Cumberland County Pennsylvania Biographies
ARMSTRONG, James, (son of John Armstrong [1717-1795] and brother of John Armstrong, Jr., [1758-1843]), a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa., August 29, 1748; attended the Philadelphia Academy and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University); studied medicine in Dr. John Morgan’s School in Philadelphia and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1769; commenced the practice of medicine in Winchester, Frederick County, Va.; was a medical officer during the Revolutionary War; pursued medical studies in London, England, for three years; returned to Carlisle, Pa., in 1788; moved to Mifflin County, Pa., and practiced medicine there for twelve years; was appointed an associate judge; elected as Pro-Administration candidate to the Third Congress (March 4, 1793-March 3, 1795); was not a candidate for renomination in 1794; returned to Carlisle in 1796 and continued the practice of his profession; appointed as an associate judge of the Cumberland County Court and served from September 12, 1808, until his death in Carlisle, Pa., May 6, 1828; interment in the Old Carlisle Cemetery.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present; contributed by A. Newell)
ARMSTRONG, John, (father of James Armstrong and John Armstrong, Jr. [1758-1843]), a Delegate from Pennsylvania; born in Brookbor, County Fermanagh, Ireland, October 13, 1717; attended school in Ireland, and became a civil engineer; immigrated to the United States and settled in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa.; was presented a medal by the city of Philadelphia for destroying the Kittanning Indian towns, September 8, 1756; rendered distinguished service in the Continental Army, was commissioned a brigadier general in 1776, and served until April 4, 1777; appointed a major general of the Pennsylvania State Militia and served throughout the Revolutionary War, with the exception of the term of his congressional service; Member of the Continental Congress 1779-1780; died in Carlisle, Pa., March 9, 1795; interment in Old Carlisle Cemetery.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present; contributed by A. Newell)
ARMSTRONG, John, Jr., (son of John Armstrong [1717-1795] and brother of James Armstrong), a Delegate from Pennsylvania and a Senator from New York; born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa., November 25, 1758; attended Princeton College but left college to enter the Revolutionary Army; secretary of state of Pennsylvania 1783-1787; adjutant general for several years; Member of the Continental Congress 1787-1788; moved to Dutchess County, N.Y., in 1789 and settled near Lexington Manor; elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1801, caused by the resignation of John Laurance; reelected in 1801, and served from November 6, 1800, to February 5, 1802, when he resigned; was next appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1807, caused by the resignation of his successor, De Witt Clinton; subsequently elected to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1809, caused by the resignation of Theodorus Bailey, and served from February 25, 1804, until June 30, 1804, when he again resigned to enter the diplomatic service; Minister to France 1804-1810; also acted as Minister to Spain 1806; during the War of 1812 was commissioned brigadier general; Secretary of War in the Cabinet of President James Madison 1813-1814; engaged in literary pursuits; died in Red Hook, Dutchess County, N.Y., April 1, 1843; interment in Rhinebeck Cemetery, Rhinebeck, N.Y.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present; contributed by A. Newell)
William H. Thompson
"CARLISLE'S OLDEST CITIZEN 97 TOMORROW"
" WILLIAM H. THOMPSON TALKS OF CIVIL WAR"
"Carlisle's oldest citizen, William R. Thompson, prominent civil war veteran who fought four years for Uncle Sam in the sixties, will be 97 years old tomorrow. He and his aged wife, who is 78, reside with their daughter, Mrs. Emma Emlet at 42 East Penn Street. When visited by a Sentinel reporter, Mr. Thompson was found occupying a comfortable rocker and was in good spirits. He is in fairly good health, although his hearing and eyesight are impaired.
He has a quite clear memory, however, and seemed to delight in reminiscenses, especially as he related his experiences in the civil war.
LIVED SIMPLE LIFE
"Mr. Thompson said he attributed his longevity to the 'simple life,' and particularly to plain and substantial food. The veteran, now within three years of the century mark, said, 'Yes, I smoke and I have chewed tobacco since I was twelve years old.'
"Mr. Thompson is able to walk about the house and yard and is able to attend the annual dinner to veterans given by the Kiwanis club. 'I certainly enjoy these dinners,' he said.
BORN IN ENGLAND
"Mr. Thompson was born in England and was 32 years old when he came to America. He enlisted in the civil war in New York City in the Third New York (Horn's) Battery and in Carlisle subsequently enlisted in the 17th Calvary in command of Captain Joe Sponsler. After the war he resided in Adams County and by trade was a mason. He was wounded in Pickett's charge at Gettysburg and was in the battle of the Wilderness, Antietam, first and second Bull Run and Spottsylvania Court House. 'I fought as hard as I could,' he said when talking of his service in battle. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Brethren church.
He has two sons, Robert Thompson, of Gettysburg, and Harry Thompson, of near that town.
"He lived in Adams County for about 40 years but for thirteen years has been a citizen of Carlisle. He is a member of Captain Colwell Post, 201, G. A. R. of Carlisle and has great admiration for his friend, the Post Commander. Comrade John D. Hemminger." (1)
(1) "The Evening Sentinel" (Carlisle, PA.), April 13, 1926
"WILLIAM R. THOMPSON'
"William R. Thompson, native of Northampshire, England, great grandfather of Grover Thompson, 570 Hillcrest Place, and grandfather of Robert Thompson, Aspers, served with the Third New York Independent Battery for three years and ten months. He arrived in the States in 1862 and enlisted immediately thereafter. Thompson who was wounded in Pickett's Charge, fought in the Battle of Gettysburg, Antietam, Petersburg, Wilderness and other engagements. He was a member of the Captain Colwell Post Number 201, G. A. R., of Carlisle." (2)
(2) "The Gettysburg Compiler", July, 1963