John Armstrong, Neponset, was born February 17, 1836, in Newcastleton, Roxboroshire, England. His father, Wm. Armstrong was also a native of Scotland, where he died. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a mason by occupation. The grandfather of our subject, John Armstrong, Sr., was a native of Scotland, where his ancestors had resided several centuries, they being one of the first families in the realm, and are honorably mentioned in he history of Scotland as ardent supporters of the Scottish crown. (See Scottish Chiefs). The mother of our subject, Margaret Telfor, is a native of Scotland, where she yet resides. She is the mother of seven children, viz; Hannah, Elizabeth, Mrs. Mary Turnbull (now a resident of Stark County, Ill.), John (our subject) James, William, and Walter, a resident of Page County, Iowa. The other children are yet living in Scotland.
Our subject was educated in his native country, where he learned and followed the mason’s trade for six years, after which he farmed. In 1856 he came to Stark County, Ill., where he worked three years for one man, and then commenced to farm for himself in Neponset Township, Bureau County, where he bought eighty acres in Section 32, and now owns 160 acres. He was married here June 6, 1867, to Ellen Hall, born June 10, 1844 in Scotland. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Scott) Hall, who are the parents of William Hall, Andrew Hall and Mrs. Ellen Armstrong, who is the mother of eight children, viz; William H., Mary M., Charles W., Henry J., Jane, Ellen, Etta M., and an infant son. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are members of the United Presbyterian Church of America. He is a Republican, and a self-made man in every respect, as he came to the United States without means.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885