, and Ft. Schuyler, N.Y., three months. In the spring of 1864 he was transferred to Co. C, 7th W. Va. V.I., and was honorably discharged Sept. 23, 1864, re-enlisting same month as 2d Lieut. of Co. G, 41st U.S.C.T. In 1864he was detailed as Q.M. two and half months. He was honorably discharged May 21, 1865, at Petersburg. His father served as Corp. in Co. K, 7th W. Va. Inf.; his half-brothers, Hiram and William, served in the late war in W. Va. Regts. Comrade White is a member of Edward W. Gay Post, No. 312, and his address is Cummings, Pa.