ARMSTRONG, John Wesley - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

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