Armstrong - Thomas Albert
THOMAS ALBERT ARMSTRONG
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Aug 14, 1916
Albert Armstrong, one of the best known citizens of this part of Montgomery County, was called in death very suddenly Saturday evening. He left his store early in the evening, saying he was going home. The next seen of him was about half past 7 when his dead body was discovered in a chair in his front yard, his faithful dog at his feet. It was supposed that he had been dead about 1/2 hour. Mr. Armstrong was a bachelor aged 54 and had been engaged in the general merchandise business at Mace for many years. He is survived by four brothers, Ora, of Mace; James of Linnsburg; Esba of Lebanon; Charles of Evertt, Michigan; and one sister, Mrs. AJ Harris of near Linnsburg. The funeral will occur this afternoon at 2:30 in the Mace Methodist Church conducted by Rev Mr. Hicks. It will be under the auspices of the Red Men and Knights of Pythias of which orders the deceased was a member. - knx
Source: Unknown
Thomas Albert ARMSTRONG, the son of John and Julia A. Armstrong, was born Oct 16, 1861 on the old home place near Mace and died Aug 12, 1916 at the age of 54 years 9 months and 27 days. His infancy and childhood were spent on the farm and there amid the blooming flowers, the sining birds and the humming bees he grew up in God's great out of doors. Being near to Mother Nature in these early years it was but natural that he should cling to it and be slow to be weaned away. So until the age of 32 he continued to labor as a farmer boy. Then came the decisive change which turned his life into another and a broader channel. He left the farm and became a clerk in the gneral merchandise store of C.C. Peterman. In a short time he purchased the store of Mr. PETERMAN. For the next 10 years he formed various partnerships with his brothers and others and then he and his brother, Frank, became partners to remain so until Albert's death. During this period of keeping store he was also postmaster for a period of at least 8 years. It was thus in the business world that he formed such wide acquaintance as he enjoyed. Albert had seeming been in good health all his life until within the last two weeks. Then he became sick and getting no better, at last went to the home of his sister, Mrs. AJ HARRIS for a visit. Here he reamined from Tuesday until Friday before his death. Then he could remain away from the store no longer, Saturday morning found him there again, but complaining, an unusual thing for Albert. That same morning he said to a friend: "I am a sick man and am going to see the doctor." He paid a visit to his physician who found his heart action very abnormal. Albert was ordered to go to bed, but instead took or attempted to take his place behind the counter. He went to his evening meal as if nothing were wrong and ate a hearty supper. As nearly as can be learned, at about 7 he moved his chair under a tree in the yard and sat down to read and rest, guarded by his faithfuld dog. His paper at last dropped to the ground, his hat fell behind his chair and his head dropped slightly to one side. Here with closed eyes and his customary manner of resting with his right leg crossed over his left and his hands folded, he was noticed by friends, who were passing and who spoke but received no reply. Nothing was thought of this however, until nearly 9 o'clock when some of the family, became alarmed and investigated only to find he had quietly slipped from their midst. Albert was a member of the Knights of Pythias for at least 35 years and a charte rmember of the Red Men. He had a happy philosphy of life and a rare sense of humor. He enjoyed a good joke and always had a ready reply. We know now that when oppressed by business cares and boily pain he masked them all behind some bit of humor. He was a liberal man even to denying himself for others sake. He was ever ready to reach out a helping hand to the needy, the widows and orphans. Albert was a mixer of unusual ability. He had a way of getting along with folks, adn thus he made friends. If Albert had an enemy in the world that worst enemy was himself. He deservs especial mention as to refraining from profane language. It is a remarkably fine trait of character not to use such, especially when hearing it on all sides as a man before the public is forced to do at times. It is upon reliable testimony that the assertion is made that Albert never indulged in profanity. In fact a life long friend said that he had never heard him offer an oath. Such an example should impress itself upon his friends, especially when so many men feel at liberty to forcibly express themselves upon provacation. If any citizen of Mace will be missed the deceased will be one. We miss his voice with its cheerful greeting upon the street and his face from behind the counter of the village store or perched in his favorite attitude upon the chair or box. The store will never be the same to many as it was before. "One more I missed him on the 'customed hill; Mong the heath and near his favorite tree; Another came, nor yet besides the hill, Nor up the lawn nor at the wood was he." There were born to the union of John and Julia Armstrong 8 children, 6 sons and two daughters. Besides Albert, a daughter is also deceased: Mrs. Martha Ellen GALLOWAY. The children surviving are: James W of Linnsburg; Charles E of Evert, MI; Frank B of Mace; Mrs. Eliza A. Harris of Mace; Esba of Lebanon and John Ora of Mace. Besides these the deceased leaves three uncles, John Hunt of Crawfordsville, Ed Hunt of Mace and Silas Hunt of Wellsville, KS. Outside this inner circle then comes a large number of relatives and friends. - kbz