My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Miller County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * * *

John D. Armstrong, another of the prominent citizens of Miller County, was born in Franklin County, Miss., July 27, 1849, the oldest of a family of seven children born to James and Martha Ann (Terrell) Armstrong, both of whom were natives of Franklin County, Miss. Their marriage occurred in their native county, and there they made their home until in December, 1850, then moving to Claiborne Parish, La., where the mother passed from life, in 1863, in her thirty-third year. After her death the father married Miss Ann Powell, a native of Claiborne Parish, La., and in 1870 moved to Miller County (then La Fayette County), where he died in 1874, leaving a widow, who still survives. He was very successful all his years, but being very fond of the comforts of life, he spent his money freely, and died comparatively poor. Early in the late war he enlisted from Louisiana, in the Confederate Infantry service, in which he remained until 1863, when, on account of his wife's death, he was paroled, and returned home. Again joining his command, he was detailed as a miller, and continued as such until the close of the war. He was a farmer all his life, and also worked at his trade as a miller and tanner, and during the season, as a thresher. He and his first wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which body he acted in an official capacity for a number of years. In politics he always voted the Democratic ticket. Upon the mother’s death in 1863, our subject, then a lad of fourteen years, took charge of the household affairs, acting as cook, general housekeeper and mother to his younger brothers and sisters until the close of the war. In the spring of 1866 he hired out to do farm work, in which occupation he continued until 1869, when he rented land, which he tilled on his own responsibility, and the next year moved on the place where he now lives. He first entered eighty acres of land situated in a wilderness of pine timber, and since then has added the balance of 800 acres, after having recently sold 680 acres; he has 200 acres under cultivation. He is also the owner of considerable valuable property in Texarkana, located in the best business parts of that city, consisting of one half square, on which is a splendid business building, and five unimproved lots scattered over the place. From the year 1883 to 1886 Mr. Armstrong was engaged in the mill and timber business at Milton Switch, in connection with his farming operations, and got out considerable timber on contract for the Cotton Belt Railroad, but was obliged to give up this business on account of ill health, resulting from overwork and exposure. During this time he also carried on a general merchandise business. His wife, to whom he was married December 15, 1867, was formerly Miss Margaret E. Ward. She was born November 15, 1851, and was a daughter of David C. Ward, of Claiborne Parish, La. He was born in Arkansas, and his wife in Mississippi, and both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have been born six children, all of whom are living, viz.: Laura T., Lula A., Jesse W., Mary I., Ada V. and Alga E. They take a deep interest in all religious work, both being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which body Mr. Armstrong has served in different official capacities. He is now class leader and steward at Liberty campground. He is a Mason, and in politics is a stanch Democrat. Since coming to this State he has been very successful, and has accumulated considerable property, which is entirely the result of his own efforts, as he started out in life without means, his only capital being pluck and energy backed by a determination to succeed.

* * * * *