BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 522.


JOHN ARMSTRONG, of Martin's Ferry, one of the pioneer business men of
the upper Ohio valley, was born near Enniskillen, county of Fermanagh,
Ireland, February 15, 1806. His parents, Andrew and Mary Armstrong,
were married about 1804, and had five children, of whom John is the
only survivor. The father emigrated to Canada, and soon afterward
died there. John Armstrong was reared in Ireland, receiving a limited
schooling, and was engaged in farming until he was about thirty years
old, when in 1837 he came to the United States. He landed at New York,
but not finding employment there, he went to Pittsburgh, where he found
various employment until he secured the position of porter in a carpet
store, where he remained for some time working up to the position of
book-keeper. He came to Wheeling in 1845 and was engaged as a book-
keeper for two years, with Prior, Clark & Co., after which, in 1852,
he embarked in business in the Fifth ward. He conducted this quite
successfully for ten years, and since then has not been actively
engaged in business. He has made judicious investments, however, and
is interested in various manufactories, being a stockholder in the
Standard Iron works, the Benwood and AEtna works, and also has an
interest in the Ohio Valley and National banks of Wheeling.  In 1870
he came to Martin's Ferry, which has since been his residence, and
in 1882 he, in company with William R. Ratcliff and others, organized
the Exchange bank of this city, of which he was elected president. Mr.
Armstrong is one of the pioneers in business in this region, and his
successful career, rising from poverty to a commanding position among
men, is one highly deserving of notice. He was married in October, 1856,
to Jane Hunter, of Pittsburgh, and they have two children: Jennie, the
wife of Dr. Harvey, and Margaret. Mr. Armstrong and wife are members of
the Presbyterian church.