ARMSTRONG, John Wesley
Source: Sacramento Daily Record Tues March 3, 1896 p3
After an illness of several months ex-Judge John Wesley Armstrong died at his residence in this city yesterday noon. Judge Armstrong was a prominent man in legal and political circles and well known throughout the State. He had been one of the leaders of the Democratic party and in many campaigns his voice was heard in behalf of his party from one end of the State to the other. At one time he was a prominent candidate for nomination as Supreme Court justice, but the State Convention became involved in a factional dispute and his supporters were divided and his aspirations defeated. He was a man of strong will, clear-headed, a good lawyer, a most menial companion and a man who was true to his friends and just to his enemies. In his practice before the bar he was always gentlemanly, considerate and courteous toward opposing counsel. Judge Armstrong was a native of Fountain County, Indiana and 62 years of age. In his boyhood, he was obliged to labor, which prevented him from obtaining more than a fair country school education. While a mere boy he turned his face westward and set out from his home to make his way in the world. Reaching St. Joseph, Mo on foot he sought and found employment at blacksmithing of which he had some knowledge. As early as 1851 he set out across the plains for California and after many hardships arrived at the emigrant camp where Truckee now stands without money but hopeful and strong of heart. After working at various callings in Rough and Ready, Nevada County he came to Sacramento in 1852 and resumed his trade of plow-making, afterward removing to San Francisco. There he had opportunity for studying and improved it with good results. There he found his sister (afterward Mrs. Senator Wallis) who came to the coast as early as 1844 and with her aid he took a course at the University of the Pacific. On leaving the university he studied law with FA Fabens and OL Shafter, who were then among the leading lawyers in San Francisco and was admitted to practice in 1855. The first 11 years of his practice were passed at Jackson, Amador County and in 1868 he removed to Sacramento and made this city his home. He was for 12 years a director of the State Library. In 1883 a vacancy occurred on the Superior Court Bench. Gov. Stoneman appointed him to that position. Subsequently he was again appointed to a vacancy on the bench and at the close of that term was elected to succeed himself. At the last election for Superior Judge he was urged but declined to be a candidate having in the meantime established a very successful practice in company with Alvin J. Bruner with whom he was associated up to the time of his death. Besides his wife, Judge Armstrong leaves two sisters and a nephew in this sate – Mrs. JB Wallis and Mrs. Caroline Beischee of Santa Clara Co and Talbot H. Wallis of this city. Mrs Amstrong is a sister of Superior Judge Hinkson. The funeral will take place tomorrow forenoon. There will be high mass at the Cathedral at 10 a.m. prior to the interment, which latter will be private. The family requests that flowers be omitted. The flag will be place at half-mast today over the Art Gallery by the Calif Museum Association out of respect to the memory of Judge Armstrong. He was one of the first life members, was a pioneer director of the association and held the office for many years. In conjunction with Judge Catlin, he conceived the idea of and drew the deed of trust that gave the property to the city and to the uses and purposes of the association. - kbz
Source: Sacrament Bee Mon March 2, 1896 p 1
Judge John W. Armstrong was in many respects a remarkable man. The trials and tricks of misfortune followed him from his early youth until by the power of his indomitable will and self-reliance he conquered all obstacles only to yield at last to the powers of the grim specter that claims all in time. He was born in Fountain County Indiana in 1834. His early educational training was very meager and was obtained during short sessions of a country school. At 12 years of age he was an apprentice to a blacksmith. His associations were unpleasant in his calling on account of the disagreeable character of his employer. At this time his father died. Young Armstrong resolved to set out in the world alone. Provided with a simple lunch by his mother he started on his lonesome and discouraging journey. He walked to St. Joseph where he ate his lunch at the public fountain. Here he secured employment in a blacksmith shop at which place he learned the plowmaker’s trade. In 1851 he was employed at mill work at Columbus, Missouri. From here he determined to come to California and with but $10 he started on foot. He was employed to drive loose cattle. At the Platte River he contracted a disease in his leg by repeated swimming of the river to get the cattle across. The journey across the continent to Truckee was made upon a mule and in a wagon. Here he was left without means and with a badly swollen leg. After this he managed through the assistance of a couple of friends to reach Rough and Ready, a mining camp but came near giving up in despair. When he was able to work he secured a place as dishwasher in a miners’ boarding house then a job as blacksmith at which he earned $40. Upon this he came to Sacramento in 1852. He obtained work in a shop at Sixth and K as a plowmaker. He then went to San Francisco and worked at his trade for a time. While engaged in this work he improved his time by reading and perfecting himself in the English branches of education and a fair amount of Latin. A fortunate circumstance occurred in the discovery of his sister in San Francisco who came to California in 1844. Her name appears upon the first census of San Francisco in 1846. She afterwards became the wife of Senator Wallis of Santa Clara. Through her assistance John W. Armstrong was enabled to take a course of study at the University of the Pacific. When he returned to San Francisco he began the study of law, spending portions of his time in the law office of FA Fabens and Oscar L. Shafter. In 1855 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. He went to Jackson, Amadon County where he followed his profession for 11 years. In 1868 he moved to this city where he has ever since resided and enjoyed a most successful practice. He was first appointed Judge of the Superior Court by Governor Steoneman in 1883 to fill a vacancy. At the close of Stoneman’s term another vacancy occurred and Judge Armstrong was again appointed. After this Judge Armstrong was elected by the people to fill the position of Superior Judge for an unexpired term. For 12 years Judge Armstrong was one of the Trustees of the state library. At the Democratic State Convention a few years ago he was an aspirant for the nomination as a Supreme Court Justice but was defeated. Since that time Judge Armstrong has renounced all desire for political preferment and had devoted himself to the practice of his profession. In 1866 Judge Armstrong was married to Miss Annie E. Hinkson, the sister of our present Superior Judge of Department Three.
Photo from Sacramento Bee Mon March 2, 1896 p 1