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Yuma County Pioneers -

Franklin Armstrong

, Wray
WILLIAM ARMSTRONG - father of Franklin

In 1850 Morgan County, Indiana, William Armstrong is farming, 60 born in Virginia. Sarah is 55, George C. 22, F. M. 10, Robert 18, W. P, 13, Diane 10, and Margaret A. 7.

William is in Dallas, Texas in 1860, 64, with daughters Dianna 20 and Margaret 18.
He's in Dallas in 1870, too, 76, with son W. P. 33 and his family.
ANNA AUGUSTA PARKER Armstrong, Anna A. born 6 April 1839, Humphreys County, Tennessee; d. October 8, 1891, Garland, Dallas County, TX; m. WILLIAM P. ARMSTRONG, October 29 1859. Anna A. Armstrong 1839-1891 is buried in Garland, Texas # 58704284.


1881 Dallas, Texas
1892 Dallas County, Texas History



William Armstrong is in Allen County, Kansas, in 1885, 91 widowed, born in Virginia.
William died March 26, 1885, buried in Allen County, # 15673936.

JOHN - brother of Franklin
John A. Armstrong 1825-1904 is buried in Allen County, # 14872877, with Julia E. 182601902.
He was in Morgan County, Indiana in 1860, and in Kansas in 1870 and 1880.
One daughter might be the Sarah L. Holcomb 1850-1937 buried in Rapid City, South Dakota # 35582624.
WILLIAM - brother of Franklin
Mrs. Mary G. Armstrong applied for a pension for William P. Armstrong, who died March 3, 1908. They were married September 12, 1892 in Dallas.

In 1900 Garland, Texas, William is farming, born April 1840 in Virginia, married eight years to Mary January 1839 Louisiaina, with Ryan B. 3 and Anniee 2.
William P. Armstrong, 1833-1908 is buried in Snyder, Texs 3 46200645, wtih Mary 1858-1943.

Martha Jane Armstrong married George Richard Canatsey on September 15, 1842 in Morgan County, Indiana.
They're in Allen County, Kansas in 1880, George 59 born in Kentucky, Martha 55 Virginia, Frank 19, Walter 17, Edgar 13, all three born in Indiana.
1888 Allen County "Mrs. Martha Canatsey started Tuesday to Morgan county, Indiana where she will spend the summer with rela tives."
Martha 1824-1905 is buried in Allen County # 54202077.
"Mrs. M. J. Spencer (Canatsey) one of the old residents of Iola, passed away yesterday, January 18, 1905, at 3:45 p.m. at her home 621 south Buckeye street. At the time of her death Mrs. Spencer was 80 years old. Her death was due to heart failure and old age.
Mrs. Spencer was born June 14, 1824 [Tombstone shows 18 Dec 1824] in West Virginia and came to Iola in 1880 and has since made this her home. In 1842 she married Mr. Canatsey at Morganville, Indiana, who subsequently died. She lost her first husband and in 1892 married Mr. Spencer who died in Iola several years ago.
Eleven children were born as a result of her first marriage and ten of these are living. Will now lives at Washington, D.C., A. J. at Bartonville, Indiana, George C. at Franklin, Indiana, P. W. at Mound City, Charley M., at St. Louis, Mrs. Jane Caughron, 604 north Jefferson, Iola, A. S., St. Louis, Frank S., 524 south Sycamore, Iola, alter, 623 south Buckeye, Iola, Ed J., Hutchinson, Kansas. The three children living in town, and P. W. Canatsey of Blue Mound, and Ed J. Canatsey, of Hutchinson, were at her bedside at the time of her death. The others were unable to be here."


(Robert Jacob Armstrong 1833-1904 is buried in Morgan County # 53583805 - son of William and Nancy E. Armstrong.
Diana Francis Nelson Coldwell, daughter of William Armstrong and Sarah Smith, is buried in Rowlett Texas 1839-1917 # 10819059, with husband William B. Nelson 1822-1910.
Margaret Mallabone 1843-1894 is also buried in Rowlett # 10817936)
FRANKLIN

Franklin Armstrong and Mary A. "Boles" married in Morgan County, Indiana March 13, 1851.

In 1856 Madison County, Iowa, Franklin is 25, Mary 23, Sarah 3, and Emaly 1.

In 1860 Madison County, Franklin Armstrong is 30, farming, with Mary 28, Sarah A. 7, Martha E. 5, and Wm. C. 3.
Franklin registered for the civil war in Monroe, Madison County on July 1, 1863.

In 1870 Union County, Iowa F. is 39, Mary 37, Sarah 17, Wm. C. 13, Franklin 8, Harvey 6, Augusta 4, and "Halda" 2.

Sarah Ann Armstrong married George Cooper in Union County on December 13, 1874.

The Union County history implies that Sarah had died before it was written in the 1880's.

In 1880 Union County, F. Armstrong 49, is widowed, George H. is 16 J Cora A. 14, Huldah 13, and Flora 9.
Frank's obituary said that Mary died in 1877.


Flora Armstrong, age 16, died February 1, 1889 in Dodge Township, Union County.

Biographical and Historical Record Of Ringgold and Union Counties, Iowa, page 580
Franklin Armstrong, one of the practical farmers of Dodge Township, living on section 28, is a native of Augusta County, born July 4, 1830, a son of William Armstrong who is now living in Kansas.
Our subject accompanied his parents to Morgan County, Indiana, in 1842, and there he attended school in the rude log-cabin school-house of his neighborhood with its slab seats, stick and mud chimney and puncheon floor, and in this building he received the rudiments of an education.
He was married in 1851 to Miss Mary A. Bowels, a daughter of John Bowles, deceased, and of the 10 children born to them six are still living - William, Frank, Harvey, Augusta, Hulda and Flora. They have a grandchild named Maggie living with them, whom they have adopted.
In the spring of 1855 Mr. Armstrong removed from Indiana with his family to Madison County, Iowa. In 1858 he went to Arkansas, returning to Iowa a year and a half later, and in 1865 came to Union County. He went to Texas in the fall of 1875, returning to Union County in the spring of 1878, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was reared a farmer and has always followed that avocation, in which he has met with great success, and is now the owner of 240 acres of choice land where he resides.
He is one of the public spirited citizens of Dodge Township, and served his township effectively as trustee and school treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Frank (Franklin) Armstrong (b 7 July 1830 or 1831 at Augusta County, VA- d. 25 Mar, 1910 Wray, Yuma, CO) m Polly Ann Bowles in Indiana 1854 (approx) (d-1877) Children that I know of were:
George Harvey Armstrong (born 14 Jul 1863. Winterset, Iowa, died 26 Sept. 1926, Wray, Colorado) m. Hanna Whyte Children: Anna, Effie, & Myrtle
Hulda D. Armstrong ( 27 Oct. 1868 Union Co, Iowa - d 31 Mar 1900 Wray, Yuma, CO) m. George Epperson
Franklin Armstrong, Jr. (?) was in Montana in 1910
Cora Augusta Armstrong (1865) m. Whallon was in Chandler, OK in 1910
(Cora A. Armstrong, 18, married J.R. Marley, 22, in Union County Iowa on January 1, 1884.
In 1900 Lincoln County, Oklahoma, she's just married to Charles Whallon, 42, born in Indiana. Hattie Marley is 15, bon in Iowa, Dillon 13 in Washington, Kattie 11 in Kansas. Four Whallon kids were born in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Charles W. Whallon 1858-1931 is buried in Chandler, Oklahoma # 51722462.
"Charles W. Whallon was born in Terre Haute, In. in 1858 to Cornelius and Sarah Harr Whallon. He married Ella Lints. then Adaline Van Ness who died in childbirth in 1894. Then Cora Armstrong who died in 1923. Then Maud Wallace Watts . Mr. Whallon had 9 biological children, one 3 months after he died . His children with Adaline were; Dovie, Ethel (m),Eva Mae, and Cornelius (nealy)----With Cora; Frank Henry and Sarah Ann (Annie)----With Maud : Charles Wesley Whallon-Cole (adopted to Coles) and Mary Lou, and Jimmie Dale Whallon-Schmitt (adopted to Dotter,then Schmitt). The adoptions occured after Mr. Whallon died, and Maud fell very ill.")


Flora Armstrong (1870) unknown where she was. Probably not living in 1910
Any information about their families would be appreciated.
Thanks--Sally Watkins rdswatkins@msn.com


Franklin Armstrong timber-claimed a quarter in 23, 1N 43W in 1898. This was about five miles southeast of Wray.
April 1898 "James Jordan is building a new house for Frank Armstrong two miles east :

October 1909 "Uncle Frank Armstrong, who was taken suddenly ill the latter part of last week, is still very sick, he showing no improvement. He is at the home of his son, Harve Armstrong."

March 25, 1910 Wray
Frank 1830-1910 is buried in Wray, # 16984210.

FRANK,Jr

March 1904 "Frank Armstrong, son of Uncle Frank, has bought the old Wolf place from Gene Hitchings and will make Yuma County his future home."

February 17, 1905

In 1910 Fergus County, Montana, Frank is a ranch hand for the Lipke family, 49, born in Iowa.

Possibly the Frank A. Armstrong in 1920 Denver, an insurance agent, 59 born in Iowa, married to Srah A. 63 born in Illinois.
But this one says his father was born in New York, mother in Ireland..


HARVEY

Harvey Armstrong, age 25, born in Madison County, Iowa to Franklin Armstrong and Mary Bowles, married Hannah Whyte, 25, born in Illinois to A. Whyte and Sarah Penn, on Otober 13, 1887 in Union County, Iowa.

April 1898 "Wm. Whyte of Schuyler is here for a short visit with his sister, Mrs. Harvey Armstrong."

November 1899 Harvey Armstrong and father and Wm. White went to Haigler and back last Sunday
The Afton, Iowa Enterprise of May 16, 1889 wrote that Mrs. Harvey Armstrong of Wray had a daughter.

In 1900 Yuma County, Harvey is ranching, born July 1863 in Iowa, married 12 years to Hannah April 1863 Illinois. She's had three kids, all living. Mrytle April 1889, Effie Aug 1891, and Alicia January 1894 wee born in Colorado.
December 1900 "Miss Mary White of Afton, Iowa, is here to spend the winter for the benefit of her health. She is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Harvey Armstrong"

1901 Wray "Harvey Armstrong and family have located at Edensburg, Wash., for the winter."

February 17, 1905
Mrs. Harvey Armstrong died Friday morning after a long sickness. Mr. Armstrong and family returned from Washington about three months ago and have been at the John Whyte place, southeast of town, hoping that the change of climate would be beneficial to Mrs. Armstrong's health. The funeral was held Saturday noon Rev. Johnson presiding, and interment had at the Wray cemetery."

1910 Wray

Harvey is a stock dealer in 1910 Wray, Mrytle a sales lady, and Effie and Anna are in school.

Effie is also listed with her uncle John White in Wray. He's 61, Mary E. Ament 52.

In 1920 Wray, Harvey is 56, Lorena S. Fonda a school teacher born in Iowa, 39 "Lodge at W.J. Fair's)

In 1930 Wray, Harvey is 66, and daughter Effie 38 with him.
Harvey 1863-1939 is buried in Wray # 16984242.
September 28, 1935 "Death took another of Wray's true pioneers on Tuesday of this week with the death of Harve Armstrong a man who had lived in this community for the past 51 years. Harve Armstrong came to Yuma county in the month of July, 1888, and made his home with his family south of Wray on the flats where he improved a piece of land and farmed it until he quit farming to go into the cattle business. For 12 years he was in that business on what is known as the Miller ranch east of Wray. Leaving the hardships of country life he moved to Wray in the year 1905 and had lived here since with his daughter, Miss Effie Armstrong.
Mr. Armstrong was born at Winterset, Iowa, July 4, 1863, and died at his home in Wray, Colo., on Sept. 26, 1939, having reached the age of 76 years, two months and 22 days.
In 1887 Harve Armstrong took for his bride Hanna Whyte at Afton, Iowa, and to this union were born three daughters, namely: Mrs. Myrtle Bowen of Salt Lake City, Utah; Miss Effie Armstrong of Wray, and Mrs. Anna Fix of Chewelah, Wash.
He is preceded into the Great Beyond by his wife who died in 1905.
Funeral services will he held this Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Christian church with Rev. Lloyd M. Balfour as minister. Interment at Grandview cemetery."

May 3, 1951 "Miss Effie Armstrong, a lifelong resident of this community, died Saturday at the Parsons Convalescent Home where she had been a patient for some time. She was 59 years, 7 months and 23 days old when death claimed her. Miss Armstrong was a daughter of Harve and Hannah Armstrong, early day residents of the Wray community. She was born on a farm near Wray and later moved into town with her parents.
Her mother died when she was in her girlhood and for many years she made her home with the late John and Mary Whyte. She was educated in the Wray schools and graduated from the Wray high school with the class of 1911. After the death of the Whytes, Miss Armstrong kept house for her father for many years, and after his death continued her home at the family place, devoting herself to the service of others, especially the children of the community. Her devotion and her service to her friends, especially children, became a town legend. At Christmas time she toured the town with baskets of gifts for the children she knew and loved, giving beyond her financial and physical capacity. About three years ago her health began to break and her condition has gradually worsened. For a time she was cared for in Denver, but for many months she had been a patient at the Parsons Home here.
Two sisters survive Miss Armstrong. They are Mrs. Myrtle Bowen of Denver and Mrs. Anna Fix of Spokane, Wash. There are also nieces and nephews and less near relatives. j Both sisters will be l)ere today to attend the funeral services that will be held this afternoon at 2 I o’clock at the Christian church, of which she was a long-time member. Rev. Bob Seals Nvill conduct the rites, and interment will follow at Grandview cemetery."

MYRTLE

Myrtle married Fred O. Bowen on September 29, 1910.
Fred Oswald Bowen, born at Wray December 10, 1888, registred for WWI in Wray, farming.

In 1920 they're ranching in Jefferson County, Colorado. Fred is 32, Myrtle 30, Lowell S. 8, and Lester A. 5.
In 1930 Jefferson County, Fred is a truck driver, Lovell no occupation, Lester a janitor in the post office.

Fred, a day laborer, and Myrtle are alone in 1940 Denver.
Fred died in May 1975.



ANNA
Gus Fix, 21, married Anna Armstrong in Yuma County on March 9, 1913.

In 1920 Kittitas, Washington, Anna is 25, married to Gus Fix.
They're in Stevens County, Washington in 1930, with Holly, 4.
All three are in Stevens County in 1940, too.

Holly Aleen Fix of Chewelah married Frederick Thomas Mahaffey Edsall of Pullman, Washington on September 9, 1945.
They divorced in Washington County, Idaho September 30, 1947.

In 1950 Spokane Washington, Gus and Anna live at 1922 E. Dalton Avenue.
In 1956 Jos C. Plastino (Holly) a salesman live at 1922 E. Dalton.

Gus 1891-1987 and Anna 1894-1969 # 59068319 are buried in Stevens County.


Anna, born January 18, 1894 in Yuma County, died in May 1863, per SSDI.

EFFIE

In 1911 Wray, Effie and Anna Armstrong were graduates.

1917 Wray "John Whyte, of the Peoples State Bank, and Miss Effie Armstrong, who have been visiting with friends and relatives in Iowa, arrived home yesterday noon."

In 1919 Wray, Miss Frances Hudgel had the mumps, and Miss Effie Armstrong was in charge of the library.

In 1920 Wray, Effie is 26, living with uncle John Whyte and his sister mary E. Anent - John is a bank president

1922 Wray "Uncle John Whyte and Miss Effie Armstrong left the latter part of last week for a short vacation trip in the mountains."

Effie 1891-1951 is buried in Wray # 16984205.

HULDAH
George Epperson, age 22, married Hulda Armstrong on September 30, 1888 in Union County, Iowa.

Hazel- daughter of George and Huldah Epperson 1897-1898 is buried in Afton, Iowa # 16514458.

December 24, 1898 "Geo. Epperson and family are recent arrivals from Union County, Iowa, to make their home in this land of sunshine. Mrs. Epperson is a daughter of Uncle Frank Armstrong, on whose place they will resiae."

Hulda 1868-1900 is buried in Wray, # 81397934.

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