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Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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.

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James Armstrong was born in Greenbrier County, Va., April 9. 1813, and when quite young accompanied his father’s family to Chariton County, then Territory of Missouri, in 1819. In 1820 they moved to Labaddie Bottom, Franklin County, in which vicinity and the neighborhood of Washington young James was brought up. In 1822 his father died. In the original family of three daughters and four sons all are deceased save one daughter, now Mrs. Harvey Campbell, who lives near Washington, and the subject of this sketch. In 1840 Mr. Armstrong married Miss Cynthia Ann Hinton, daughter of Col. C. B. Hinton, a prominent citizen living near Washington. He moved to his present residence in the western part of the county (Section 34, Township 44, Range 4 west) in 1843, settling on Government land, and living on it until he had accumulated means with which to enter it. As might well be supposed, neighbors at that time were scarce, and many hardships were undergone in establishing a home amid such pioneer surroundings. Mr. Armstrong raised six children to be grown—four sons and two daughters. Two of the former are now living in Kansas City, and two sons and a daughter reside near the old homestead. One married daughter died in 1867. Mrs. Armstrong died in 1886. Mr. Armstrong has never held any office except that of justice of the peace. He was deputy collector about the year 1858. He has never taken any active part in politics, but has exercised his right of suffrage in a conscientious manner, casting his ballots only for men he believed to be pure and upright and qualified for the position they were seeking, and only for measures which had for their end the advancement of the principles of good government.

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This family biography is one of 305 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Franklin County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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