BIO: Robert ARMSTRONG, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ ROBERT ARMSTRONG. Industry, frugality, and honesty make an excellent foundation for success in life, and the subject of this brief biography, a prosperous citizen of Bellefonte, Centre county, has shown that he possesses in a high degree all of these desirable characteristics. Like many of the leading citizens of the county, he is of Irish stock, having been born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in July, 1839. John and Jane (Mullen) Armstrong, parents of our subject, were both natives of that locality and passed their lives there, the father being by occupation a farmer. Neither lived to an advanced age. Of their three sons, our subject was the eldest. John and James, the younger members of the trio, are still living in Ireland, and are engaged in agricultural pursuits. As a boy our subject worked upon his father's farm, at the same time attending the schools of a neighboring town. His desire to come to America was not fulfilled until 1867, when he crossed the ocean and speedily found employment and established his home at Bellefonte. Faithful and diligent in the discharge of any work undertaken, he has won the confidence of all with whom he had any dealings. On June 1, 1877, he took charge of the gas works for the Bellefonte Steam Heat and Light Co., and every day for more than nineteen years he has been at his post of duty. A goodly share of prosperity has rewarded his well-directed efforts, and he owns some valuable property. In 1881, Mr. Armstrong married Miss Sarah Clark, also a native of Ireland, born in 1844, and their home is made bright by three children, John, Walter and Jennie. A typical Irishman, our subject's warm heart and alert mind bring 492 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. him into sympathy with all phases of progress in his adopted country. In religious faith he inclines toward the Episcopal Church.