Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-16
VETERAN Rail-
ROAD MAN dies
w. B. ARMSTRONG, AFTER WEEKS
OF SUFFERING, PASSES
AWAY.

After long and useful life, almost
half century of which was spent in
this city and during which time he saw
and was part of the building up of
two of the railroads that pass through
Ottumwa, William B. Armstrong, one
of the older pioneers Of the city and
among the most respected of the
community passed away in death at
the Ottumwa hospital Friday even
ing at 7:15 o'clock at the advanced
age Of II years.
Death came as relief to sufferings
which Mr.. Armstrong has endured for
sometime past in a patient and an
accomplishing manner Notwithstand
ing his advanced age, Mr.. Armstrong
until two months ago might be seen
each day going to his Office at the
Burlington union depot, where he for
several years acted in the capacity Of
commercial agent. His rugged nature
threw off the weakness of his fast
growing years, and he was not con-
tent to be idle while able to perform
a task.
Went to Chicago.
| But as even the strongest must fin
ally succumb to the inevitable, so
with Mr.. Armstrong, who after a
struggle for the maintenance of that
wonderful vitality that kept him ever
at his post for more than half cen
fury, he finally was compelled to give
up his Office work and on April II left
for Chicago, in hope of getting the
relief his impaired health needed. Go.
| ing to Chicago he entered the Welles
| ley hospital and underwent an opera.
| ton as the only resort to continue his
useful life. From this operation he
gradually recovered until few weeks
ago he was able to return to his home
/ at AL North Jefferson street. After
| a few days at home he was able tc
go about little every day, but his
/ recovery to the former condition Of
his ruggedness, did not seem to pro
gress, but rather after time he seem
1 ed to show signs of failing. A few
days ago he was removed TO the hos
pital in this city in order to obtair
surgical aid but his race was well nigl
run and he finally died at 7:l5 O'CLOCK
last evening
Pennsylvania.
William B. Armstrong was born il
Pike county, Penn, August 10, 1880
His parents were William and Mar,
(Pellett) Armstrong, his father beins
a farmer in early life and afterward
engaged extensively in milling. Whe1
!; but small child his parents moved
, to Sussex county, N. j., and Their
William was reared and received
fair common school education. Hi
grandfather held a majors commission
in the revolutionary army and enjoy
ed the acquaintance and confidence O
, General George Washington. Bein
man of great force of character an
ability, he represented his district il
the legislature.
Came West.
, William B. Armstrong, in 1851, be
, ing 81 years of age determined to Sc
, something of the western countr!
: Starting for the west, he crossed tn
father of waters, locating first in S.
r Louis, where he was employed as
. clerk in a commission house. TIL
= following year he went to Athen'
! where he continued his occupation a
: clerk, and leaving that position, b.
! came engaged in railroading.
). Pioneer RaIroader.
!, Perhaps the oldest man in railroa
:. service in this city was w. B. Arm
, strong, whose career in the freigf
and traffic department of railroad lii
covers half century, and most {
which time, with the exception
q about four years has been spent
. this city. He came here at a tin
u when much that is now considered a.
Q tique, was then unknown.
Station Agent.
Beginning his career in railroa
II circles as freight and passenger agel
? at Croton, a small station in LIZ
r tent; no man in the county cou
e number more friends who rejoiced