Springfield-Greene
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FREDERICK W. ARMSTRONG. Mr. Armstrong was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, January 13, 1868. He is a son of William F. and Minerva P. (Simmons) Armstrong, the former born in Ireland, April 11, 1830, and the latter in Hillsboro, Illinois, January 7, 1837. In that state she grew to womanhood, was educated in the common schools and she and Mr. Armstrong were married in the town of Hillsboro. Her death occurred December 17, 1901. William F. Armstrong spent his early years in his native land and there attended school, and when a young man he set sail across the broad Atlantic for American shores and located in Hillsboro, Illinois. He was a carpenter and contractor, which line of endeavor he followed during his active life, except when in military service. Upon the first call for troops by President Lincoln to put down the Southern Confederacy in April, 1861, Mr. Armstrong enlisted in Company E, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he proved to be such a brave and excellent soldier that he was promoted from private through the various subordinate ranks to that of major, and was a successful and dashing officer, taking part in many important campaigns, battles and skirmishes. He was many times wounded, receiving a severe wound at the battle of Shiloh, and he carried five bullets to the grave in his body. He served not only in the Civil war, but in some of the campaigns against the hostile Indians of the West, and was in the United States army in all nearly five years. After leaving the army he returned to Hillsboro, where his death occurred April 17, 1868. Politically he was a strong Republican. He belonged to the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His family consisted of four children, namely: Tom W., a Springfield plumber, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Elizabeth is deceased; Samuel, the eldest lives in Hillsboro, Illinois, and Frederick W., of this sketch.
Mr. Armstrong of this sketch grew to manhood in Hillsboro, Illinois, and there he received his education in the common schools, working at odd times in a grocery store before leaving school, and when fourteen years old he began working at the carpenter's trade, but after following it for one summer he turned his attention to the plumbing business, serving an apprenticeship and became an efficient workman in due course of time. He remained in his native town in this work until 1899, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has since resided. He was in partnership with his brother, Tom W. Armstrong. He has done a great deal of work of this nature throughout the city, often turning out large contracts. He has kept well up in his line in every respect and employed capable assistants so that his jobs have always been satisfactory. He has been the official plumbing inspector of the city of Springfield during the past four years and discharged the duties of this important post in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned. He retired from this office April 15, 1915, and at the present time is engaged in the grocery business for himself at the corner of National boulevard and Kearney street, where he is enjoying a good trade.
Mr. Armstrong was married in Hillsboro, Illinois, December 29, 1895, to Minnie B. Follis, who was born in that city January 24, 1872. She is a daughter of Joseph and Rachael (Roach) Follis, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Illinois. Mrs. Armstrong is one of three children.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Tom Jr., born October 18, 1897, and Minnie M., born May 5, 1906.
Politically our subject is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights and Ladies of Security, the Woodmen, and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. He is a Member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
[1882-1883]
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