The Armstrong Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

The clan Armstrong was famed in Scotland for courage and patriotism. Scott, in the “Lay of the Last Minstrel,” makes the chief say, when about to assemble the clans for some daring enterprise:

Ye need not go to Liddisdale,

For when they see the blazing bale

Elliots and Armstrongs never fail.

The family tradition is that the name was originally bestowed upon a Highland chief for his great courage and physical powers. Another and better authenticated tradition is that the name Armstrong is derived from the following circumstances: “An ancient king of Scotland, having his horse killed under him in battle, was immediately remounted by Fairbairn, his armor bearer, who took the king by the thigh and placed him in the saddle, although heavily weighted by armor. For this timely assistance and feat of strength, the king amply rewarded him with lands on the border; gave him the name of Armstrong, and assigned him for crest an armed hand and arm; in the left hand a leg and foot in armor couped at the thigh all proper.”

The Armstrongs were early settlers in Connecticut and New Hampshire, in the latter state settling in Londonderry, and coming from Londonderry, Ireland. Stephen Armstrong settled in Windham, Connecticut, in 1710, while an earlier settler was Gregory Armstrong, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, who died in 1650.

(I) Benjamin Armstrong

The line of descent of the Armstrongs of Smethport, Pennsylvania, is from Benjamin Armstrong, of Norwich, Connecticut, who died January 10, 1719. He married Rachel —–, and had sons:

1. Benjamin Armstrong.
2. John Armstrong.
3. Joseph Armstrong.
4. Stephen Armstrong.

(II) John Armstrong

John, son of Benjamin and Rachel Armstrong, was born December 5, 1678, at Norwich, Connecticut, died March 21, 1749. He married, January 18, 1710, Anne Worth. He had seven sons and six daughters:

1. John Armstrong, son.
2. Preserved Armstrong, son.
3. Hopestill Armstrong, son.
4. James Armstrong, son.
5. Thomas Armstrong, son.
6. Jeremiah Armstrong, son.
7. Ezra Armstrong, son.
8. Six daughters.

(III) Hopestill Armstrong

Hopestill, son of John and Anne (Worth) Armstrong, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, October 15, 1713. He married, December 22, 1737, Rebecca Durkee, and had six sons and two daughters:

1. Tibbeus Armstrong, son.
2. Solomon Armstrong, son.
3. Hopestill Armstrong, son.
4. Peletiah Armstrong, son.
5. James Armstrong, son.
6. Zephaniah Armstrong, son.
7. Two daughters.

It is from one of these six sons that the Smethport family descend. The name of their grandfather not having been preserved, the connection cannot be definitely shown. The sons of Hopestill Armstrong scattered, some settling in Vermont, thence coming to New York state.

(IV) —– Armstrong

—– Armstrong, grandfather of Alvin Backus Armstrong, although very young, served in the war of the revolution, as did two of his brothers. After the Wyoming massacre he was sent north with a reconnoitering party, and was so pleased with the country around Seneca Lake, New York, that after peace was restored he made permanent settlement there. He was a farmer, married and both he and wife lived to advanced ages, members of the Presbyterian church. Children:

1. Martin Armstrong, died in New York City, a merchant, suffering the loss of his store in the great fire of 1837; married and left issue.
2. George Armstrong, died in Seneca county.
3. John Armstrong, died young and unmarried, a victim of the cholera.
4. Caroline Armstrong, died in Waterloo, New York; married a Mr. Moore and left issue.
5. Alexander McLane Armstrong, of whom further.

(V) Alexander McLane Armstrong

Alexander McLane Armstrong was born in Seneca county, New York, in 1809, died in Kansas, at the home of his daughter, in 1893. He was educated in the public school and resided in Seneca county until 1834, when he moved to Cuba, Allegany county, New York. He was a cabinetmaker and followed his trade in Cuba until 1849, and in Rushford and Houghton, New York, and in 1861 went to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He was a most excellent mechanic and one whose services were always in demand. He was a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Julia Ann Backus, born in 1813, died in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 1863, only child of Joseph Backus, born in Massachusetts, 1788, a shoemaker and old time music teacher. He died in East Rushford, New York, in 1853. He married Elizabeth Reynolds, born in Massachusetts, died in Nunda, Livingston county, New York. Her brother, Philetus Reynolds, died in Cuba, New York, where he held a position on the Genesee Valley canal. Both Alexander Armstrong and his wife were of deeply religious temperament, taking an active part in church work, both being devout Presbyterians, he leader of the choir. Children, nine in number, six dying in infancy and childhood, three here of mention:

1. Alvin B. Armstrong, of whom further.
2. Martin Luther Armstrong, whose sketch follows.
3. Ally Armstrong, born in Rushford, New York, 1856; married James L. Anderson, a farmer of Beloit, Kansas, whom she survives, a resident of Denver, Colorado; children:
   1. Ruby Anderson, resides with her mother in Denver.
   2. Marian Anderson, resides in Seattle, Washington.
   3. Ethel Anderson, resides in Oregon.
   4. Three others, names unknown.

(VI) Alvin Backus Armstrong

Alvin Backus, son of Alexander McLane and Julia Ann (Backus) Armstrong, was born in Cuba, New York, July 26, 1838. He was educated in the “little red schoolhouse” and Rushford Academy, and when fourteen years of age began working on a farm. In 1853 he moved to Ridgway, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the store owned by Joseph S. Hyde. In 1854 he came to Smethport, where his first position was a booking agent for the Stage Company operating a line between Smethport and Olean, New York. He continued with the Stage Company three years, then for the succeeding three years was a clerk in the mercantile house of Ford & Smith, which later he purchased, and operated with a partner as Irons & Armstrong for two years. He then sold his interest and began the study of law under the preceptorship of John C. Backus. He was admitted to the McKean county bar in 1861, but was not at all in sympathy with his profession, soon returning to mercantile life as senior of A. B. Armstrong & Company. In 1866 he bought out the drug store of Seems & Hogarth, located on Main street, Smethport, which he operated for several years with H. L. McCoy, and still controls, the oldest drug store in McKean county. He has been a very successful business man and has large holdings in the principal enterprises of Smethport. He cooperated with DeWitt C. Young in organizing the Grange National Bank in 1907, and is vice-president of that very successful financial institution. He organized the Smethport Water Company and for many years was its treasurer and managing director. He was prominently connected with the organization of the Smethport Gas Company and was treasurer and manager for several years, also treasurer of Rose Hill Cemetery Association. He owns a fine dairy farm of over two hundred acres located five miles from Smethport, where he gratifies his love for the soil and for fine bred stock. He there maintains a herd of the best Guernsey cows and a dairy perfectly equipped with every sanitary device and modern dairying machines. He also prides himself upon his finely bred Berkshire hogs and his Plymouth Rock poultry.

Notwithstanding his many business engagements and unending demand upon his time, Mr. Armstrong has not neglected his duty as a good citizen. He takes an active interest in civic affairs and the upbuilding of his borough. He has served a great many terms as councilman, and in 1869 represented Clinton, Cameron and McKean counties in the Pennsylvania house of representatives, and for twenty years served as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Presbyterian church; is past master of Smethport Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and a Royal Arch Mason of Olean, New York. His club is the Central of Smethport. In politics he is a Democrat.

He married, March, 1860, in Smethport, Caroline E. Bennett, born in Smethport, October 4, 1840, educated in the public schools and Lima (New York) Academy. Child of Alvin Backus and Caroline E. (Bennett) Armstrong:

1. Ethel Armstrong, born in Smethport, March, 1862, died March, 1894; married William P. Walsh, managing director of the Smethport Water Company; child,
   1. Ethlyn Walsh, born March, 1894, died August, 1894.

David R. Bennett

David R. Bennett, father of Mrs. Armstrong, was born in New York state, January 28, 1810, died at Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1876, a hotelkeeper at Smethport, also deputy sheriff, later sheriff, of McKean county. He married, August 14, 1835, Corinna Nana Chapin, born in Chenango county, New York, August 10, 1817, died there February 14, 1893, daughter of Henry Chapin, born in New York state, April 5, 1787, died in Smethport, April 23, 1858, a farmer. He married (first) February 24, 1811, Johannah Kemball, born, in New York, November 18, 1792. Henry Chapin, father of ten children by his first marriage, married (second) February 4, 1833, Indiana Hive Arnold, born in Chenango county, New York, September 17, 1799, died in Smethport. Children of Henry Chapin; those by his first marriage were all deceased:

1. Amanda Melvina Chapin, born September 1, 1812; married Judge Richmond, of Chenango county, New York, judge of the court at Smethport, Pennsylvania, a man of marked ability and prominence.
2. Arminta Chapin, born September, 1814; married a Mr. Boardman.
3. Corinna Nana Chapin, of previous mention; wife of David R. Bennett.
4. Oscar Chapin, born February 21, 1819, died June 1, 1819.
5. Henry Chapin, born October 13, 1820, died June 1, 1827.
6. Thaddeus Lindorf Chapin, born April 20, 1823, a farmer; married Betsey Corwin; children:
   1. Cynthia Chapin.
   2. Bertha Chapin.
7. Viola Ophelia Chapin, born March 13, 1825; married Dorwin Hamlin, of Smethport, a civil engineer.
8. Ann Elizabeth Chapin, born October 7, 1826; married C. K. Sartwell, of Smethport, a merchant, and one time prothonotary, register and recorder of McKean county; children:
   1. Ella Sartwell, married a Mr. Quackenbush
   2. Henry Sartwell, married a Miss Coleman
   3. Mary Sartwell, now matron of an insane asylum at Anna, Illinois.
9. Mary Albina Chapin, born April 1829, died 29 Jan 1901 at Smethport; married Roswell Sartwell, born 7 Nov 1827, died in 1907, son of Hon. Soloman Sartwell, Jr. and Sally King.¹
10. Fitz Henry Chapin, born June 17, 1831, died in childhood.
11. Catherine Indiana Chapin, child by second marriage, born in Smethport, August 27, 1834; married Calvin C. Hooker, a farmer, who died in South Dakota.
12. Joanna Fidelia Chapin, child by second marriage, born in Smethport, September 19, 1836, died there May 28, 1902; married Samuel C. Hyde, deceased, a lawyer.

Children of David R. Bennett, all born in Smethport, Pennsylvania, but the first:

1. Ambrosia (or Ambrosia) Bennett, born in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1858, died in Smethport, September 15, 1904; she married (first) Edgar Mason, a hardware merchant of Smethport, (second) a Mr. Crandall, deceased, a merchant in Nebraska; children:
   1. Elva Mason, child of first marriage, born March 21, 1858, died January 8, 1885.
   2. Clayton Mason, child of first marriage, born 1863, deceased.
   3. Benjamin Crandall, child by second marriage.
2. Caroline E. Bennett, of previous mention; wife of Alvin Backus Armstrong.
3. Frances Bennett, born October 3, 1842; married Lynn W. Mason, deceased, a hardware merchant, whom she survives, living in Buffalo, New York; children:
   1. Mary Mae Mason, born April 14, 1867
   2. Cora Mason, May 11, 1872.
4. Mary Ellen Bennett, born February 2, 1845; married Dudley Gifford, of Smethport, now an employee of the Smethport Glass Works; child,
   1. Theo Gifford, born September 3, 1884; now a bookkeeper in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; unmarried.
5. Flora Bennett, born April 22, 1847; married Dr. F. W. Hogarth, who died in Port Allegany, a practicing physician, whom she survives, a resident of Smethport; child,
   1. Leon R. Hogarth, born September 9, 1869, now a druggist of Smethport.
6. Ida Bennett, born January 15, 1854; married Anson Burdick, now a plumber of Smethport; no issue.

The foregoing children of David R. Bennett are grandchildren of Elijah Bennett, born March, 1776, died January 2, 1850. His wife Persis was born December 27, 1773, died July 11, 1839, leaving seven children, as follows:

1. Dr. William Bennett, born February 28, 1795, died in Angelica, New York, October 11, 1875; was a physician and one of the first settlers of Bradford, Pennsylvania.
2. Phoebe Bennett, born July 8, 1796, died August 6, 1840; married a Mr. Wheeler.
3. Electra Bennett, born December 17, 1797, died February 12, 1880; married a Mr. Warner.
4. Anna Bennett, born October 3, 1800; married a Mr. Moser.
5. Salva Bennett, born November 17, 1804, died October 27, 1848; married a Mr. Horton.
6. Oshea R. Bennett, born April 28, 1806, died April 19, 1858; married Lucy Green Warner.
7. David R. Bennett, of previous mention; father of Mrs. Alvin Backus Armstrong.

(VI) Martin Luther Armstrong

Martin Luther Armstrong, son of Alexander McLane (q. v.) and Julia Ann (Backus) Armstrong, was born in Cuba, Allegany county, New York, October 6, 1848. When he was seven years of age his parents moved to Houghton, New York, where he attended school until he was thirteen years of age. In 1861 the family moved to Iowa, locating at Mount Pleasant, where he finished his education in the Mount Pleasant schools and the academy at Denmark. After leaving school he secured employment on a cattle ranch, and for three years led the life of a cowboy. In 1865 he came to Smethport where he first secured employment as a clerk. He then began working at the jeweler’s trade and in 1868 purchased the jewelry business of F. Seems. He has been continuously in business in Smethport from that date until the present, a period now nearing the half century mark. His store is located on the main street in the heart of the business district and is patronized most liberally by satisfied customers, this being the leading jewelry store of the borough and unsurpassed in equipment and quality of goods by any in the county. Mr. Armstrong is a Republican in politics and has served as councilman and chief burgess. He was baptized in the Presbyterian church and has always maintained a connection with that denomination. His fraternal order is the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Armstrong married (first) in June, 1876, Alice Chadwick, born in Smethport, in 1856, was educated in the public schools, finishing at high school, died at the place of her birth in November, 1898. She was the daughter of John R. Chadwick, an early settler at Smethport, born 1815, a farmer and one time clerk of McKean county. He died in Smethport in 1902. He married Jeannette Wright, born in 1817, died in 1882. Children of John R. Chadwick (a partial list only):

1. Alice Chadwick, of previous mention; wife of Martin Luther Armstrong.
2. Freeman Chadwick, now a farmer living near Smethport; married Martha Cobb; no issue.
3. John E. Chadwick, now living at Smethport; married; no issue.

Mr. Armstrong married (second) Jannett Ripley. He married (third) June 17, 1911, Sarah, daughter of Joseph B. Oviatt, of Smethport, Pennsylvania. Children of Martin Luther Armstrong, born in Smethport:

1. Charles Lloyd Armstrong, now an employee of the American Express Company, located at Buffalo, New York; he married Louisa Tandin, of Buffalo; child,
   1. Louisa Armstrong, born September 2, 1911.
2. Aletha Armstrong, married John R. Kelly, of Elmira, New York, now a restaurant proprietor at Shinglehouse, Potter county, Pennsylvania; children:
   1. Martin Kelly, born in Smethport, 1904
   2. Ellen Kelly, born in Elmira, New York, June 24, 1909.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved except as mentioned in footnotes.

1. The manuscript missed child #9, leaving her out of the numbering completely. I have added her from other sources. [↩]