J. W. ARMSTRONG, M.D. This gentleman, who is one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Marion County, is engaged in the practice of his profession in Centralia.
He is a native of Ohio and was born in Muskingum County, near Zanesville, August 18, 1856.
He is a son of Alexander Armstrong, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of the above county, where also his father, James Armstrong, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the early pioneers.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Sarah Bowden. She was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of William Bowden.
Alexander Armstrong removed from Muskingum County, Ohio, where he had been residing for a number of years, to Wayne County, this state, in 1868. Mr. Armstrong is still living, making his home in Wayne County, where he is leading a retired life.
The parental family included eight children, of whom five are living, namely:
The latter lived to the age of twelve years in his native county, and then, his parents removing to Wayne County, this state, he accompanied them hither, and completed his education in the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. For a number of years thereafter he was engaged in teaching school, and in 1882, being desirous of following a professional life, entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, from which institution he was graduated with honors with the Class of '85.
After receiving his degree as Doctor of Medicine, our subject returned to this state, and for six years was engaged in the practice of his profession at Jefferson ville. In 1892 he came to Centralia, where he is rapidly building up a fine practice, which extends far beyond the corporate limits of the city.
June 10, 1885, Dr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Miss Lou Karr, a native of Wayne County, this state, where her father, G. M. Karr, is a prominent fruit-grower. She was given a fine education in the schools of tier native place, and by her union with Dr. Armstrong has become the mother of one daughter and two sons, viz.:
In politics the Doctor always casts his vote for Republican candidates, and while residing in Wayne County held the office of County Clerk for two years.
He occupies a high place among his medical brethren and is prominently connected with the Southern Illinois Medical Society; the Wayne County Medical Society, of which he was President for some time, and the Marion County Medical Society. He is a Modern Woodman of America and a Mason, belonging to the lodges of both societies in Centralia.
The Doctor and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 396 & 399
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer