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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  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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WILLIAM G. ARMSTRONG, one of the most progressive residents of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is engaged very extensively in the raising of thoroughbred horses and in agricultural pursuits generally. He was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1860, being the son of William and Ann Jane (Trimble) Armstrong, who were both natives of Ireland, he born in county Antrim and she in county Fermanagh.

William Armstrong (father) came to America about 1850, locating first in Canada, but subsequently removing to Philadelphia, where he married Ann J. Trimble. He was a contractor and builder, and assisted in the erection of some of the most prominent public buildings in Philadelphia, among them the Fidelity Trust building, the Manhattan Life building, Episcopal hospital, Methodist hospital, Presbyterian Home, Joseph Sinnott’s residence at Rosemont, about forty of the most imposing church edifices in that city and in New Jersey and Delaware. In 1874 he purchased a farm of 400 acres of Richard J. Dobbins, in Montgomery county, located in Montgomery township, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He dealt very extensively in thoroughbred horses and breeding them. He also gave some of his time and attention to his contracting business. He was a popular and progressive citizen, honored for his many excellent qualities and integrity in all matters of business. In his political views he was liberal, voting for men rather than for party, although identified with the Democratic party. In religious views he affiliated with the Presbyterian church. He died May 22, 1890. His wife died May 18, 1904. Both were buried in Montgomery Square Methodist graveyard. Their children were: Mary, wife of James E. Downey, residing in Philadelphia; William G., John G., Jennie (Mrs. Charles D. Hill).

William G. Armstrong was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia and of Montgomery township. After completing his studies he engaged with his father as accountant for the purpose of gaining a knowledge of the business. He was thus engaged for ten years previous to his father’s death. After that event he completed all contracts on hand and unfinished at that time. Since 1891 he has given all his attention to his farm and to the raising of thoroughbred race horses, and is the owner of some of the finest stock in the country. Mr. Armstrong is deeply and actively interested in everything relating to the welfare of Montgomery township, and the progress of the community in which he lives. He was instrumental in obtaining one of the finest macadamized roads in the county for this township. He has never been a political office seeker, but efficiently filled the position of township supervisor for one term. He married, at Camden, New Jersey, Rhoda S., daughter of William and Hannah Cattell, of Woodbury, New Jersey. They have no children.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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