William Armstrong - Christian County, Illinois

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Christian County Illinois

Hosted by Judy Rosella Edwards
A member of the Genealogy Trails Project.
We regret that we are not available to perform personal research for you.

Named after Christian County in Kentucky through the influence of emigrants from that county.

Established February 15, 1839 as Dane County (Laws, 1839, p. 104). Name changed to Christian County in 1840.

Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States. Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

WILLIAM ARMSTRONG is one of the large land-owners and wealthy farmers of Mosquito Township, and makes his home on section 30. His father, William Armstrong, Sr., was one of the early settlers of the county, and was born in Orange County, N. C., May 1, 1806.

His great-great-grandfather was born in Ireland and settled in North Carolina in Colonial days. The great-grandfather was born in 1736, and served in the Continental army during the whole of the Revolutionary War. He took part in several battles, being twice taken prisoner by the British. His son James was also born in North Carolina, and wedded Mary Allen, who was of English descent.

The father of our subject removed with his parents to Tennessee in 1812, where on arriving at man 's estate he wedded Martha Oldbain, a native of Virginia. Mr. Armstrong first visited Illinois in 1836, and entered land in Logan County. Returning the next year, he brought his family to this State and continued to live until 1865 in Sangamon County. At that time he located in Christian County, where he is still engaged in farming.

His first wife died in Tennessee, and in June, 1837, he married Statira Fickland, a native of Montgomery County, Ky. Mr. Armstrong has had ten children, of whom six are now living. John A. is a resident of Blue Mound, Ill.; James T. lives in Missouri; Ann M. is the wife of Mr. Housley, of Mosquito Township; William is our subject; George W. died in 1868 and lies buried in Grove City Cemetery [ed., probably Grove City Methodist Cemetery]; Daniel C. is a farmer of this township; Emma C., who died in 1872, was buried in Grove City Cemetery [ed., probably Grove City Methodist Cemetery]; Edwin A. died in infancy; and Leander, who was in the service during the late war, died in 1866, from disease contracted in the service. John A. and James T. were also in the army, the latter in the Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, and the former in the Third Illinois Cavalry.

The father was for four years Associate Judge of the County Court in Sangamon County. Since 1824, he has been a member of the Methodist Church. Though born in a slave-holding community, he was always opposed to the system, and for that reason removed to a free State. He was a stanch Union man during the war, was formerly a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its supporters.

The subject of this sketch started out to earn his own livelihood in 1868, and chose as his helpmate Miss Ann Rebecca Housley, their marriage being celebrated November 7, 1868. The lady was born in Ohio, and is of German descent. Six children have been born to this worthy couple, George W., Lewis C., Robert, Winona E., Harry S. and Jessie, who are all at home and have been educated in this county. Robert has also further pursued his studies for two years in Burkville College.

The farm now carried on by Mr. Armstrong comprises four hundred and forty-five acres of land. He was given a start in life by his father, but has added many acres to the property originally given him. He has a pleasant and commodious residence and has made many substantial additions to his farm.

Since becoming a voter, Mr. Armstrong has been identified with the Republican party, and though he takes an active part in politics is not an office-seeker. Socially, he is connected with the Masonic order, and his estimable wife is a member of the Christian Church. They enjoy the friendship and high regard of the entire community in which they live, and this is well deserved, for they are good neighbors and friendly and hospitable to one and all.