Edward Armstrong
Edward Armstrong, of Armstrong & Minshall, dealers in furniture and queensware. London. was born on the " Old Bradford farm." in Union Township, this county, January 1, 1850. His father was Robert Armstrong. a native of Chillicothe, Ross County. Ohio. He was twice married. His second wife. and the mother of our subject. was Mrs. Maria (Cowling.) Cover. a sister of Maj. Cowling, so favorably known throughout Madison County, and a native of England. There were born to this union five children. four living. Mr. Armstrong was the father of fifteen children by both marriages, and his wife, being also twice married. was the mother of eleven children. The father died in 1865, and the mother in 1873 Our subject was the fourth child of this union, and grew to manhood on the farm. When fifteen years of age, he came to London. and entered the public schools. In 1869. he entered the drug store of Dr. Caldwell. of Cedarville, Greene County. Ohio. as a clerk with him altogether about two years. He then returned to London and engaged in the drug business with Dr. J. T. Houston. the firm doing business for seven years. Mr. Armstrong then formed a partnership with E. J. Robinson in the same business. and, three years later, in January, 1880, sold his interest to Dr. Platt King In June, 1882, he formed a partnership with Leon Minshall, in his present business. and, on the 23d day of the month, the firm opened out with an elegant assortment of plain and fancy furniture, queensware. etc. Their trade has exceeded their most sanguine expectations. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 138. Masonic, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, politically, is a strong Republican. He was married. October 12, 1876, to Alice. daughter of H. W. Richman. a prominent citizen of London. Mrs. Armstrong is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]