Biography - Isaac Q. Armstrong
ISAAC Q. ARMSTRONG, a farmer, residing on section 18, Knox township, is the
subject of this biographical sketch, and is noteworthy as being a substantial
citizen, and successful in his chosen field of labor. His farm is in a good
state of cultivation, highly improved and supplied with a first-class set of
farm buildings, furnished with all modern conveniences. The farm is well stocked
with blooded animals, and nothing is lacking to complete and perfect his
possessions. Mr. Armstrong was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, June 21,
1831, and his father, Isaac Armstrong, Sr., was also born in Adams County, April
6, 1797. The grandfather of our subject also bore the Christian name of Isaac,
and was a resident of the same county as the son and grandson at the time of his
death. He was born of English progenitors, but was of American adoption.
The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native county, and was married
there to Miss Mary Campbell. She was born in Adams County in 1808, and was of
Scotch-Irish ancestry. In 1835 he removed to Franklin County, Pennsylvania and
there rented land. He lived there 19 years, and in 1854, accompanied by his wife
and eight children, emigrated to Illinois. They started on the 4th day of May
with horses, covered wagons and a rockaway carriage, and drove overland to their
destination. They landed in Knoxville, June 12, where the father rented a house
for his family in the village, and started out to find a suitable and permanent
location. He purchased 307 acres on section 18, Knox Township. There was a log
house and stable on it, and the land was partly under cultivation; the family
lived in the cabin for a few years, then erected a frame house and added other
improvements. He died on this place in June 1878, and his wife in May, 1879.
Eight children were born to Isaac Armstrong; Alexander lives in Nemaha County,
Nebraska; Isaac, of whom we write; James, who lives in Knox Township; Agnes,
whose home is in Orange Township; Jane, wife of D. H. Stewart, lives in
Jefferson County, Iowa; Rebecca, wife of Wilson Wood, lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming
territory; Thomas resides on the old homestead in Knox Township; Mary is the
wife of Webb Sipherd, and lives in Polk County, Nebraska.
The subject of this history was but four years of age when he removed to
Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood there, and educated in the
district schools. He came to Illinois with his parents, and remained with them
until his marriage in 1862. At that time he united with Margaret Saddler [the
Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists a Isaac D. Armstrong marrying a Margret
A. Sadler in Knox County on December 25, 1862], who was born in Adams County,
Pennsylvania. Eighteen months afterward she died, leaving one child, a son named
Harry. His second marriage was contracted November 13, 1866, with Elizabeth
Rogers [the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists a Isaac Armstrong marrying a
Elizabeth Rogers in Knox County on November 13, 1866]. She was born in Trumbull
County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Phillips) Rogers, the
father a native of Connecticut and her mother of England. One child was the
result of this latter union, a daughter named Lottie. At the time of marriage,
they settled on that part of their homestead which Mr. Armstrong now wons and
occupies.
In the spring of 1865, Mr. Armstrong, with others, engaged in the employ of the
Government, and went South to Chattanooga and to different parts of East
Tennessee. There he continued until the close of the war. At the present time he
is engaged in the joint business of farming and stock-raising. Mr. Armstrong is
a valued member of the community, an alert thinker, and wide-awake to the
political situation. He is a Republican in politics, and warmly supports that
party in sentiment and vote. His wife is an enrolled member of the Presbyterian
Church and he is liberal in religious sentiment, though connected with no
special organization.
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 674.
