Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-03-12
WALTER S. ARMSTRONG

On Wednesday evening, March 9th,
1918, at O'Clock, Walter S. Arm
strong passed away at his home in
this city, after many years of gradu-
ally falllng health, due 10 his advanced
age. For the past few years it has
been only by the utmost care and his
naturally strong constitution, that has
kept him with us.
The name of Armstrong has been
household one in this county and
north, in the valley of the Wisconsin
river, since the pine forests COM
menced to be cleared away, down to
the present time. Deceased was the
last OF three stalwart brothers-each
over six feet in height-E Edward,
Samuel and Walter, who were among
the pioneer lumbermen of this valley.
They operated at Pine River and run
their lumber down the Wisconse to
the Mississippi markets. They were
clasSed among our most successful
lumbermen. They were noted for
their great strength when young men
and stories of great feats performed
have been told over and over again by
their admirers down through the
years. Their proverbial kindness to
their fellowmen, made them popular
and widely known and esteemed.
Edward passed away some years ago
in Iowa. Samuel died in Wausau on
the 18th of May, 1911, and now the last
of these splendid pioneer men has
gone to his eternal rest.
Walter Scott Armstrong was born
on the goth day of April, 1888, in Lis
bon, st. Lawrence county, New York.
His brothers came to the Wisconsin
pinery in 1850 and he followed when
sixteen years of age, coming here in
about 1854. They located in Pine
River, where, in 1856, the brothers
purchased the saw mill of Thomas
Grundy, which they operated for six
years and thereafter continued . to
operate extensively in logging and
numbering.
James Armstrong, their father, ac-
companied by his family, also came to
Pine River to reside in 1856. He
passed away there in 1874.
Walter Armstrong came to WauSau
to make his headquarters, forty-five
years ago and continued in the lumber
and logging business for many years
and has resided here ever since. His
exemplary life; his steadfastness to
principles which he deemed fair and
just to man, commanded the esteem,
respect and love of his fellow man.
He had no ambition for political dis
tinction, but chose rather to follow
the even tenor of his way, scattering
the seeds of kindness and adhering to
the Golden Rule: "All things what
soever we would that men should do
unto you, do We even so unto them"
He was united in marriage with
Mary Jane Miller, on the 5th day of
November, 1865, at Pine River, Wis,
by whom he is survived. He is also
survived by four half sisters-Mrs.
Findlay Mac Donald offs Minneapolis;
Misses Margaret, Lillian and Blanche
Armstrong, of this city.
Mr.. Armstrong was an old and hon
ored member of Forest Lodge, No
1870, F. and A. NJ, having joined that
Masonic body fifty years ago. During
his active life he took great interest
in his lodge work and It was a fitting
tribute to his memory that the mem
bers of Forest Lodge attended and
conducted thea last sad rites at his
Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock,
Fred w. Genrich acting in the capaci-
ty of Worshipful Master.
The pail bearers were Walter
Alexander, A. l.. Kreutzer, A. r. Bar
deem, Jas. e. Young, ]. N. Manson and
e. B. Thayer.
The following were present from
out of the city: l.. Swope, Scholfield;
Mrs. L. A. Drown, lola; Mrs. e. ].
Goodrich, Amigo, and Mrs. Frank
SwOpe, Scholfield.