Bio: ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM J. (History - 1835)
 

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 

Surnames: ARMSTRONG SMITH BROIDEN LIMBRECHT MOWRY SIEDEL GOODALE

----Source: 1881 HISTORY OF NORTHERN WI, Chicago: The Western Historical Company, A. T. Andreas, Proprietor (grammar as is), Pg. 247

ARMSTRONG, W. J., contractor and jobber, Greenwood. Born in Erie Co., Penn., Feb. 23, 1835. At an early age, moved to Milwaukee, where he went to school the next move was to Green Bay, Brown County, where he remained till 1849 then to Appleton there, was employed in laying plank road, and in 1852, arrived in La Crosse, but found that the Indians had small-pox, started to do lumbering on the Black River, and has been in the woods since his father died in California in 1856, and he was the support of the family from that time. He located on the farm where he now lives, in 1875, just out of Greenwood, on Sec. 35.

He married, in 1856, Miss Julia M. Smith (1832 - 1881) of La Crosse County. They have four children Addie, now Mrs. J. Broiden, Allen, Charles and Edith. Mr. A. has served as Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace belongs to the Good Templars, and the Temple of Honor. In 1864, enlisted in 53rd Wis. V., and was mustered out in September, 1865.

----The Hub of Clark County (1853 - 1934), Researched by Sharon Short

November 20, 1875 : Wm. J. Armstrong , familiarly called “Bill," will soon open a new hotel at Greenwood, where he intends to extend a welcome to all weary pilgrims. Mr. Armstrong does not intend to be out done by any person in the matter of keeping a hotel, and from our knowledge of that gentleman we can cheerfully recommend him to the traveling public as a safe and agreeable host. He will be thoroughly prepared to entertain and provide for all who may be called to that locality, whether fine-haired or otherwise, and none need hesitate to give him a call. “Welcome All: To the citizens of Clark County and to the traveling public generally, I would respectfully announce that I shall open a new and convenient hotel in the village of Greenwood on Monday, Nov. 22nd, and that I shall be prepared to furnish as good accommodations for both man and beast as can be found in Clark County. A share of public patronage respectfully solicited. Wm. J. Armstrong. Clark County Republican & Press

".. William Armstrong, father of Al Armstrong , owned and operated the farm joining the John Stafford farm on the north. The first house on the place was just east of those pines we see along the highway; later James Bryden, a son-in-law of Mr. Armstrong, bought the farm and built the present house ...."

October 1880 : Justice Armstrong has a great bear suit in his court today. Two parties of the Greenwood vicinity each claim to have killed the same bear and have resorted to court to find out who really did kill the bear. The bear certainly is dead, for his hide sold for six dollars.

November 24, 1881 : Mrs. W. J. Armstrong is slowly recovering from her severe illness. ( Julia nee Smith , died 18 Dec 1881, buried Greenwood cemetery)

August 18, 1882 : Mr. W. J. Armstrong gave a large dinner party today. Many were the guests and well laden were the tables with all the market affords. A pleasant time was enjoyed and all went away feeling glad that they had been there and Doc was more smiling than the rest because he bore away a sunflower bouquet. Gracious!

October 24, 1882 : Greenwood: Logging prospects are booming this way; some of those in this vicinity who have heavy contracts for the coming winter: W. J. Armstrong , Thompson & Root, Philip Rossman, S. M. Andrews, Jas. Bryden, Andrew Emerson, and Robert Schofield.

January 25, 1883 : W. J. Armstrong lost a very valuable horse, last week, by lung disease. The horse, as is generally the case, was one of the best he owned, and is a serious loss at this season of the year. The Clark Republican and Press

Wisconsin Marriage Records

BioM: Smith, Julia M. (1854)

William J. Armstrong
Spouse's Name Julia M. Smith
Event Date 01 Jun 1854
Event Place LaCrosse Co., Wisconsin
Father's Name Unknown
Mother's Name Unknown
Spouse's Father's Name Unknown
Spouse's Mother's Name Unknown

Family of Julia M. Smith, first wife of William J. Armstrong

Bio: Smith, Orange Casper (1801 - 1885)

ORANGE SMITH, retired farmer; P. O. West Salem; born in Chateaugay, Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1801. Was married to Harriet Ketchum, born in Orvilie, Brooklyn Co., Vt. Mr. Smith resided in Franklin County till 34 years of age, when he emigrated to Cook Co., Ill., thence to Lake County. His wife died in Illinois February, 1851; his present wife was Lavina Holden, born in Vermont in 1814. Mr. Smith came to La Crosse County in 1851, and entered a farm in the town of Onalaska, which he sold in 1875, and removed to West Salem in 1876. He had nine children by first wife, first seven of whom were born in Franklin Co., N. Y.; the others in Lake Co., Ill.; six of the children are living - Henry resides in Oregon; Franklin in California; Julia, now Mrs. William Armstrong in Clark County; Anna E., now Mrs. Alden Putnam in Monroe County; Mrs. Sarah Smith and Mrs. Lovica Withey. His oldest daughter, Mary E., was the wife of Mr. Abner Gile, of La Crosse; she died Aug. 31, 1877. Mr. Smith was County Commissionery three years; was Justice of the Peace in the town of Onalaska for several years.  History of Hamilton, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 828.

Wisconsin Death Record

Obit: Smith, Orange Casper (1801 - 1885)

Orange Casper Smith
Event Type Burial
Event Date 1885
Event Place La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States of America
Photograph Included Yes
Birth Date 18 Oct 1801
Death Date 19 Sep 1885
Affiliate Record Identifier 106248475
Cemetery Oak Grove Cemetery
 

BioM: Limprecht, Sitonie Heon (1898)

Allen Smith Armstrong
Birthplace La Crosse County, Wis.
Spouse's Name Sitonie Heon Limbrecht
Spouse's Birthplace Sheboygan Co., Wis.
Event Date 10 Jul 1898
Event Place Greenwood, Clark, Wisconsin
Father's Name William Armstrong
Mother's Name Julia Smith
Spouse's Father's Name Fred Limprecht
Spouse's Mother's Name Sitonie Siedel
Race White
Spouse's Race White

ARMSTRONG, W. J. marriage 14 June 1883

At Milwaukee, Wis., June 14, 1883, married by Rev. Heaslett, William J. Armstrong to Minna Mowry , both of Greenwood, Clark Co, Wis. Mr. Armstrong is well known as an extensive lumberman and prominent citizen of Clark Co. Mrs. Armstrong formerly resided in Loyal, but lately at Greenwood. ( Clark Co marriages has W. J. Armstrong and Manise Goodale marrying on June 14, 1883. Nothing else found on this Mowry or Goodale marriage.)