Irwin G. Armstrong ^12,264

  General Notes:

Death Takes One of St. Paul's Outstanding Citizens
I. G. Armstrong Materially Added to Development and Improvement of the Community. Funeral Held Saturday
Last week we told our readers about the sudden death of I. G. Armstrong, who expired suddenly at the home of his son, Joe Armstrong, near Farwell, from a heart attack, but it was impossible to obtain material for an obituary at that time. This week we are able to give our readers a short resume of the life and the activities of this good man who was called to his heavenly reward so suddenly last week.
The sorrow already on the community was deepened when the word was circulated that I. G. Armstrong had suddenly passed to his reward while on a brief sojourn to the farm operated by his son, Joe, near Farwell. Mr. Armstrong had been about the city earlier in the day on his usual round of activity and had attended to some business affairs pertaining to the signing of some school warrants. In the afternoon he had made the rounds of the farms and had arrived at the home of his son just ten minutes before he was seen to fall, he expired almost immediately. No warning was given of the sudden heart attack, which thus suddenly terminated a most useful and devoted life. To those of his family it was known that he had not been well for some time, but during the last weeks he seemed much better.
Irvin G. Armstrong was born near the town of Inneskillen, in the County of Fermanagh, Ireland, on July 10, 1867, passing onward, December 1, 1930, at the age of 63 years, 4 months and 21 days. When seventeen years old he came to America in company with a sister, Mrs. Elijah Welsh, settling near Abilene, Kansas. After a year's residence there he came to Howard County (in the state of Nebraska) and settled on a farm a few miles from Farwell. He was married to Miss Anna Welsh on May 16, 1888, to which union were born seven children. In the spring of 1920 the family moved to St. Paul, where they have since resided. While residing on the farm Mr. Armstrong devoted his attention extensively to farming and stock raising and on coming to town his interest in those pursuits was not lessened, and he delighted to return to the scenes of so many years of his labors and assist in the work. He thoroughly enjoyed life and found great delight in being busy at some useful toil. He loved his home and family, seldom being away from this companionship, and they will cherish the sacred memory of a most devoted husband and father.
From his earliest years, Mr. Armstrong was interested in education, and was elected many times to the school board in his country district, serving many years in various offices. On coming to St.Paul his labors in this direction did not cease, and at the time of his death he was a member of, and a trusted counselor, with the city's Board of Education. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight Templar of that order. Coming, as he did, from a country where Christian faith is prominent and Christian character considered an asset, he carried his faith wherever he journeyed. A Christian leaving his native land, he joined hands with those like-minded by becoming one of the early members in the Presbyterian Church located south of Farwell, and later moved to Farwell. In this church he was an officer from the first, being trustee and treasurer of the organization. These church activities continued on coming to St. Paul, and he was ordained to the office of Ruling Elder shortly after making his home here. The songs of the church proved a special comfort to him as he sang, "I can hear my Savior Calling."
The community bears witness to his sterling manhood and business integrity, for as a citizen he was honest and fair-minded No one ever had to prompt him in a decision of the right or wrong of a question. He weighed his decisions and gave sympathetic consideration to his neighbor's views. He acted on the principle of live and let live. He enjoyed meeting with friends, and enjoyed every moment of his life. He was ambitious to fill the hours of his earthly sojourn with useful employment and to give good account of his stewardship. As such he will be greatly missed from the wide circle of his acquaintance, and by his many intimate friends.
Those mourning his sudden call are his wife and companion in his labors, Mrs. Anna Armstrong; the affectionate children,, Mrs. Jennie Wickman of Tekamah, Robert Armstrong of St. Paul; Joseph Armstrong of Farwell, Mrs. Isabelle Kircher of Detroit, Michigan, George Armstrong of Grand Island, Clayton Armstrong of St. Paul. Besides these and their families there are nine grandchildren; a brother, Robert Armstrong of Kansas City, Mo., and a sister, Mrs. Elijah Welsh, living at Kearney. A son, Edgar, preceded his father in death.
The funeral was held from the Presbyterian church on Saturday afternoon and the same was very largely attended. It is said that it was one of the largest funerals ever held in this city. Mr. Armstrong had a large number of friends. To know Irvin Armstrong was to like him, to admire him, and to make a man be proud to call him a friend. All of these desired to pay their last respects to his memory. The beautiful floral offerings were evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by the people of the community where he had so long resided. The services were conducted by Rev. W. J. Primrose, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, who delivered a wonderful funeral oration. Following the services at the church the remains were conveyed to Elmwood cemetery, where they were interred, a large concourse of relatives and friends following the remains to their last resting place.
The Phonograph desires to tender condolence and sympathy to the bereaved family in the death of their loved one. It is too bad to see such a man as Mr. Armstrong pass away in the prime of life. He had used the time he spent on this earth to excellent advantage, and he leaves a real monument to his memory in a fine family of children who will carry on and continue his good work. May he rest in peace.
Source: Newspaper clipping provided by Cecil Holmes. ²⁶⁴

  Noted events in his life were:

• Immigration to U.S., 1884, Abilene, Kansas. ²⁶⁴ "When seventeen years old he came to America in company with a sister, Mrs. Elijah Welsh, settling near Abilene, Kansas."

• moved to Nebraska, 1885, Farwell, Howard, Nebraska, USA. ²⁶⁴ "After a year's residence there [Abilene, Kansas], he came to Howard county (in the state of Nebraska) and settled on a farm a few miles from Farwell."

• moved to St. Paul, 1920, St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska. ²⁶⁴ "In the spring of 1920 the family moved to St. Paul, where they have since resided."

• Census, 8 Apr 1930, St. Paul Precinct, Howard County, Nebraska. ²⁶⁵ #199 ARMSTRONG, Robert, head, renting, not a farm, m, w, 38, married 30 at 1st marriage, born Nebraska, father northern Ireland, mother Canada English, assistant cashier bank
ARMSTRONG, Eleanora, wife, f,w, 37, 19 at 1st marriage, born Nebraska, parents born Denmark
ARMSTRONG, Ellan Ann, adopted daughter, f,w, born Nebraska, father born Wyoming, mother born Nebraska
ARMSTRONG, Dean R., son, m,w, 3-2/12, born Nebraska, parents born Nebraska

#201 ARMSTRONG, Irwin G., head, renting, m,w, age 62, 20 at 1st marriage, born Northern Ireland, parents born Northern Ireland, farmer, gen. farm year of immigration to US 1885, naturalized
ARMSTRONG, E. Anna, wife, f, w, 58, 16 at 1st marriage, born Canada English, parents born Canada English, year of immigration to US 1881, naturalized
ARMSTRONG, Clayton, son, m,w, 17, single, born Nebraska, father born N. Ireland, mother born Canada English

Irwin married Eliza Anna Welsh, daughter of Joseph Welsh and Elizabeth Welsh, on 16 May 1888 in Farwell, Howard, Nebraska, USA. (Eliza Anna Welsh was born on 27 Sep 1871 in Canada ²⁶⁴ and died on 21 Jan 1956 ²⁶⁴.)

  Marriage Notes:

Witnessed by George James Welsh and Emma Welsh of Tynerville, Nebraska.
Performed by Fred Johnston.