THE REGISTER
Berwick, Nova Scotia
Thursday, February 21, 1946
Former Premier, N. Kingston Native, Passes At Age 82
Hon. E. H. Armstrong Dies At Home In Bridgewater, Following 13 Years Of Invalidism – Law Graduate Of Dalhousie University – Buried At Yarmouth.
BRIDGEWATER, Feb. 18 – The death of Hon. Ernest Howard Armstrong, former Premier of Nova Scotia, occurred at his home in this town, last Thursday, at the age of 82 years, the last 13 of which he was an invalid.
He was born in North Kingston, in 1864, the son of Edward and Sarah Currell Armstrong, and was of Loyalist and English descent.
His early schooling was gained in his birthplace and at Lawrencetown, after which he entered Acadia and Dalhousie, earning the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the latter institution in 1888.
Mr. Armstrong’s lifetime included service as lawyer, editor, civic councillor, legislator and administrator following graduation from Acadia and Dalhousie University Law School.
he was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar after winning his Dalhousie degree and from 1889 to 1892 practised law at Weymouth, at the same time editing the Weymouth Free Press.
From the beginning of his law studies until he rose to the leadership of his province’s government Mr. Armstrong’s march carried him to Nova Scotia’s scattered towns and hamlets. Before he became Prime Minister he was a country editor, a councillor and Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth, member of the Legislature for five years and member of the Executive Council for 12 years.
Mr. Armstrong moved to Yarmouth in 1900 and soon became a prominent citizen of the town. He was elected to the Town of Council the same year and served until 1906, as mayor for the last two years. From 1894 to 1906 he was American vice-consul.
Nominated as a Liberal candidate in the provincial elections of 1906, he was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly, where he remained until the memorable defeat of the Liberal Government in 1925. He represented Yarmouth County from 1906 until 1920, serving as M.L.A. for Shelburne for he next five years.
In 1923, he succeeded Hon. George H. Murray as Premier of the province, an office which he retained until defeated by Hon. E. N. Rhodes in 1925.
Mr. Armstrong was named a King’s Counsel in 1907 and continued his legal practice until 1911, when he became a member of the Executive Council and was given the portfolio of Public Works and Mines, which he held until 1925. For several years he was chairman of the Nova Scotia Exhibition Commission, and of the Nova Scotia Power Commission.
On May 3, 1892, he married Miss Alva G. Grant, daughter of Henry Grant, Weymouth barrister. Mrs. Armstrong died in 1939. While he administered the Department of Public Works and Mines they lived in Halifax, and following his retirement from the political field he was for a number of years judge of the County Court in the district which included Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne Counties.
YARMOUTH, Feb. 18 – Remains of Hon. Ernest Howard Armstrong were laid to rest here this afternoon. Officiating at the services held at Ritchie Mortuary Chapel, Parade Street, was Rev. Ralph Barker, pastor of Yarmouth North Wesley United Church, assisted by Rev. Hastings Wainwright, who recently returned from overseas. Pallbearers were Henry A. Waterman, M.L.A., Robert S. McKay, K. C., C. L. Sanderson, K.C., and Forrest Ladd. During his stay in Yarmouth the late Mr. Armstrong was a member of Wesley United.