WINFIELD SCOTT ARMSTRONG, a citizen of West Finley township, is a grandson of James A. Armstrong, a native of Ireland. The latter immigrated to America, and settled east of the Alleghany mountains, where he was married to Miss Margaret Martin. After their marriage the young couple settled in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., where ten children were born to them. Mr. Armstrong was one of the first volunteers in the war of 1812, and served till the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge. Samuel Armstrong was the tenth child in the order of birth, and was born April 20, 1812, on the farm in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn. He was united in marriage in 1833, with Mary Crow, daughter of William Crow, also a resident of Donegal township, and to their union were born the following children: Mrs. Mary Watson, Margaret, Mrs. Sarah J. Hair, William H., Catherine (Mrs. Guess), and Winfield Scott. Mr. Armstrong removed to West Alexander four years before his death, which occurred June 12, 1867, having been preceded by his wife in October, 1855.
Winfield Scott Armstrong was born August 13, 1847, in Donegal township, Washington county, and lived at home until old enough to earn his own living, when he began to work by the month for different farmers. On March 27, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Third Regiment, P. V. I., and served until the close of the war. His brother, William H. Armstrong, enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, P. V. I. He served in many of the battles, and was captured at Gettysburg, being taken to Libby Prison, where, in December, 1863, he died of starvation, thus adding another name to the long list of martyred heroes. On February 19, 1873, Winfield Scott Armstrong was married to Miss Kate Gordon, and they have had two children, William H., born April 28, 1876, and Flora Gordon, born January 23, 1890. After his marriage Mr. Armstrong bought the old water-power gristmill which he still owns, and made the good, old-fashioned sweet flour. The old mill has been kept in excellent repair, and is one of the few of that kind now in operation.
Text taken from page 1304 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]