1Census Record 1870 Lyons Township, Mills Co., Iowa, PO Haynie. "1870 census of Lyons Township, Mills Co., Iowa
Dwelling 152
R. L. Merritt age 35 born in NC Abt 1835
Nancy Jane age 34 wife born MO.
Edney (Edna) B. age 15 born Iowa
Mary E. age 12 born Iowa
John L. age 10 born Iowa
George A. age 7 , Iowa
Sarah A. age 2mos. born Iowa
Next house (dwelling) down 153 Merritt, Edney (Edna) age 61 Female born in North Carolina (Mother of Rufus)."
1History of Mills County, Iowa Pg 512. "Under Family history of Benjamin Franklin Merritt.".
1Death Certificate for Katherine Lowe Ball. "Daughters Death Certificate shows parents names."
11850 Census Drit 29, Washington Co., Illinois , District 20, Washington Co, Ill. "1850 Census of District 20, Washington County, Illinois
Armstrong, David 37 Head
Sally 36 Wife
Aaron 16
Mary J. 14
Joshua 9
Margaret E 7
Louisa A 5
William 3
Elihu 2/12."21850, 1860, 1870, 1880. "1850 Census Dist. 20 for Wasington Co., Ill. 1860 Census Union, Putnam, Missouri, 1870 Census-Plattford, Sarpy County, Nebraska, 1880 Census-Plattford, Sarpy, Nebraska- Couldn't wirte.".
3Pension and Land Warrants for David C. Armstrong Born 1814 of Kentucky. "Department of the Interior Office of The Commissioner of Pensions: David C. Armstrong a Private in Captain S. Pruitt Company Enrolled at Edwarsville, Illinois in Regiment SP Brigade Duncan,It is hereby certified, that under the Acts of March 22, 1852, entitled, to land warrants of 40 Acres of Land.".
4Black Hawk War. "Served in the Black Hawk War 1831-1832
BLACK HAWK WAR
In May of 1832 Sac and Fox Indians under the leadership of Black Hawk left the Iowa territory and returned to their homes across the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. These Native Americans had lost their Illinois lands in a disputed treaty signed in St. Louis in 1804. Their return to northern Illinois sparked widespread panic among white settlers, and Illinois Governor Reynolds quickly called up the militia, which included a young Abraham Lincoln.
Both the militia and regular army troops proved unable to locate the elusive Indians at first, but by July they had begun to pursue Black Hawk's band across northern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin, engaging them in a major conflict at Wisconsin Heights before finally routing the Indians at Bad Axe on the Mississippi River."5Wilson Cemetery for David C. Armstrong and Wife Sarah Salley Renfro . "3. Inscription on David & Sarah Armstrong's Grave Marker. "Tombstone in Wilson Cemetery, Sarpy County, Nebraska.
"It was hard to say goodbye to them So faithful, kind and true. But well we know that death cannot Long hide them from our view."
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea, say with the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." Rev. 14:13." THIS OLD CEMETERY, KNOWN AS THE WILSON CEMETERY IS LOCATED TWO AND A HALF MILES SOUTH OF SPRINGFIELD, NEBRASKA ALONG THE BUFFALO CREEK. ANNIE ARMSTRONG TOLD ME THAT IT WAS STARTED WHEN THE WILSON FAMILY, WHO LIVED ON THE LAND, LOST SEVERAL SMALL CHILDREN AND BURIED THEM THERE ALSO. "Tombstone in Wilson Cemetery, Sarpy County, Nebraska.
"It was hard to say goodbye to them So faithful, kind and true. But well we know that death cannot Long hide them from our view."
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea, say with the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." Rev. 14:13."."
1George Armstrong Will dated 1808. "Was named in fathers will dated 1808-was to receive all his farming tools and the property remaining after the death of his mother. He was also to receive, along with his brother John, 200 acres of land with the mill and farm to be equally divided between them-located in Muhlenberg Co. Kentucky. Buried in Farm Cemetery, Glasgow, Ill.".
21850 Census Scott Co. Illinois No Town listed for George Armstrong. "---
George Armstrong the Father (Widowed) living right next to son Jesse.
1850 Scott County, Illinios, No Township listed. Dwelling Number 781
George Armstrong age 69 born in North Carolina, Plaster Occupation
Emily age 26 born in Illinois
Elizbeth age 20 born in Illinois
Matilda age 18 born in Illinois
George age
Gideon age 14 Male born Illinois abt 1826."3George Armstrong Will Information From David Helms. "RECORDS FROM SCOTT COUNTY COURTHOUSE AT WINCHESTER, ILLINOIS
Jesse Armstrong was appointed administrator on July 31, 1865 for the estate of George Armstrong who died intestate in February 1860. George died "leaving no widow but let to still survive him the following children and grandchildren: Margaret Straight, Perry Straight, Harrison Straight, and Laura Cobb, grandchildren; David Armstrong, son; Nancy Bowers, daughter and William Bowers, her husband; Lucinda Straight, daughter; Mary Acres, daughter and Thomas Acres, her husband; Joseph Armstrong, son; Matilda Long, daughter; George Armstrong, son; Gideon Armstrong, son; and Jesse Armstrong, son.
The residences of each of the heirs was also given in the papers relating to the estate of George Armstrong, deceased. Margaret Straight, Perry Straight, and Harrison Straight, Washington County, Illinois.
Laura Cobb....Glasgow, Illinois
David Armstrong......Iowa,
Nancy and William Bowers..........Scott County, Illinois.
Lucinda Straight....Piatt County, Ill., Bemont Mary and Thomas Acres......not given
Joseph Armstrong and George Armstrong......California. Matilda Long and Gideon Armstrong.........Kansas
Jesse Armstrong....not given .
(Notes from David Helm the Researcher) that the above locations are for the year 1866."4Cemetery, Armstrong Farm Cemetery, Glasgow, Scott Co., Illinois. "Burial of George Armstrong and wife Margaret Peggy: Armstrong family Farm Cemetery, Glasow, Scott Co., Illinois."
1Cemetery, Armstrong Farm Cemetery, Glasgow, Scott Co., Illinois. "Buried with husband George Armstrong on their Famr Cemetery in Glasow, Scott Co. Illinois."
11860 Census for Armstrong, Joseph of Franklin, Sacramento, California. "Joseph Armstrong Age 32 Farm Laborer Born Illinois Not Married..."
21870 Census for Armstrong, Joseph Fraklyn, Sacramento, California. "1870 Census for Armstrong, Joseph in Fraklyn, Sacramento County, CA.
Joseph Armstrong age 43 Duck Hunter born in Illinois.. Single."31880 Census for Armstrong, Joseph Merritt, Yolo, California. "1880 Census Merritt, Yolo County, California for:
Joseph Armstrong age 52 Painter born Illinois Single."41890 Census recreated from the Great Register Armstrong, Joseph, film 1697839 . "The 1890 Joseph came from the Great Register, recreating the 1890 census, no minors, no woman, age given at registration, a person must calculate birth date. It came from film 1697839 from the FHC. I copied 12 Armstrong names, Joseph among them.". "film 1697839 from the FHC..Shows Joseph Armstrong still living as a Painter.
Source from Deanna Kelider in Nebraska.. Yolo county, California."
1History of Joshua Renfro Born1796. "Joshua, is our direct line descendant, in the Renfro Clan, born in Ky. & came to Ill.. with his parents etc. in late l810. He lived in Madison, & Bond counties in Ill. before moving to Montgomery County Illinois where he died in 1856, his Will is filed in the Hillsborough Court House in Montgomery county, he is buried near VanBurensburg, Ill.--His youngest son John was the administrator of his dads est-ate, among his possessions sold after his death was a boiler & a worm, which is what is needed to make whiskey. This came as a surprise to some of his descendants mainly because he was the son of a Baptist Preacher. The Primitive Baptist minis-ters in the different Renfro lines are many.". "!The Renfro's In America...Joshua Renfro My Direct Line Ancestor, Son of James Junior Renfro and Grandson of James Senior Renfro:
Notes from Geneologist Researcher and Leatrice Armstrong Behnk Route1, Box 136 Greeley, Nebraska, 68842.
!Joshua Renfro lived in Madison County, Illinois and in Bond County, Illinois before that. I find an Adaline Renfro who married a man named Keown in Madison Co. I believe she is also a daughter of Joshua and Feraby. Sarah and David had a dau. named Louisa Adaline, who went by the name of Adaline. Adaline R. married 1838, about 4th child.
Washington Armstrong and Delilah Renfro also had a Daughter Adaline.
!Joshua was the second child, but the oldest son of Rev. James Renfro Jr. and his wife Margaret Jackson Renfro. I have conflicting reports of the date of his birth, one says Jan 3, 1796, the other says 1791, the report of 1796 would agree with the bit of information that Joshua Renfro married Pheraby Reavis on the 3rd day of May of 1813 in Madison Co.,Ill., not to long after both families had arrived in Ill. from Kentucky, and it also states that Joshua married before his 18th birthday.
!Joshua served in the war of 1812, in Captain Samuel Whitesides Company of United States Mounted Rangers (volunteers). This is the very same outfit that Isham Reavis, brother to Feraby, (Joshua/s wife) served in.
!I have no direct information on the religion of Joshua and Pheraby, but would assume that it would most certainly be Baptist, as both families seem to be very strong in this denomination.
!It would seem that Joshua and Pheraby Reavis Renfro had at least 10 children, and it is possible, one or 2 more. Our great great grandmother Sarah who married David Armstrong is one of them, the exact order of them is a bit uncertain, as Sarah, Mary Elizabeth, and James are all listed as being born about 1815, and I don't know quite how this could be unless there are twins involved. There are twins back in the previous generation, perhaps our Sarah was born in 1814 instead of 1815, this could very easily be, depending on when their birthday fell, and Sarah died in the month of March. Sarah seems to have married before Mary Elizabeth, and David armstrong was younger then Henry Landers Armstrong who married Mary Elizabeth. Any way you look at it if there was not twins involved, they were very, very close together.
!Joshua Renfro lived in Madison County, and in Bond County before that, I find an Adaline Renfro who married a man named Meown, in Madison County. I believe she is also a daughter of Joshua and Feraby. Sarah and David had a daughter named Louisa Adaline, who went by the name of Adaline. Adaline R. married 1838, about 4th child.
----------------------
Will: Joshua's Will of 1859 of Madison co., Illinois. Information from Thresa Renfro renfro@home.com email address of 24 Apr 2000.
Also admin: of William B. Renfro 1854 Montgomery Co.,
Widow: Elizabeth Renfro
Admin: Joshua Renfro
Will: Date of birth: Joshua from Mr. Tullock
Joshua Rentfro, b. Jane 3, 1796. Served as 2nd Corp. Capt.
William b. Whitesides's Co, US Mtd. Rangers, War of 1812.
Applied for pension, Sep 28 1850. No record of having been granted.
Census Info: 1820 Bond county, IL: 1830 Madison Co. IL: 1840 Montgomery Co. IL.: 1850 Montgomery Co. IL:."2Will: Date of birth: Joshua Renfro from Mr. Tullock for Joshua Rentfro, b. Jane 3, 1796. Served as 2nd Corp. Capt. "Will: Joshua's Will of 1859 of Madison co., Illinois. Information from Thresa Renfro renfro@home.com email address of 24 Apr 2000.
Also admin: of William B. Renfro 1854 Montgomery Co.,
Widow: Elizabeth Renfro
Admin: Joshua Renfro
Will: Date of birth: Joshua from Mr. Tullock
Joshua Rentfro, b. Jane 3, 1796. Served as 2nd Corp. Capt.
William B. Whitesides's Co, US Mtd. Rangers, War of 1812.
Applied for pension, Sep 28 1850. No record of having been granted."3The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical index, Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, USA, www.familysearch.org. "Joshua RENFRO; Male; Birth: 03 JAN 1796 , Montgomery, Illinois; Death: 24 AUG 1859 , Montgomery, Illinois; Spouse: Pheraby REAVIS; Marriage: 03 MAY 1813 , Madison, Illinois."
1Reavis, Pheraby Bn: 1789 NC. "Dr. D.O. Manshardt's research show Feraby Revis and born in 1789 in VA."
1Census 1900 Springfield, Sarpy Co., Nebraska Emanuel G. Schaal Family. "1900 Census Springfield Precinct, Sarpy Co. Nebraska, ED 121 Dwelling 16.
Schaal, Emanuel G. Head Age 65 born April 1835, Ohio, Father Germany, Mother Germany, Farmer by trade.
Mary J. Wife age 64, born March 1836, Born Illinois, Father Kentucky, Mother Illinois.
Charles D. Son age 35 Single born March 1865 in Nebraska, Father Ohio, Mother Illinois.
Vernie age 20, Daugher, Single born June 1879 Nebraska, Father Ohio, Mother Illinolis."2Obiturary from the Springfield Monitor, Sarpy Co. Nebraska Emanuel G. Schaal. "Taken from the Springfield Monitor week of Feb 15 1912!
"Pioneer Resident E.G. Schaal Dead"
Extended illness of well-known man ends in death. Located here in early days;
! Emanuel G. Schaal, one of this community’s old and prominent residents, died Monday Feb 12 at 6; 45 PM. For almost a year, he had been bed fast and although apparently not suffering from any particular disease, his strength gradually declined and his death was due to a general breakdown, incident to old age. Mr. schall had been an unusually healthy and rugged man, but two years ago was affected severally with rheumatism, and made a trip to ca. in hopes of benefiting his health, but his condition did not improve. A year ago, he purchased a home in Springfield, and with his wife, moved to town. He was in poor health at that time, and soon afterwards became bedfast. E. G. Schaal was born in Muskingdom County, Ohio 29 Apr 1835, of German parentage, at the age of 5 years; his parents took him to hocking co. Ohio, where he lived until he was 18, removing then to ill. In 1855, he moved to Putnam county Missouri, and there he was married to Miss Mary Jane Armstrong.
They came to Nebraska in 1865, locating on the farm southeast of Springfield, which has been their home from that time until a year ago. Mr. Schaal was a man of high intellectual attainments, and a deep student of political economy and all public questions. He had his own ideas about such matters, and was a radical progressive. He enjoyed the warm friendship of a host of old associates and neighbors of the early days, and also numbered as his friends a large portion of the younger generation. His genial nature and kindly bearing won the hearts of all. He will be missed in the locality, where he had long been a familiar figure.
! Funeral services were conducted at the Congrational Church in Springfield this afternoon at 2-o clock. Reverend. Jay Toms, pastor of the church, officiated, and burial was made in the Springfield cemetery."3Grave Location. "The Grave Marker says Father. Does have a marker."
4Marriage for Emanuel G. Schaal and Mary Jane Armstrong. "Copy of Marriage Certificate. 20th of November 1857 Putnam County, Missouri. Married by Reverend W. Downing in Methodist Church.(Civil Marriage) .. Sealed 22 Apr 1971 SLC Temple, Utah."
1Springfield Moniter Newspaper, Sarpy County, Nebraska, Obituary for Mrs Mary Jane Armstrong Schaal,. "OBITUARY FROM THE SPRINGFIELD MONITOR DATED 13 Apr 1922. Mary Jane Armstrong,Schaal
Mrs. E. G. Schaal following a stroke of paralysis on Tuesday of last week, Mrs. E.G. Schaal passed away at 3 PM on Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Briscoe at Madera, CA. The remains will be shipped here and will arrive at Meadow at 5pm Sat. The funeral will probably be held Sunday.
Mary J. Armstrong was born in Ill. in 1836, and at the age of 20, was married to E.G. Schaal. In 1865 they came to Nebraska and settled on a farm three miles south of Springfield where they resided for years. They later moved to Springfield, where Mr. Schaal died bout nine years ago. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Schaal had spent a good part of the time at the homes of her children, going to Ca. last fall.
Deceased is survived by six children -- Mrs. Fred Briscoe, Madera, California;, W.D. Schaal, Lincoln,
John P. Schaal, Edgewater, Colorado, Charles Schaal, Springfield, Mrs. W.S. Ely, Big Springs, Nebraska, . and Mrs. Lee Blodgett of Sterling, Colorado. From the Springfield Monitor on 10 April 1922.
Mary Jane Schaal was born in Shelby Co. or Madison Co. Ill. 20 Mar 1836, and passed away at the Briscoe Ranch Home at El Nido, Ca. at the advanced age of 86. Her husband preceeded her in death 12 Feb 1912. The Schaals came to Sarpy in 1865. In the passing of Mrs. Schaal, the neighborhood where she has lived so many years loses a member known and loved by all. She was a member of the Christian Church and has been a true and faithful follower of Christ during these years. The funeral was held from the Methodist Church, Monday afternoon, Reverend Swanson having charge of the services. Interment was made in the Springfield Cemetery."
No Grave marker."2Marriage for Emanuel G. Schaal and Mary Jane Armstrong. "Copy of Marriage Certificate. 20th of November 1857 Putnam County, Missouri. Married by Reverend W. Downing in Methodist Church.(Civil Marriage) .. Sealed 22 Apr 1971 SLC Temple, Utah."
1Joshua Armstrong Obituary and History.. "Elder Joshua Armstrong moved with his parents to Putnam county, Missouri in 1855 where he grew to man hood. He was united in marriage to Miss Jennett Henness and to this union 12 children were born, of which six preceeded him to the better land. Of the six surviving children five were present, one dau. Mrs. G.N. Doudna of Lees Summit was unable to get here being in Kendrick, Idaho. The children present were Mrs. E/.D.Briggs of Neb. City Neb. Mrs. Mary Cain of Meadow, Neb. Mrs. O.E. Haden of St. Joseph, Missouri and E.J.
Armstrong of this city. His eldest sister, Mrs. E.G. Schaal and husband and his brother William of Springfield.Neb. and two grandaughters from omaha, Neb. were also present.
! In 1865 they moved to eastern Neb. where they resided for thirty years, moving in 1895 to Jackson Co. Missouri, from which place they moved to Stewertsville in 1902. Mr. Armstrong united with the (RLDS Church) or(LDS)? ! in 1876 of which he was a faithful member to the end of his earthly career.
!He served six years in the missionary field.
!Mr. Armstrong died at his home in this city Monday Aug.5, aged 67 years, 2 months and 1 day. The funeral services were held at the RLDS or LDS church Tuesday afternoon in chaarge of Elder B.J. Dice and sermon was preached by T.K Keck of Nevada, Missouri, after which the remains were interred in the city cemetery.
! Brother Armstrong is gone from among us, but in our minds eye, we see him still. We see him going about his daily avocations, we meet him in the streets, but shall we meet anymore on these streets? No, No, but if we arae faithful we shall meet him on the golden streets, where parting is no more. It will be said by everybody who new Brother Armstrong that another good man had gone to his reward. It is but natural that we look upon him as being almost perfect. If he had faults they were few, they will die out of our memories and go where they will be forgotten forever, but his manly traits of character will linger in our memories forever. He was never tired of doing good. There are those who lived near him who will never forget him, because he made special efforts to help carry the burdens of others. was he faithful to his home interests? Yes and more to if such a thing could be. That word "pa" , is dear to his household and yes he was devoted to his dear wife and children, he loved them deaarly and manifested this love for them by a good example. They will not forget pa. And now as friends of dear brother we will not forget him, it is natural that we do all we can to comfort the bereft, that we do a kind act, drop a cheering word.
! And now the whole community and surrounding country join hands in sympathy with his dear wife and mother in her sad bereavement and to the son and daughters, we extend our love and sympathy.
! Signed A Friend."2Putnam County, MO Marriage Records.
1Putnam County, MO Marriage Records.
1OBITUARY OF WILLIAM J. ARMSTRONG FROM SPRINGFIELD MONITOR, NEB. 28 APR 1927. "OBITUARY OF WILLIAM J. ARMSTRONG FROM SPRINGFIELD MONITOR, NEB. 28 APR 1927
DEATH CLAIMS W. J. ARMSTRONG
! Another sturdy pioneer of Sarpy Co. and this community, has gone to his reward in the death of William J. Armstrong. A man of robust stature and pleasing personality, he had a knack of making friends and always retaining them. For several years he had been troubled with sciatic rheumatism which greatly retarded his movements. His last illness was of a few weeks duration and his death came about 4 O'Clock, thursday afternoon at his home in Springfield.
! William J. Armstrong was born Dec. 23 1847 in Ill. and passed away 21 Apr, 1927 at the age of seventy nine yrs. three mos. and twenty nine days. When still a young boy he moved to Putnam Co. Missouri with his parents, living there until 1865 at which time he came to Sarpy Co., Neb. Since then he has spent practically all of his life in this community, taking an active part in it"s affairs and enjoying the companionship of his many friends. Deceased was for many years a member of the Masonic and Eastern Star Lodges of Springfield. ! He was united in marriage to Miss Mellissa Armes on Oct. 17 l870 who shared with him the joys and sorrows of life until her death on July l5, 1923. To this union was born five children, two of these preceeding him in death, Lily May, who died in infancy and Joseph who died Jan l, l916.
! He leaves to cherish his memory, three sons, Frank of Grand Valley, Colorado, Delbert of Laverne, Oklahoma, and Jesse of Omaha, Neb. Three brothers, John of Dallas Tex. Elza C. of Louisville, Neb. and David of Springfield Neb. his wifes sister, Mrs Belle Wilson of Omaha, seventeen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
! The funeral was held from the Congregational Church at 2 pm Sat. the services being donducted by Rev. W.D. Stambaugh of Richfield, assisted by Rev. M.G. Van Dyke of Springfield Methodist Church.
! The Masonic burial ceremony was given in the church by Deputy Grand Custodian J.B. Lichtenwallner of Omaha, after which members of the lodge accompanyed the remains to their last resting place in the Springfield cemetery, by the side of his wife.
! Card of Thanks read as follows:
! We hereby extend our sincere thanks to friends, neighbors, and Masonic and Eastern Stars orders for their kindness and sympathy during the last illness and the burial of our beloved father and relative. Signed FRANK, DELBERT, AND JESSE ARMSTRONG; MRS. FAY ARMSTRONG AND FAMILY; MRS. BELLE WILSON."
1186O Plattford, Sarpy Co. Nebraska and 1920 Census of Springfield, Sarpy Co., Nebraska. " Found on the 1920 Census of Springfield Sarpy Co. Ne. age 68 with Husband William J. Armstrong. Also found on the 1860 Census of Plattford Sarpy Co., Neb as being 8 years old."