Descendants of Rainey Armstrong

Descendants of Rainey Armstrong - Genealogy Pages

Rainey Armstrong and Rosey McKinstrey

Husband Rainey ARMSTRONG

         Born: 1818 - Co. Antrim, Ireland
   Christened:  - Ballymoney, Antrim, Ireland
         Died: 13 Feb 1899 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: Feb 1899 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

     Marriage: 1837 - Co. Antrim, Ireland

Noted events in his life were:

• Birth Location

Antrim Co., Ireland

• Burial Location

Bayfield Cemetery, 122E

• Occupation

Weaver, in Ireland; Farmer & Weaver in Ontario.

Wife Rosey McKINSTREY

         Born: Abt Mar 1817 - Co. Antrim, Ireland
   Christened:  - Antrim, Ireland
         Died: 28 May 1888 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can.
       Buried: 1888 - Bayfield, Ont.

Noted events in her life were:

• Birth Location

Antrim Co., Ireland

• Burial Location

Bayfield Cemetery, 124E

Children

1 M Allen ARMSTRONG

         Born: 12 Feb 1839 - Antrim, Ireland
   Christened:  - Antrim, Ireland
         Died: 9 Oct 1884 - London, Ont.
       Buried: 11 Oct 1884 - London, Ont.

       Spouse: Margaret ROSS (living)

2 M David ARMSTRONG

         Born: 1 Sep 1842 - Antrim, Ireland
   Christened:  - Antrim, Ireland
         Died: 20 Oct 1915 - Painesdale, Houghton, Michigan, USA
       Buried: 22 Oct 1915 - Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

       Spouse: Jane TATE (Abt 1843-1913)
         Marr: Abt 1866

3 M James Glasgow ARMSTRONG

         Born: 6 Apr 1843 - Antrim, Ireland
   Christened:  - Antrim, Ireland
         Died: 24 Jan 1892 - Stanley, Huron, Ont.
       Buried: Jan 1892 - Bayfield, Ont.

4 M John A ARMSTRONG

         Born: 12 Jul 1847 - Antrim, Ireland
   Christened:  - Antrim, Ireland
         Died: 22 Dec 1916 - Clinton, Ont.
       Buried: 1916 - Bayfield, Ont.

       Spouse: Ellen CLARKE (1854-1946)
         Marr: 30 Jul 1874 - Stanley, Huron, Ont.

5 M William ARMSTRONG

         Born: 18 Mar 1850 - Antrim, Ireland
   Christened:  - Antrim, Ireland
         Died: 29 Jul 1915 - Bay City, Bay Co. Michigan
       Buried: 1 Aug 1915 - Bay City, Bay Co. Michigan

       Spouse: Rebecca J LAING (1850-1932)
         Marr: 6 Oct 1870 - Linn Co., Missouri, USA

6 F Mary ARMSTRONG

         Born: Feb 1852 - Antrim, Ireland
   Christened: 
         Died: Jun 1852 - At Sea, Ireland To Canada
       Buried:

7 M George ARMSTRONG

         Born: 17 Jun 1854 - Stanley, Huron, Ont., Can
   Christened: 
         Died: 19 May 1935 - Stanley, Huron, Ont., Can
       Buried: May 1935 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont., Can.

       Spouse: Eva "Jane" Eleanor WESTON (1856-1901)
         Marr: 1 Feb 1877 - Varna, Huron, Ont., Can.

8 M Wilson ARMSTRONG

         Born: 18 Mar 1856 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 5 Jul 1932 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried:  - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

       Spouse: Catherine "Ann" McCLINCHEY (1865-1941)
         Marr: 24 Oct 1883 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can

9 F Eliza Jane ARMSTRONG

         Born: 10 Jul 1858 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can.
   Christened: 
         Died: 19 Mar 1877 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can.
       Buried: Mar 1877 - Bayfield, Ont.

10 M Robert ARMSTRONG

         Born: 12 Dec 1860 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened: 1860 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 24 Jul 1921 - Huron St. Clinton, Ont.
       Buried: 26 Jul 1921 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

       Spouse: Emily STEPHENSON (1868-1938)
         Marr: 19 Oct 1886 - Brucefield, Huron Co, Ont, Can

General Notes (Husband)

Immigrated to Canada in 1852.

Important letter:

The following letter was written by Rainy Armstrong on April 12, 1852. The letter was written to a brother, David Armstrong, already living in Huron County. The envelope was addressed as follows: David Armstrong, Township of Stanley, Godrich Post Office, Hurin District, Upper Canada, North America. The envelope has post office stamps as follows: Kells, Antrim - Antrim Apr 13 1852 - Late Mail Apr 14 1852 - Goderich May 8 1852

April 12, 1852

Dear Brother:

I received your kind and long looked for letter giving us great satisfaction to hear you are still in the land of the living and enjoying many precious blessings with which we ourselves should be thankful for. Hoping this will find you in health as it leaves us at present. Dear brother I wish to let you know since we received your letter we have disposed of all our property and have now agreed for our passage in the Clio which will sail from Belfast on the 3 day of May for Quebec. We and George Ervin together have agreed for our passage on this and likewise Hugh McKnally. You may let Andrew Kain know that Thomas Johnston is coming with us in the same boat. Your brother George Ervin has settled about his land with Mr Ovons but could not make any settlement for James Ervins without an assignment from his own hand.

We intend to go entirely by the directions of your kind letter and providence concurring we will come out at the appointed time wholly dependent upon the guidance and blessing of God. Dear brother and sister we hope the time is not far distant when we shall once more meet with you whom we never thought to see in this world.

You will let George Ervin know that his father and mother will soon pay him a visit by the encouragement of his own letter. We have all our little preparations made and is now waiting with impatience the day of our departure. We gave your kind respects to all your enquiring friends by giving them a reading or your letter as you mention them all.

Your uncle James Armstrong has sailed for Newburg with his family on the 1st of April and told me he would write you a letter when he arrives there.

Your brother John bids me say he will write you a letter but not until after my arrival with you as he is in the opinion of coming out if you and I can encourage him. He has a family all able to work and is sorry to keep them in a land where labor has no merit. They say If he does not come they will leave him alone and go themselves.

I will not trouble you much at present with a long letter but hope we will soon be able to tell you what my pen cannot write. I will say no more at present but remain your ever affectionate brother and sister till death.

Rainy Armstrong

Mother bids me insert a few lines to you to let you know that her health has been greatly impaired as she has for some weeks past been confined to bed and unable to walk about and she says she thinks she would be unable to come along with us but would be very willing if her ability would allow. She is both sorry and glad at our removal because we are going to you. All your friends in Ireland join in sending their kind love to you. I can say but little at present but remain your aged parent wishing you grace, mercy and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Upenny Armstrong

Obituary: Huron Expositor, March 10, 1899

Another Pioneer Gone. – Mr. Rainey Armstrong passed peacefully away on February 13th, having reached the good old age of 81 years. He was a native of County, Antrim, Ireland. He and his wife emigrated to this country and 1852. She predeceased him about eleven years ago. They settled on a farm on the Goshen line, Stanley, 47 years ago, and where he continued to reside until his death. It was then all woods, but by perseverance and industry, he soon converted it into a comfortable home. He was a remarkable robust man, and few could stand so well the hardship and privations of pioneer life. He was a sociable, genial man and a good neighbor. He was a constant member of the Presbyterian Church, and a lifelong and active Conservative in politics, and a worthy Orangemen. He was reputed to be one of the best fifers in Ontario, and was very proud of his accomplishment. A family of six sons are left to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate father. Mr. Armstrong was in every respect a good and worthy man, and was of a kind and friendly disposition. He had borne the burden and heat of the day a long time. We have reason to believe that he is gone to the home of the blessed, there to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; full of years and beloved by all who knew him.

Interesting Stories:

"Rainey walked 90 miles to Hamilton Ontario to get repairs for the reaper" A note found on some miscellaneous correspondence.

"My dad remembered his grandfather weaving, by candlelight, there in the house on the Goshen" This story is related by Rose May (Armstrong) Wilson, Dawson Creek, BC

The Farm at Lot 13 Concession 11 Stanley Township, Huron, County.
Some of the land in Stanley Township was granted by The Crown to the Canada Company as early as May 31, 1830 with more being granted on July 18, 1831, still more on November 2, 1832. These lands were in the east part of the Township and did not include concession number eleven. It was on May 5, 1838 that a large portion of the Township was granted to the Canada Company, this grant included concession eleven, which is known as the Goshen Line.
We don’t know exactly what year David came to Homestead the land, but we do know that Rainey arrived in 1852. Lot 13 Con 11, consisting of 100 acres was deeded to David Armstrong by the Canada Company on June 16, 1854. A few days latter, on June 27, 1854 David sold the South half of Lot 13 to his brother Rainey Armstrong. On that same day, June 27, 1854 Rainey granted a mortgage to his brother David for the 50 acre farm. On May 2, 1860 Rainey paid off the mortgage to his brother David, and took a mortgage in the amount of $700.00 with other parties. On January 4, 1892 Rainey discharged the mortgage.
On March 4, 1892 Rainey deeded the farm to his son Robert. Then on Feb 28, 1895 Robert sold the farm to his brother George Armstrong for $2,500.00.
The south half of Lot 13 was next owned by George’s son Lornie Armstrong. It was during this time that the north half of lot 13 was again combined to be a 100 acre farm owned by Lornie.
The farm was then bought by Floyd Armstrong and his wife Jean. It is now lived on by Floyd and Jean’s son Gregory and his wife Patricia, Gregory is a great-great grandson of Raniey and is raising a fifth generation Armstrong family, on land that has been continually in the Armstrong name since 1854, a total of 152 years.

General Notes (Wife)

Recollections of a Great Granddaughter: Rose May (Armstrong) Wilson, Dawson Creek BC

I was told this story about my great grandmother Armstrong. I don't know what it has gained or lost in the telling. Apparently she smoked a corn cob pipe (definitely not acceptable in those days). She was scrubbing the kitchen floor and enjoying her pipe at the same time when one of the kids rushed in to tell her that the minister had come to visit. In fact he was close behind the youngster. What to do? Quick as a wink she dunked the corn cob pipe in the pail of scrub water. Then greeted the minister.
Married at Antrim, Ireland

General Notes for Child Allen ARMSTRONG

It has been hard to prove the full story of Allen's life and his descendants for two reasons. Firstly, most of his life was lived before Canadian Confederation and the start of civil record keeping in Ontario. Secondly, it was found that his living descendants did not want to provide information about the family.

Some information that has been determined is as follows:

The family Bible of his brother Robert Armstrong, records his death as Oct. 8 1884.

On the 1881 Census for Stanley Township, Huron County: Allen is not recorded with other members of the Armstrong family as is Rainey, Rosie (father & mother) James, Wilson & Robert (3 brothers). If in fact Allen was born in 1839 he would have been 41 years of age in 1881 and would probably have been gone from the home. While in 1881 his brothers, James would have been 36, Wilson 25 and Robert 21. We know that Wilson was married in 1883 and Robert married in 1886 and therefore would have been living at home.

At the Ontario Archives on November 4, 2003, a Death Registration: MS: 935 Reel 37 Reg. #10297 for an Allen Armstrong was found. Date of Death Oct. 9, 1884. Age 44. Place of Registration was, County of Middlesex, Division - City of London. It must be noted that the death date on the registration is Oct. 9, 1884. From the Bible it is Oct. 8, 1884. If he was age 44 at time of death in 1884, he would have been born in about 1839 or 1840. The family Bible said he was born Feb. 12, 1839.

On January 14, 2004, a newspaper account was found, N-336, Reel #37:
London Free Press Evening Edition - Friday, Oct. 10, 1884.
Died: Armstrong - In this city on the 9th of October. Allen Armstrong, aged 44 years. The funeral will leave the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. F. Pryce, 388 William Street on Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. Friends and acquaintances will please attend without further intimation. Seaforth & Clinton papers please copy.

January 14, 2004 on Film N-352, Reel #4:
Clinton New Era - Oct.17 1884 (Pg. 1 Col. 6)
Died: Armstrong - In London, on the 9th. Allen Armstrong, aged 44 years.

On February 11, 2004 at the Ontario Archives
On the 1871 Census - Film: C9906 District #10 for City of London Sub. Division C Ward 3 Page #3.
An Allen Armstrong is seen at dwelling #27. This location appears to be a hotel operated by a J H Ryan, age 43 and his wife Maria age 41 along with their 7 children, ages 20 down to 4. The occupation listed for J H Ryan is, Hotel Keeper. Thirty-five other persons lived at this dwelling, including Allen Armstrong. His age is given as 28 and his occupation is listed as "Shoemaker" The 35 persons are listed with occupations of various trades. Seven, including Allen are listed as Shoemakers.

On February 11, 2004 at the Ontario Archives
The London City Directory for 1886 was searched and at the address, 388 William St. a Frederick W Pryce is found. This is the name and address mentioned in the death notice for Allen seen above.

On February 11, 2004 at the Ontario Archives
London - Mount Pleasant Cemetery records were searched. This was done on the bases of Elmore Stephenson's taped interview with Rosie (Armstrong) Collins made in 1979, Rosie would have been Allen's niece, and the fact that Rosie said "Allen was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in London" a check of the Cemetery records on micro-film was made. Allen Armstrong's burial was not found. However the burial of a Pryce family was found as follows:.
MS: 451, Reel #71
London Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Section: R Row: 3
Pryce, Frederick W.
Born Feb. 8, 1859 Died Feb. 22, 1923
His wife
Rosena Pryce
Born April 9, 1860 Died Sept. 4, 1941
Chester Pryce 1881-1935
Albert Pryce 1890-1942

Until proven otherwise it is the opinion of this researcher that Allen died in London on October 9, 1884 and was buried in a plot owned by his in-laws.

General Notes for Child David ARMSTRONG

Obituary: Evening News, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. October 21, 1915. Page 1.
Soo Pioneer Is Taken By Death.
David Armstrong, for 51 years a resident of Chippewa county, and for the past three years prior to May 1 of this year, sanitary officer and meat inspector in this city, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. D A McLeod in Painesdale yesterday. He was born in Scotland (note) and was 79 years old.
Two weeks ago Mr Armstrong left this city for a short visit at the home of his daughter in Painesdale. The body arrived in the Soo this Morning accompanied by Mrs. McLeod.
The deceased is survived by his daughter and one son, William J Armstrong, 105 South Ashmun Street, from whose residence the funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. O P Ellis will officiate, Interment will be made in Riverside Cemetery,
(Note: Should read - He was born in--- Ireland)

General Notes for Child William ARMSTRONG

Obituary:
Bay City Times, Bay City, Michigan - July 30, 1915
After an illness if eight months, William Armstrong of 232 North Madison Avenue, died at his home last night at the age of 65 years.
Mr. Armstrong was born in Ireland and came to Canada with his parents when a child. In 1867 he went to Minnesota and then to Missouri, where he married. In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong moved to Bay City and have made this city their permanent home.
Surviving Mr. Armstrong are his wife and two children, W. W. Armstrong and Mrs. J. H. Butterfield.

Recollections of stories handed down in the family by a great-granddaughter, Jean (Tracy) Dembeck:
William was a heavy drinker and was abusive when drunk. Daughter Eva would go downtown in Bay City near the river front to the saloons begging her father to come home. Eva often jumped into fights between her parents trying to help her mother. As a result, Eva became quite religious and active in the Baptist Church.

General Notes for Child George ARMSTRONG

Obituary from newspaper clipping:
On Sunday, May 19th there passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Stephenson, Mr. George Armstrong, in his 81st year. He had been in failing health for some time and about two weeks ago had a stroke from which he never recovered, despite all that loving care could do for him. He was the last surviving member of the family of the late Ranie Armstrong, seven brothers and one sister having predeceased him. He was born on the Armstrong homestead in Stanley , June 17, 1854, where he grew up, and many interesting incidents could he relate of those early days. He was a man of strong physique and did his full share in the pioneer work of the country. In 1877 he was united in marriage to Jane Weston and later resided on a farm near Dungannon, moving with his family to the old home in Stanley in 1895. In 1901 his wife passed away and in 1922 his eldest son Ranie died in Saskatchewan. He continued on the farm until about 14 years ago when he moved to Goderich, then later he moved to Egmondville for a few years, but for the past three years he has made his home with his children, five of whom survive, Mrs. Ed Boyes, Mrs. D.J. Stephenson, Mrs. Geo McClinchey and Lorne of Stanley and George of Tuckersmith. There are also 17 Grand children and 6 great grand children. The funeral was held on Tuesday, Rev. G.H. Bandy officiating. Interment in Bayfield cemetery. Six grandsons acted as pallbearers and the beautiful floral tribute spoke of the love and esteem held for the deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield of Bay City attended the funeral of the late Geo. Armstrong and are spending a few days with friends in Stanley.

By Gwen Patterson, 2006.
George was born on June 17, 1854, the seventh child of Rainey and Rosey Armstrong. He was the first of their children to be born in Canada. He attended S.S. #5, Stanley, a little frame school house partly covered in tin shingles built on the south east corner of Lot 12, Con. XI. The school lot had been purchased from the Canada Company in 1854, and the rest of the farm would eventually belong to George's father, Rainey Armstrong, and then George's brother, Wilson would own it. Like all pioneer children, George grew up doing his share of the farm work. There would be chores to do; feeding pigs, milking cows, feeding hens, caring for horses, planting, haying, and harvesting of crops. When he was old enough, he would also help with clearing the forest to create the fields of the farm. But there would be time for fun too. There would be little brothers and a little sister to play with. There would also be music; for his Dad played the fife, and there were uncles and neighbours that certainly played the fiddle! It was a tough, but good time to be a pioneer lad. George was strong, healthy, and handsome with a round face and head of thick dark hair.
On February 01, 1877 George married Jane Eleanor Weston. Jane was born on April 24, 1856 in a log house that her father built in 1836 (and which still stands and is occupied to this day) in Goderich Twp. She was the daughter of George and Ellen "Evelyn" (Cronin) Weston. Jane's father was one of the early settlers in Goderich Township, having arrived from the Niagara area in 1832 to take possession from the Canada Company, of Lots 33 and 34 on Concession V. By the time Jane was married, her father owned 238 acres in Goderich Twp. and another 40 in West Wawanosh. He operated a saw mill and had the first waterwheels in the area.
George and Jane lived in Goderich Twp. for a few years where the first three children of their family were born. On November 01, 1877 their first daughter Eliza Jane was born, then on June 16, 1879, Eva Eleanor was born and on September 07, 1880, Annie May was born. The family moved to West Wawanosh Twp. probably to Lot 16, Con.I, the property owned by his father-in-law, not far from Nile and Dungannon. It was there that their first son, Rainey, was born on January 12, 1883. Their fifth child, George Robert was born May 01, 1890 and their last, Lawrence "Lorne" Wilson was born on September 25, 1892.
In 1895, George and Jane purchased the Armstrong homestead in Stanley Twp. from George's youngest brother Robert. The property had been deeded by father Rainey to youngest son Robert, and George purchased it for $2500.00. That summer George and Jane moved the family into the grand stone house. The girls, who were teenagers by now, could not have been too happy to leave behind all their school friends and neighbours, but the boys, 12, 5 and 3 must have viewed it as a great adventure. A niece recalled that the family moved with all their possessions, by horse and wagon, and once they had arrived, George's brother Wilson and sister-in-law Catherine had food ready and they stabled the horses for the night. It must have been a great "homecoming" for George!
The family soon settled in and the children quickly make new friends. There were also lots of cousins living on the Goshen Line! The younger children would now attend S.S. #5, Stanley, the very school that their Dad had attended. It was about this time that the school was remodeled with a brick exterior, shed on the back and porch on the front. Of course there were still the 'outhouses'!
George, a man of strong physique, took pride in his farm and especially in his horses. There are photos of him proudly showing off his team. Jane was highly respected in the neighbourhood. Her kind and genial disposition won for her very many friends. The family was doing well.
In the summer of 1898, there was a pretty wedding when their second daughter, Eva, married David Stephenson. There was soon eager anticipation for the arrival of the first grandchild. But tragedy was around the corner. In February of 1899, George's father Rainey died. Then, Jane, after a brief illness (internal hemorrhage) of about three weeks, died on February 13, 1901. She was in her 45th year. The family and community were shocked and saddened. Jane was buried in the Bayfield Cemetery on February 15, 1901. A large concourse of family and friends followed to the last resting place.
Eliza Jane, who had set wedding plans for early that year, had to postpone the date. She and Ed Boyes would be married on August 28th, 1901. Youngest daughter Annie would marry George McClinchey on Jan. 14, 1903
George was now alone on the farm with his sons; Rainey, age 20, George, 13 and Lorne 11. We can only imagine how sad and difficult it must have been for them all. Thankfully, daughter Eva was just down the road, Eliza was living on the Bronson Line near Blake and Annie was near Varna, and there were lots more relatives living on the Goshen line. Life would go on; grandchildren were born, crops would be planted and harvested, livestock cared for, community events attended and years would pass.
In the summer of 1906, George's eldest son Rainey headed out West to Saskatchewan. There he homesteaded near Rosetown. He built a small frame house, and eventually a small barn. He cleared and worked the land, planted crops and harvested them. He made several trips home over the next few years to see family and friends.
On March 25, 1914, George Robert, at the age of 24, married Pearl Zapfe. Pearl was born on February 24, 1894, the eldest daughter of Henry and Diana Zapfe from Blake. Rainey was home for the wedding and stood up with his brother. That summer, George and Pearl went out West to help with the crops. Pearl was pregnant by the fall and so she returned to her father-in-law's house in Stanley and in December, their son Bruce was born in the stone house. George Robert returned from the West and he and Pearl would find and purchase their first farm in Tuckersmith Twp.
By 1914, the First World War had begun and news of the battles and losses of lives was certainly reaching the ears of Canadians. George's youngest son Lorne was the right age to be conscripted, but before that could happen, Lorne enlisted. On May 9, 1916 Lorne travelled to London and joined the Canadian Army, 161st Battalion from Huron. He left for England in November of that year. George would have been alone now on the farm, but thankfully, Rainey had returned from the West to see his brother off. He would remain 'home' for at least the next three years. In the spring of 1917, Rainey married Margaret Wheatley and they rented a farm on the Mill Road. George was now alone in the stone house on the Goshen. Sadness continued to 'dog' George: a baby grand-daughter, Grace (George and Pearl) died in Feb. 1916, and a baby grand-son, Arthur, (Rainey and Maggie) in Jan. 1918.
Family, relatives and friends were near enough to keep him occupied and letters would inform him of Lorne's state....though the true horrors could not be told. Then in October 1918, just a few weeks before the end of the war, news arrived that Lorne had been wounded. He was returned to Canada, but spent most of a year in the Hospital in London. It was December, 1919 before he would return to the farm with his Dad. It was now just George and his son Lorne. There was no support system for returned soldiers in those days as there is today. It can only be imagined how difficult a time George must have had in trying to support his son in his efforts to cope with the unimaginable images and nightmares of that horrendous experience known as WW I. Take some time soon and read about Vimy, Hill 70, Lens, Passchenaele, Amiens, Cambrai and Canal du Nord. All were part of Lorne's experiences!
Then another tragedy! Rainey and Maggie, with their little daughter Olive, had returned to Saskatchewan and on September 22, 1921, Rainey died after a brief illness. It must have been almost too much to bear! It was about this time too, that George, about 68 years old, decided that it was time to leave the farm. He moved into Goderich and Lorne continued on with the farming. It is quite probable that his Dad would return often to help out when needed. In 1927, Lorne married Ada Dietz and together they continued farming on the Goshen. George would lose another little grandson, Orville, (George and Pearl) in April, 1927, and a little grand daughter Beryl, (George and Pearl) in 1930. He moved from Goderich to a little house in Egmondville on the Mill Road. It was closer to family members. By the early 1930's, in failing health, George was cared for by his daughters and remaining sons. There were five left, and he lived a couple of months with each family. They cared for him until he passed away after suffering from a stroke. He died at the home of his daughter Eva, on May 19, 1935. He was survived by his five remaining children, 17 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Thus was the life of George Armstrong, seventh child of Rainey and Rosey Armstrong, first born in their new home of Canada. As this is written today, in the year 2006, one hundred and fifty two years after his birth, it can be recorded that he has left 367 descendants! Of those, 246 are direct blood descendants. There were six children, 21 grandchildren (17 survived infancy), 37 great-grand children, and 73 great-great- grandchildren, 105 great-great-great grandchildren and 4 great-great-great-great grandchildren. And the eldest one is his last remaining grandchild: Mabel Armstrong Whiting, daughter of his son Rainey, who died so young out in Saskatchewan!

General Notes for Child Wilson ARMSTRONG

Recollections of a Granddaughter: Rose May (Armstrong) Wilson, Dawson Creek BC
I never remember my grandfather as a hard worker. He played the violin and especially the fife very well. His summer job when we were there was mainly sitting under the shade trees waiting for his sons to drive in with loads of hay. Then he hitched "Darkie" the horse to the hay slings and when he urged Darkie forward the hay slings were deposited in the loft of the barn. He was also well read on the Bible.

A story told by a son: James Glasgow Armstrong and provided by a Granddaughter: Rose May (Armstrong) Wison, Dawson Creek BC
There was an Orangman's celebration planned for Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Grandpa was invited to play his fife there. He Accepted, he was offered a small amount of cash and an all expense paid trip by rail for himself and Grandma. I also found out that my dad drummed for him. Dad was living in Saskatoon then.

General Notes for Child Robert ARMSTRONG

The Farm at Lot 5 Concession 11 Stanley Township, Huron, County.
On February 20, 1850 Lot 5 Con.11 was deeded to David Elder by the Canada Company. Then on October 18, 1853 the 100 acres of Lot 5 was placed in the name of William Sherritt by way of a conveyance.
It was on March 5, 1886 that Robert Armstrong bought Lot 5 from William Sherritt. At that time Robert granted a mortgage to Alex McMurchie for $2500.00 to buy the lot. Robert discharged that mortgage on April 5, 1899. On January 11, 1918, when Robert and his wife Emily retired to Clinton, the farm was sold to Robert's son John Allen Armstrong for $8000.00. Then in 1959, after the death of John Armstrong the farm was sold by the estate to John's son Howard Armstrong. Again in 1998 after Howard’s death, the farm was bought by Howard’s son Dean and his wife Kim. Dean and Kim are raising their family at Lot 5, Concession 11 at this time.
It is to be noted that this farm has been in the Armstrong name now for over 120 years, and that four generations of Armstrong’s have been raised on this farm on the Goshen Line.

Obituary (Clinton Paper): Mr. Robert Armstrong
Clinton lost one of her most valued citizens this week, in the death of Mr. Robert Armstrong, on July 24th, at the comparatively early age of 60 years and 7 months. Since moving to Clinton three and a half years ago, Mr. Armstrong so identified himself with the interests of the town, took so kindly an interest in neighbors and citizens in general that his friendly manner and cordial greeting, will be missed sadly by a large circle of friends who deeply sympathize with his family in the loss of a devoted husband and father.
He leaves beside his widow, who so devotedly attended him during his illness, one son at the home farm, and two daughters at home in town. Mr. Armstrong was the youngest of eight sons of the late Rainey Armstrong, of the Goshen Line, Stanley Township. Of these eight sons, but two are now living. One of them, John A. died in Clinton about four years ago.
Mr. Armstrong has been ill since last November and was quite aware of the serious nature of his malady, but throughout the long weeks and months of failing strength, he was an inspiration to all who were able to do him any service. He thought always of others first.
he funeral on July 26 was attended by great numbers of friends from Exeter, Seaforth, Hensall, Zurich and at Bayfield, where interment was made, there was a large assemblage of waiting friends, who had gone there direct from the neighborhood of his old home in Stanley. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Anderson, of Ontario Street Methodist Church, assisted by Rev. Mr. Snowden, of Clinton, and Rev. Mr. Foster, of Varna, Misses Treleaven and Gibbings and Mr. Fred Thompson, members of Ontario street choir, contributed some beautiful music to the service at the home. The pallbearers were Messrs. J. Ford, D Cantelon, J Steep, C Hale, W Mair, and A Welsh. Many beautiful flowers were placed around the casket as tributes from friends who wished to express their regard and sense of loss.
Friends from a distance who were in attendance were: Mrs. Lloyd Armstrong, from Flint, Mich.; Mrs. Butterfield, Bay City, Mich.: Mr. W. H. and Mr. Austin Stephenson from Marlette, Mich.: Mrs. Tucker, London: Mr. And Mrs. Haines and Family, St Marys: Mr. and Mrs. John Metcalf and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Metcalf, from Wingham.

Rainey Armstrong and Margaret Ann Wheatley

Husband Rainey ARMSTRONG

         Born: 12 Jan 1883 - W Wawanosh, Twp. Ont
   Christened: 
         Died: 22 Sep 1921 - Rosetown, Sask.
       Buried: 1921 - Rosetown, Sask.

       Father: George ARMSTRONG (1854-1935)
       Mother: Eva "Jane" Eleanor WESTON (1856-1901)

     Marriage: 7 Mar 1917 - Seaforth, Ont.

Noted events in his life were:

• Burial Location

In the Rosetown Cemetery, Blk. #1, Plot #55, Grave W4.

• Occupation

Farmer

Wife Margaret Ann WHEATLEY

         Born: 8 Jan 1893 - Clinton Ontario
   Christened: 
         Died: 14 Mar 1961 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
       Buried: 16 Mar 1961 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

       Father: William George WHEATLEY (1860-1916)
       Mother:

Noted events in her life were:

• Burial Location

In the Woodlawn Cemetery

• Death Location

At Home, 922 Avenue H, Saskatoon.

Children

1 M Arthur Wheatley ARMSTRONG

         Born: 18 Jan 1918 - Tuckersmith, Huron, Ont.
   Christened: 
         Died: 21 Jan 1918 - Tuckersmith, Huron, Ont.
       Buried: Jan 1918 - Clinton, Ont.

2 F Olive Irene ARMSTRONG

         Born: 31 May 1919 - Tuckersmith Twp., Huron Co., Ont.
   Christened: 
         Died: 1 Feb 1994 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
       Buried: 4 Feb 1994 - Saskatoon, Sask.

3 F Mabel ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

       Spouse: John WHITING (living)

General Notes (Husband)

Written for the Armstrong History book by Gwen Patterson with notes from Ron Armstrong.
Rainey Armstrong and his wife Margaret Wheatley: "True Pioneers - Homesteaders in Saskatchewan"
Rainey Armstrong was born on January 12, 1883 in West Wawanosh Twp., Huron County, when his family lived on a farm near Nile and Dungannon. He was the first son born to George and Jane (Weston) Armstrong. He had three older sisters who adored him and undoubtedly 'spoiled' him when he was little. He grew up to be a handsome young man with a smiling and genial disposition. He possessed musical talent and was very popular with his many friends. He was twelve when he moved with his family, as they relocated to the Armstrong homestead on the Goshen Line in 1895. Here he easily made new friends and had many cousins near by.
He was a young man, not afraid of working hard, and he had an adventuring spirit. He must have listened with enthusiasm to the stories and experiences, either told or written in letters home, by uncles and older cousins who had either gone to the West or moved to Michigan. By 1906, at the age of 23, he had made up his mind to try Homesteading in Saskatchewan. And so his adventure would begin.

Written in 2002 by Ron Armstrong.
At this point in time, almost a century later, it is hard for us to imagine what life was like for these hard working and enduring pioneers. We can investigate documents from that time to help us understand the sequence of events that took place. That is, look at land records, sworn statements and personal knowledge of actions by these Homesteaders in the early 1900's. We must then let our minds recall all we have seen in pictures and stories we have heard and read, to get a true feel for what our forefathers went through as pioneers, homesteading in western Canada. The following paragraphs give us a brief glimpse of such a pioneer, Rainey Armstrong.
In a sworn statement in support of his application for Homestead Patent for the SE 1/4 Section 36, Township 30, Range 15, West of the third Meridian, signed at Zealandia Saskatchewan on Nov 14, 1910. We see that he made entry to that Homestead on November the 12, 1907. His age then was 24 years. Though not certain of the year that Rainey first went to Saskatchewan, we do read in the sworn statement, when asked the question. "Have you had any other homestead entry? If so, described it, and say what became of it" His answer was, "yes - the Southwest 30-30-17, I abandoned it" This would indicate he had homesteaded on other land nearby prior to 1907, possibly starting in 1906.
He took up residence on the property at SE 36 - 30 - 15 on April 23, 1908, living in a tent while building his house, completing it in May of 1908. The house was constructed of lumber and measured 12 by 14 feet, costing $125.00. The only stock he owned in 1908 was three oxen. The record shows that in 1908 he broke 23 acres of land and cropped 5 acres. The following year, 1909 he broke 23 more acres and cropped a total of 23 acres. Then in 1910 he did not break any more land but cropped 46 acres that year. The homestead at SE 36 - 30 - 15 was registered in Rainey's name on January 12, 1911.
Again, in a sworn statement in support of his application for a Purchased Homestead Patent for the NE 1/4 Section 36, Township 30, Range 15 West of the third Meridian, signed at Rosetown, Saskatchewan on November 16, 1915. We see his intention to expand his holdings. He was then 32 years of age and said in this application that he has homestead since November 1906. The application indicates that he saw this additional land as valuable for hay and pasture. The application goes on to indicate that his 12ft X 14ft frame house is now valued at $175.00, and that he has now built a frame stable 14ft X 16ft value $60.00 and four granaries, valued at $350.00.
In a supplementary statement in support of his application for Patent for the NE 1/4 36 - 30 - 15 signed at Rosetown on January 26, 1916 he is now seen to have built a $300.00 frame extension to the house, total value of the house is $475.00. In the years from 1913 to 1917 he broke and cropped land as follows, 1913 broke 8 acres - cropped 8, 1914 broke 7 1/2 - cropped 15 1/2, 1915 broke 0 - cropped 15 1/2, 1916 broke 0 - cropped 15 1/2 and in 1917 broke 37 - cropped 52 1/2. By 1917 he had done fencing of about 100 acres at a value of $400.00 and owned six horses. On November 30, 1917 the Lands Patents Branch of The Department of the Interior Canada issued a patent in the name of Rainey Armstrong for NE 36 - 30 - 15.
It is unknown how many trips Rainey made back to Ontario to visit friends and his parents living on the Goshen, Lot 13, Con. 11 of Stanley Township. We know that he returned in February of 1914 to stand up with his brother George at his wedding to Pearl Zapfe. He also returned in the fall of 1916 to visit family and to see his brother Lorne off to the war in Europe. He did make one trip in the same year he took ownership of his second property in Saskatchewan to marry Margaret Ann Wheatley on March 7, 1917.
Margaret, born January 08, 1893 in Clinton, was the daughter of William George and Margaret Ann (Steep) Wheatley. Margaret's mother, Margaret Ann Steep, died January 10, 1893, two days after the birth of her little daughter, leaving William George Wheatley with a baby to raise. There must have been relatives to help out, but when she was three years old, her father remarried. On February 26, 1896 he married Mary Lavina Armstrong, daughter of John A. and Ellen (Clark) Armstrong. Maggie would be raised in the family that would eventually include a half brother Percy.
Rainey and Maggie had a son, Arthur Wheatley Armstrong born to them on January 18, 1918 in Tuckersmith Township. Arthur lived only three days and is buried in the Clinton Cemetery. Rainey and Margaret's second child, Olive Irene Armstrong was born in Tuckersmith Township on May 31, 1919 as well.
The sad point about the life of this hard working pioneer, is that on September 22, 1921, with his pregnant wife and young daughter Olive at his side, he died at age 38 in Rosetown Saskatchewan. He is buried in Rosetown. He would never see his little daughter Mabel, who was born two and a half months later on December 11, 1921.

Maggie carried on the best she could. She wrote home to her father-in-law the following letter:

Rosetown
Sept. 26/21

Dear Grandpa

Just a few lines before going back to the farm. Rainey died on Sept. 22 had a peaceful ending. I stayed right by his bedside the last couple of days and nights but he suffered terrible but looked nice when gone. I got an oak casket $250 and he got some lovely flowers. The only one he asked for was a Mrs. Campell so if you knew who she was. I have hired a man and women to come to help run the place and then in the spring this man intends renting it from me. Jim Armstrong was the only relative here for the funeral. Well I must close and go home it will be lonely for me but I had one good husband and that is all I need. I have my little girl left to help me now so drop me a line some time and come out to see us some time. Remember me to all. This is a little remembrance of Rainey. I got one for you and myself. So bye, bye.
Maggie and Olive

July 2002. A comment on the above letter by: Ron Armstrong. It has been typed from an original letter that Barb (McConnell) Talbot has in her home in London. It is typed as found in the original hand written letter with only a few corrections to punctuation and one spelling correction. The name, Mrs. Campell has been left spelled as found in the original letter.

A Newspaper obituary at time of Rainey's death gives further details and insight.

Obituary: Rosetown Eagle - Sept. 22, 1921 (page 1)
Rainey Armstrong Died This Morning
This morning the grim reaper called to the Great Beyond another of the early settlers of this district in the person of Rainey -Armstrong at the age of 37 years, 8 months and 14 days. He had been seriously ill for a few weeks from which there could be little hope of his recovery, though he battled bravely and all that possibly could be was done to save him. Kind and tender hands cared for him, but it was an unequal struggle and this morning life passed away.
The deceased came here in 1906, three years before there was any sign of the starting of the town of Rosetown, and took up a homestead three miles and a half north. In the fall of 1916 he went east to spent the winter with his father and friends at Brucefield, Ont., and the following March he married Miss Margaret Winkler (sic), of Clinton. They came to Rosetown that spring, he rented his farm and they returned east and resided at Brucefield until last spring, when they returned here to reside on and operate the half section farm north of Rosetown.
Rainey was very popular among his old friends and in the early days with his musical gift and smiling, genial disposition, was ever in demand at the dances and social gatherings. Besides a young wife, he leaves a young daughter, his father, George Armstrong, Goderich, Ont., two brothers, George in Brucefield and Lorne in Varna, Ont., and three sisters, Mrs. Edward Boyce, Brucefield, Mrs. David Stephenson, Varna, and Mrs. Geo. McClinchey, Varna. The whole community is saddened by the death of Mr. Armstrong and extends their deep sympathy to the sorrowing widow and relatives of the deceased.
Funeral services are to be held on Saturday afternoon at 2,30 at Chas. Taylor's undertaking parlors and interment will be made in the Rosetown Cemetery.

Note: In the above obiturary the name Winkler should read, Wheatley. The above newspaper article was sent by Mabel (Armstrong) Whiting (daughter of Rainey) to Gwen Patterson on Aug. 8, 2002. Upon questioning, Mabel verified that her mother's name had been misspelled in the article.

General Notes (Wife)

After the death of her first husband Rainey Armstrong in 1921 at their homestead near Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Maggie moved the house into the town of Rosetown and rented the land to the Machan brothers; neighbours who lived across the road. In 1926 the family moved into Saskatoon and Maggie remarried. Her second husband was William Wheatley. Maggie and William would have a son, James Edward. Maggie lived the rest of her life in Saskatoon. Her daughter Mabel and son Jimmy would grow up and move on. Her daughter Olive, handicapped from birth, required care and Maggie provided for her.
Maggie died at home on March 14, 1961. She is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Death Notice: Clinton News-Record Thurs. March 23, 1961
Wheatley - At her residence, 922 Avenue H, North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Tuesday March 14, 1961, Margaret Ann Wheatley, native of Clinton, beloved wife of James E Wheatley, in her 68th year. Service from Park Funeral Chapel, Saskatoon, on Thursday afternoon, March 16, by the Rev. E A King, and interment in Woodlawn Cemetery at this city.

Death Notice: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Wednesday, March 15, 1961
Wheatley - The passing of Mrs. Margaret Ann Wheatley in her 68th year, beloved wife of James E. Wheatley of 922 Avenue H, North, Saskatoon, occurred at her late residence on Tuesday, March 14, 1961. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 16 at 1:30 PM from Parker Funeral Chapel, conducted by the Rev. E. A. King. Surviving are her husband; two daughters, Mrs. John T. Whiting (Mabel) of Branford, Ontario, and Miss Olive Irene of Saskatoon; one son James Edward (Jr.) of Saskatoon; and one brother Percy Wheatley of Toronto, Ontario. The late Mrs. Wheatley was born at Clinton, Ontario, and came to the Rosetown district in 1917 and resided their untilled 1926 at which time she came to Saskatoon where she has resided until her passing. Mrs. Wheatley was a former member of the Happy Hustler Circle of Mayfair United Church. Interment will take place in the family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery.

General Notes for Child Olive Irene ARMSTRONG

Olive Irene Armstrong was born May 31, 1919 in Tuckersmith Twp. Ontario. She was the daughter of Rainey and Maggie (Wheatley) Armstrong. At a very early age she moved with her parents to Saskatchewan in the Rosetown district where her parents homesteaded. Her father died when Olive was just two and a half years old. She moved into Rosetown with her mother and little sister Mabel.
Olive was a 'slow learner' and was taken out of school. She had some special needs as the result of brain surgery and was helped by her mother and step-father over the years. She did not work outside of the house and she lived with her mother and step-dad. When her mother passed away in 1961, she continued to live with the step-dad, James Wheatley. When he died in 1987, she went to live in a home care facility; Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon. She never married.
Olive died suddenly at a local hospital in Saskatoon on February 1, 1994, in her 75th year. She is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Obituary: Saskatoon Paper, February, 1994
Olive Irene Armstrong passed away suddenly at a local hospital on Tuesday, February 1, 1994. Olive was born May 31, 1919 at Tuckersmith Township, Ontario. At an early age she moved with her parents to Saskatchewan in the Rosetown district. In 1928 she moved to Saskatoon where she has resided since. She has been a resident of Sherbrooke Community Centre for the past seven years.
Olive is survived by her sister, Mabel (John) Whiting and family of Brantford, Ontario and a brother, Jim (Betty) Wheatley and family of Saskatoon. She was predeceased by her father, Rainey Armstrong in September 1921; her mother, Margaret Wheatley in March 1961 and her step-father, James E. Wheatley in January 1987.
Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, February 7th at 2:45 PM in the second floor chapel of Sherbrooke Community Centre conducted by Rev. Ray Purdie. Arrangements are in care of Park Funeral Chapel.

Rainey Allen Armstrong

Husband Rainey Allen ARMSTRONG

         Born: 25 Aug 1893 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley Twp. Huron, Ont. Can
         Died: 11 Apr 1977 - Moose Jaw, Sask, Can
       Buried: 14 Apr 1977 - Moose Jaw, Sask, Can
      Child-Par.Rel.: Mother:  (Relationship: Step)

       Father: Wilson ARMSTRONG (1856-1932)
       Mother: Catherine "Ann" McCLINCHEY (1865-1941)

Noted events in his life were:

• Burial Location

Blk. 20, Lot 123, Grave 1, Rosedale Cemetery, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

• Church

Methodist

• Marital Status

Single

• Occupation

Grain buyer

• Residences

Stanley, Twp; Moose Jaw, Sask. Can.

• Retirement, 1958

From the United Grain Growers Association as grain buyer.

Wife

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

Children

General Notes (Husband)

A note in the Peck-McClinchey-Rouatt Saga:
Rainey left home about age 15, he worked as a grain inspector for grain elevators in Saskatchewan.

Recollections of a Niece: Rose May (Armstrong) Wilson, Dawson Creek BC
We knew Uncle Rainey better than anyone else in Dad's family. This storey is told about when I was a toddler, and mother and dad were living in a two room little house in Kerrobert Saskatchewan. Uncle Rainey was recuperating from typhoid fever and had come to stay with mother and dad. Uncle Rainey was resting on a couch in the Kitchen and Mother was baking ginger cookies. When they started coming out of the oven I begged a cookie. Uncle Rainey asked for a bite. When I let him bite, all that was left was a slim crescent. They say I immediately bit his nose. He wouldn't let mother punish me. He said he deserved it but I was reminded of the incident for years.
He worked at the local creamery before moving to Eavesham, Saskatchewan near the Alberta border as a grain buyer for the United Grain Growers Company. In the summer time dad often drove us there in his Model T to visit on a Sunday. Uncle Rainey had his meals at a boarding house and he always took us there for dinner. What a treat! And then we could explore the elevator.
He spent many many Christmases with us. Often he arrived on the passenger train at 8:30 Christmas morning. We always waited present opening and breakfast for him.
He and dad were not only brothers but good friends. When dad was buying a Chevrolet Sedan car from the local druggist who was moving away, they went together to see the car. I wasn't all that old then and was more interested in the colour than anything else, so I asked. One said it was green and the other that it was grey, it turned out to be blue.
Uncle Rainey continued with the U.G.G.Co. In Assiniboia and Yorkton. He retired to Moose Jaw after years as a Superintendent and at that time the Company gave him a number of U.G.G. shares.

Obituary:
Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Wednesday, April 13, 1977
Armstrong - Monday, April 11, 1977. Mr. Rainey Allen Armstrong, late of the Empress Hotel, Moose Jaw, passed away aged 83 years. Born at Hensall, Ontario, he came to the Moose Jaw district in 1910. Mr. Armstrong was employed by the United Grain Growers Association as a grain buyer until retiring in 1958.
He is survived by 2 brothers John and Bob, and 2 sisters Rose and Maggie and by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services on Thursday at 2: 00 in the Parkview Funeral Chapel with Rev. Russell Young officiating. Interment at Rosedale Cemetery. R. E. Redpath and D. J. Campbell, funeral directors.

Rannie George Armstrong and Margaret Knetsch

Husband Rannie George ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

       Father: Bruce Weston ARMSTRONG (1914-1988)
       Mother: Jean "Bernice" McKELLAR (1925-2008)

     Marriage:

Wife Margaret KNETSCH (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

Children

1 F Pamela Marie ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

       Spouse: Greg CLARK (living)

2 M Bradley George ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

       Spouse: Debbie Lynn ANDREWS (living)

3 F Teresa Lynn ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

       Spouse: Kevin NAMINK (living)

4 F Dana Suzanne ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

       Spouse: Mike BRUINSMA (living)

Raye Alexander Armstrong and Dianne Catherine Koehler

Husband Raye Alexander ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

       Father: Robert "Allen" ARMSTRONG (1917-1991)
       Mother: Margaret Isabel BROADFOOT (1915-2003)

     Marriage:

Wife Dianne Catherine KOEHLER (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

Children

1 F Dana Dianne ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried: 
      Child-Par.Rel.: Father: Adopted, Mother: Adopted

       Spouse: Chadwick James SHANAHAN (living)

2 M Chadwick Raye ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried: 
      Child-Par.Rel.: Father: Adopted

Robert Armstrong and Emily Stephenson

Husband Robert ARMSTRONG

         Born: 12 Dec 1860 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened: 1860 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 24 Jul 1921 - Huron St. Clinton, Ont.
       Buried: 26 Jul 1921 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

       Father: Rainey ARMSTRONG (1818-1899)
       Mother: Rosey McKINSTREY (Abt 1817-1888)

     Marriage: 19 Oct 1886 - Brucefield, Huron Co, Ont, Can

Noted events in his life were:

• Burial Location

Bayfield Cemetery, 35A

• Church

Goshen United, Stanley Twp.; Ontario St. United, Clinton Ont.

• Occupation

Farmer, Stanley Twp. Huron, Ont

• Residences

Stanley, Twp. Lot 5 Con. 11; Huron St. Clinton, Ont

• Retirement, 1917

Retired from farming on Lot 5 Concession 11 in Stanley Township at age fifty-six.

Wife Emily STEPHENSON

         Born: 14 Jul 1868 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 5 Sep 1938 - Clinton, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: Sep 1938 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can.

Noted events in her life were:

• Burial Location

Bayfield Cemetery, 35A

• Church

Goshen United, Stanley Twp.; Ontario St. United, Clinton Ont.

• Occupation

Farm Wife and Mother

• Residences

Stanley, Twp; Clinton, Ont.

Children

1 F Infant ARMSTRONG

         Born: 5 Oct 1887 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 10 Oct 1887 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: Oct 1887 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

2 M George "Lloyd" ARMSTRONG

         Born: 8 Jun 1889 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can.
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 29 Oct 1917 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: 31 Oct 1917 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

       Spouse: Margaret REID (Abt 1894-Abt 1972)
         Marr: 25 Dec 1915 - Stanley, Huron, Ont.. (Death of one spouse)

3 M John Allen ARMSTRONG

          AKA: Jack
         Born: 2 Jun 1892 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened: 
         Died: 2 Sep 1959 - Hensall, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: 5 Sep 1959 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

       Spouse: Mary "Mabel" MOFFATT (1893-1958)
         Marr: 15 Nov 1916 - Seaforth, Huron, Ontario, Canada

4 F Anna Mae ARMSTRONG

          AKA: Annie
         Born: 10 Nov 1894 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 12 Jun 1956 - Clinton, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: 15 Jun 1956 - Clinton, Huron, Ont, Can

       Spouse: David Alexander KAY (1894-1975)
         Marr: 3 Dec 1924 - Clinton, Huron, Ont, Can

5 M Robert " Milton" ARMSTRONG

         Born: 4 Oct 1899 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 3 Mar 1910 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: Mar 1910 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

6 F Myrtle Emily ARMSTRONG

         Born: 13 Nov 1904 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 3 Feb 1944 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: Feb 1944 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

       Spouse: Lorne Robert McBRIDE (1904-1991)
         Marr: 8 Oct 1938 - Clinton, Huron, Ont, Can

General Notes (Husband)

General Notes (Wife)

Death notice (Clinton Paper): Armstrong
In Clinton, on Monday, September 5th, Emily Stephenson, wife of the la
te Robert Armstrong, aged 70 years.

Obituary: Mrs. Emily (Stephenson) Armstrong
Death claimed one of Clinton's best loved citizens on Monday when Emily Stephenson, wife of the late Robert Armstrong passed away after a short illness at the age of seventy years.
A daughter of the late John and Anne Stephenson she was born in Stanley Township on July 14, 1868. On October 19, 1886, she married Robert Armstrong who predeceased her nineteen years ago. They farmed in Stanley Township and twenty years ago retired and came to Clinton to live.
Mrs. Armstrong was a lady who made many friends. Quiet and unassuming, her cheery disposition and ready wit endeared her to young and old. In social work and church circles she was always ready to lend a helping hand and her passing is deeply mourned. A member of Ontario Street United Church, her talents were freely used in the work of the Women's Missionary Society and the Women's Association.
Left to mourn their loss are one son, John, Zurich; two daughters, Mrs. David Kay and Miss Myrtle, Clinton; three brothers, Ralph Stephenson, Varna; William H., Marlette, Mich.; and David, Bayfield; one sister, Mrs. David Armstrong, Pilot Mound, Manitoba. There are nine grandchildren.
A largely attended funeral was held in Ontario Street United Church yesterday afternoon conducted by Rev. G. G. Burton assisted by Mr. C. S. Hawke. The beauty of the service was enhanced by the singing of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Stephenson and Miss Athleen Morgan of Marlette, Mich., and the casket was banked with the many beautiful floral offerings.
Mrs. Armstrong was laid to rest in Bayfield cemetery. The pallbearers were Mr. D. H. McInnes, Lorne Murch, Robert Webster, George Elliott, John McNight and E. Paterson.
In addition to the large circle of Clinton friends who attended the funeral, friends and relatives were present from surrounding towns. Included in those from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Butterfield, Bay City, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Orville Stephenson, Miss A Morgan, Mrs. A. Wylie, Mr. W. H. Stephenson, Marlette, Mich., and Mrs. Paul Jahn, Flint, Mich.

Notes (Marriage)

Robert Armstrong, Age 26, residence Stanley, born in Stanley, bachelor and farmer was the son of Rainey and Rosey Armstrong married Emily Stephenson, Age 19, residence Stanley and born in Stanley, spinster was the daughter of John and Ann Stephenson. The marriage was witnessed by Wm H Stephenson, Stanley and Jane McClinchey, Stanley. The marriage took place on October 19, 1886 at Brucfield, Huron County. Robert was Presbyterian and Emily was Episcopalian. They were married by Rev. J H Simpson.

General Notes for Child John Allen ARMSTRONG

My father was a hard working farmer, having grown up on the farm of his father. He took over the farm when my grandfather retired to Clinton. He must have learned his lessons well, as he went on to be very successful. He was a strong man both in character as well as physically. He was successful enough, that as much of the modern machinery came into availability he would not necessarily the first to acquire the new equipment, but did soon add it to his farm operation.
He expected a lot of himself as he did of other people. He always had time to teach his family in work ethics as well as how to do the various farm work operations. He was a skilled horseman and trained his son’s in the same skill. He had many talents as a good farmer must have, repairman for broken implements, carpenter for building repairs and so on. No undertaking was too complicated for him to lead the way at; he always seemed to know just where to start and what to do. He was a good judge of livestock, raising many head of prime beef cattle.
Dad was not seen to be a real open and loving person, not because he did not love his children, but because there was not a lot of time for this affection and demonstrations of love on a busy farm. He did teach his family, respect, honesty and a strong belief in God.
He served as a director on the Hay Township Municipal Fire Insurance Board and was a founding member of the Ontario Bean Marketing Board. He also found time to be Board member of the Goshen United Church as well as a Sunday school teacher. He had somewhat strong feelings about Protestant – Catholic relationships, being rather closed minded about some things. His political persuasion was for the Progressive Conservative Party and at times made it very clear that, in his mind, that was the party to follow.
He always treated my Mother with the greatest respect and tried to make things as easy as possible for her. I don’t recall them doing a lot of fun things together but do recall how he would enjoy family gatherings such as the annual Stephenson Reunion held at Bayfield. They did, in later years travel to Florida and spend the winter there a couple of years.
My father, unfortunately suffer from severe asthma and was hospitalized often for treatment. He did continue to do most of the farm work and carried on until after my mother’s death. He suffered a stroke in the winter after my mother died and was never able to return to the farm. He died on September 2, 1959.
By Ron Armstrong

Funeral Notice
In Loving Memory of John A. Armstrong who passed away in Hensall on Wednesday September 2nd 1959 in his 68th year.
Remains are resting at the Bonthron Funeral Chapel Hensall. Funeral will take place Saturday September 5th. 1959 Service at 2:00 o'clock. Interment in Bayfield Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances please accept this intimation.

General Notes for Child Robert " Milton" ARMSTRONG

A Letter to his teacher
Zurich, Ont. Feb. 18, 1910.
To: Miss Campbell.

Dear Teacher:-
Received your note and thought I would answer and let you know how I am getting along.
I am pleased to say my ankle is improving I am able to walk a little. And I hope to be with you all soon.
No doubt I will be behind with my class but I will work hard to catch up.
Hoping to be with you soon.
I remain your true scholar. Milton Armstrong

Note: This letter to his teacher was given to Julie Armstrong by Campbell McKinley (Campbell's mother, was his teacher and had kept the letter in her diary).
Milton died less then one month after he wrote this letter.

Robert " Milton" Armstrong

Husband Robert " Milton" ARMSTRONG

         Born: 4 Oct 1899 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened:  - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 3 Mar 1910 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: Mar 1910 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can

       Father: Robert ARMSTRONG (1860-1921)
       Mother: Emily STEPHENSON (1868-1938)

Noted events in his life were:

• Burial Location

Bayfield Cemetery, 35A

• Education

Stanley, Huron, Ont., Can.

• Residences, Between 1899 and 1910

Lot 5 Con. 11 Stanley

Wife

         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried:

Children

General Notes (Husband)

Robert "Allen" Armstrong and Margaret Isabel Broadfoot

Husband Robert "Allen" ARMSTRONG

         Born: 18 Apr 1917 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened: 1917 - Stanley, Huron, Ont, Can
         Died: 28 Mar 1991 - Goderich, Huron, Ont, Can
       Buried: 30 Mar 1991 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont, Can.

       Father: John Allen ARMSTRONG (1892-1959)
       Mother: Mary "Mabel" MOFFATT (1893-1958)

     Marriage: 1 Oct 1938 - Seaforth, Huron, Ont. Can.

Noted events in his life were:

• Birth Location

At his parents home. Lot 5 Con 11 Stanley Twp. Huron Co.

• Burial Location

Bayfield Cemetery, 182F

• Church

Goshen United, Stanley Twp.; Victoria United Goderich

• Education

Stanley, Huron, Ont. Can

• Occupation

Life long Farmer on the Goshen Line, Stanley Twp, Huron Co. First on Lot 9 Con 11 then Lot 21 Con. 10

• Residences

Stanley, Twp. Lot 5 Con. 11; Lot 9 Con. 11; Lot 21 Con. 10; 61 Cambria Rd. Goderich

Wife Margaret Isabel BROADFOOT

         Born: 21 Nov 1915 - Tuckersmith, Huron, Ont, Can
   Christened: 
         Died: 21 Jan 2003 - Goderich, Ont.
       Buried: 24 Jan 2003 - Bayfield, Huron, Ont.

Noted events in her life were:

• Burial Location

Bayfield Cemetery, 182F

• Death Location

At Alexander & Marine Hospital

• Residences

Tuckersmith Twp; Stanley Twp; 61 Cambria Rd; 63 Suncoast Dr; 15 Picton St. Goderich.

Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage location

Seaforth United Church Manse

Children

1 M William "Douglas" ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Spouse: Joyce Elda FISHER (living)

2 F Merle Marie ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Spouse: William Amos STANBURY (living)

3 M John "Jack" Allen ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Spouse: Patricia Elizabeth MEDD (living)

4 M Raye Alexander ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Spouse: Dianne Catherine KOEHLER (living)

5 F Mary Margaret ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Spouse: Ronald Gabriel KOVACS (living)

6 M Frederick Lloyd ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Spouse: Carol Ann DESJARDINE (living)

General Notes (Husband)

Obituary, London Free Press
Suddenly at his home in Goderich on Thursday, March 28, 1991. Robert Allen Armstrong; in his 74th Year. Beloved husband of Margaret (Broadfoot). Dear father of Doug & Joyce Armstrong of Peterborough, Merle & Bill Stanbury of Goderich, Jack & Pat Armstrong of Clinton, Raye & Dianne Armstrong of Goderich, Mary & Ron Kovacs of Brantford, and Fred & Carol Armstrong of Sarnia. Also survived by 16 grandchildren, brothers Howard Armstrong of Stanley Tew.. Ron Armstrong of Simcoe. Predeceased by sister Dorothy and brothers Kenneth, Leslie, and Floyd Armstrong.
The family will receive friends at the McCallum & Palla Funeral Home Cambria Road at East Street, Goderich on Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Saturday afternoon at 3:00. Interment Bayfield Cemetery. Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Victoria St. United Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Married at United Church, Varna, Ont

General Notes (Wife)

Funeral Notice:
In Memory of Margaret (Broadfoot) Armstrong November 21, 1915 - January 21, 2003
Beloved wife of the late Allen Armstrong. Dear mother of Doug (Joyce) Armstrong, Merle (Bill) Stanbury, Jack (Pat) Armstrong, Raye (Dianne) Armstrong, Mary (Ron) Kovacs, Fred (Carol) Armstrong. Loving grandmother of 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Predeceased by her sister Helen and brothers Sam, Ross & Bill.
Funeral Service will be held at McCallum & Palla Funeral Home Goderich, Ontario.
Friday January 24, 2003 at I I A.M.
Reverend Sharon Willis-Whitwell will officiate.
Interment Bayfield Cemetery

Obituary: Clinton News Record January 29, 2003
Margaret (Broadfoot) Armstrong of Goderich and formerly of Stanley Township, passed away at Alexandra Marine & General Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 21. She was 87.She was the beloved wife of the late Allen Armstrong and the dear mother of Doug (Joyce) Armstrong of Peterborough, Merle (Bill) Stanbury of Goderich, Jack (Pat) Armstrong of Clinton, Raye (Dianne) Armstrong of Goderich Township, Mary (Ron) Kovacs of Brantford, and Fred (Carol) Armstrong of Sarnia. She was the loving grandmother of 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Armstrong was predeceased by her sister Helen and her brothers Sam, Ross and Bill. The family received friends at the McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, Goderich, on Thursday, Jan. 23. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on Friday morning, Jan. 24, Rev. Sharon Willis-Whitwell officiated. Pallbearers were Steven Armstrong, Todd Stanbury, Kevin Armstrong, Peter Kovacs, Mark Armstrong and Chad Armstrong. Interment was in the Bayfield Cemetery. Donations to Victoria Street United Church General Fund or the charity of your choice gratefully acknowledged.

Part of Address given by Rev. Sharon Willis-Whitwell:
Margaret Isabel Broadfoot Armstrong was the youngest of five children, born November 21, 1915 to parents William Broadfoot and Nettie Dickson on a farm in Tuckersmith Township. Today, we celebrate not only a fife, but the passing of a generation. Margaret attended school in the country, Church and Sunday School at Brucefield United Church of Canada. Margaret and her siblings knew the early rivalry of sorting out one's place in the family, looking after one another when mom and dad were out. She recalled the basement cistern, (a behavior modification tool). Her love of artwork in childhood underpins years of quilt-making. In fact, quilt-making is a metaphor for fife - for as surely as she knew how to take patches and build beautiful quilts. She learned how the pieces of fife fit together to build an enduring legacy.
Margaret met her husband, Allen Armstrong while dancing in Kippen, in the days when travel was still by horse and buggy. He took her to Clinton shopping for wedding clothes - a burgundy satin dress and after their marriage in 1938, they honeymooned in Niagara Falls.
Their legacy extends to six children. Doug and his wife Joyce; Merle and her husband Bill Stanbury; Jack and his wife Pat; Raye and his wife Dianne; Mary and her husband Ron Kovacs; and Fred and his wife Carol. The next generation extends to 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Margaret's Children recall: - Saturday night was for shopping, as a family, in Clinton or Seaforth - Sunday was for Church on the Goshen, followed by Sunday dinner. Chocolate chip recipes need to be passed along to the next generation - Christmas goes better with homemade fudge - keep a diary, but don't let it interfere with raising your children well - and don't write everything in it. If you want to instill values in your children: you must first have them yourself and you don't have to talk about them to pass them along. You don't have to tell all you know - there's public and there's private, lived best when one knows the difference between the two. A fun loving mother, with a deep caring, who was good at running interference with dad. Children's partners are full family members, and treated accordingly. Don't call home during card games or when the TV program, Wheel of Fortune is on. Grandchildren are worth the wait. If you play cards, it's more fun when you play with friends: Adelaide, Grace, Anne, Elsie, Anna, Mae, and Madeline, and the most fun of all when you win. Old is a state of mind, having nothing to do with one's age. The Leafs play hockey and the Jays play baseball, that's all a fan needs to know. Life is at its best with a sense of order. To have a friend, you must first be one. The qualities and attributes of a pretty special lady.
Margaret leaves many things today, simply by the way she lived her fife. Margaret had high standards, both for herself and for her family, and today, you are a testimonial to what she believed adult children should be, you are her magnum opus, her finest hour.
A woman of deep faith, we at Victoria Street United Church are honoured to call Margaret family. We too benefited from her cooking abilities, her commitment to her church and the UCW - we will miss her too. Whether you are family, friend or neighbour, you know the reasons Margaret was a well-loved woman.

Notes (Marriage)

Allen & Margaret (Broadfoot) Armstrong by a Son Douglas
Allen and Margaret were married in 1938 and settled into a farming life on the Goshen Line in Stanley Township, Huron County. Allen the oldest of 6 boys and one girl worked with his father and later his brothers in a well-run and successful farming operation. Allen and Margaret raised six children, four boys and two girls. After living on the farm, which had been owned by his father, in 1943 they purchased the Johnston farm further north on the Goshen Line in Stanley Township. Margaret and Allen lived on this farm until retirement in 1974.
They were very much a part of the Goshen Line community, ardent members of the Goshen United Church where Margaret was a faithful and active member of the United Church Women’s organization. In recognition of her contribution to the Church, The Woman’s Missionary Society of the United Church of Canada granted Margaret Armstrong a Life Member on January 24th, 1954. They made it a regular Sunday occurrence to have the children in Sunday School and Church. Allen and Margaret did not travel a great deal while their children were growing up however they had an enjoyable social like with friends and neighbours. An evening playing cards and visiting was a very treasured event and they had many of those.
Allen served on the School Board of S S # 3 Stanley for a few years and always had a keen interest in the local politics of Stanley Township and Huron County. He later served on the Board of Directors of the Hensall and District Co-Operative. An office he was always very proud of and spoke fondly about the many friends and acquaintances he made due to his Co-operative involvement. Allen joined the Odd Fellows Lodge in Varna and was a member for a few years in the 1950’s.
The Armstrong farm was considered as a general farming operation. Allen had a milking operation where he separated cream for sale, fed cattle for market and grew white beans as a cash crop. He harvested quality grain crops and hay for livestock feed on the farm. The operation was expanded when they purchased an additional farm across the road from the Greer family. This added enough land for more grazing and cash cropping opportunities.
Allen’s father John owned a threshing mill, which was used by all of the family. This included his brother Lesley who lived on the Bayfield Road and Floyd who lived on the farm where Allen and Margaret first lived. The Armstrong’s did custom threshing for many of the farmers along the Goshen line, including Orville McClinchey, Frank Boyes among others. Occasionally to the chagrin of their four boys, there were always chores around the farm. In good weather it was work outside and when a rainy Saturday came along the barn always had jobs waiting to be done.
As time passed and Margaret and Allen’s family had taken up careers off the farm, which was somewhat of a disappointment to Allen, they decided to sell the farm. He was having a great deal of trouble with his knees and walking and riding a tractor was becoming ever more problematic a sale of the farm was completed in 1973 and they purchased a retirement home in Goderich.
After knee and eye surgery Allen worked for a number of years delivering auto related supplies. At the same time they purchased a travel trailer which provided a great deal of pleasure for them as they traveled around to a variety of locations and made many new friends and acquaintances. They spent many years traveling to Florida for the major part of the winter. When traveling with a trailer became a chore they sold it and still traveled to Florida. Members of the family would drive them down and bring them home. Margaret would not fly and was known to say many times that “…if I was supposed to fly God would have given me wings…” and to the best of anyone’s knowledge she and Allen only flew once. Doug and Joyce took them to Montreal from Peterborough and prior to returning home Margaret commented, “Maybe a buddy should have a car available”
As time passed Allen began to suffer from heart disease, which had started when he was in his 40’s. His quality of life was good until some months prior to his passing in March of 1991. Margaret stayed in their home in Goderich for a few years and then moved into an apartment. She continued with her significant involvement with Victoria United Church in Goderich. Along with her close friends she enjoyed playing cards and socializing with them. Her health remained good until a year or so prior to her death in January 2003.

Robert "Rob" Darren Armstrong

Husband Robert "Rob" Darren ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Father: John "Jack" Allen ARMSTRONG
       Mother: Patricia Elizabeth MEDD

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Wife (details suppressed for this person)

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Children

1 F Chelsea TIDESWELL (details suppressed for this person)

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Robert Edward Armstrong and Marcella Renee Cloutier

Husband Robert Edward ARMSTRONG (details suppressed for this person)

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       Father: Robert Rainey ARMSTRONG
       Mother: Yvonne FRANKE

     Marriage:

 Other Spouse: Dayle ROUX

Wife Marcella Renee CLOUTIER (details suppressed for this person)

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Children

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