Suggested edit: ANDREW ARMSTRONG, one of the most respected pioneer settlers of Elk Run township was born Jan. 25, 1818, the son of Andrew and Hannah (Shaw) Armstrong. The father was born in Northumberland county, Penn., in 1783, and moved to Ohio with his parents in 1799, first settling at Georgetown, where they remained for about one year, when they removed to Middleton township and "squatted" on a piece of land in section twenty-six. Here he remained until the breaking out of the war of 1812, when he enlisted under Capt. William Faulke, serving under the command of William Henry Harrison He was with the army that cut a road from Ohio to the Maumee Valley. Two land warrants were given him by the government for his service during the war. He lived to be seventy-three years of age, and died a respected honored citizen. For several terms he was elected a trustee of the township. His parents were William and Elizabeth Armstrong. The former came to America from Ireland when quite young. Upon his arrival in this country he was sold for enough to pay his passage from Ireland. When he settled in Ohio it was not yet made a state. He "squatted" on a piece of land, ten acres of which he cleared, but the property was afterward taken from him when the land was opened for entry. Not to be discouraged he entered a quarter section of land where Clarkson now stands. Upon this he built a house upon what he thought to be his own land, but which proved to belong to another when the survey was made. He served in the Revolutionary war. Andrew Armstrong, the principal of this biographical sketch, learned to "read, write and cipher" in the log school-house before he reached his twelfth year, after which time his services were required at home on the farm. Elizabeth Bowman daughter of of Christian and Sarah (Walter) Bowman, became his wife in 1842. Mention of the latter family will be found elsewhere in this book. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong; They are: C. Bowman, Perry M., Melissa J., George W., Sarah E., Mary H., Henry A. and Frank Siegle. Mrs. Armstrong was born in 1820, on the homestead of her family. At the age of eighteen years Andrew Armstrong began life's battle for himself, at which time he was employed as a teamster driving a six horse team to Philadelphia, having continued in this business for twelve years, during which time he managed to save up a considerable amount of money. Mr. Armstrong bought 160 acres of land in Hancock county, Ohio. He loaned a man some money who kept a store in Elkton, and was afterward obliged to take the business in payment of the debt. He remained in the mercantile business for three years, at the expiration of which period his father died (in 1855), and Mr. Armstrong then removed to the farm previously occupied by his father. Having bought the other heir's property, he now owns 163 acres of the homestead in section 22, Elk Run township, to which he has since added some seventeen acres. This farm is under the highest state of cultivation, and is a source of great credit to its owner. From 1866 to 1872. Mr. Armstrong served as a county commissioner, and for six years as a justice of the peace; he is also a trustee of the township. He was one of the commissioners when the new court house was built, in 1871-72.
Source: History of the Upper Valley - Vol. II - Publ. Madison, Wisc. - Brant & Fuller - 1891 - Page 373
Contributor: Dave & Joyce Humphrey (46982348)