Alvin Backus Armstrong and Caroline E. Bennett

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Husband Alvin Backus Armstrong ^{1 2}

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           Born: 26 Jul 1838 - Cuba, Allegany Co, NY 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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         Father: Alexander McLane Armstrong (1809-1893) 3
         Mother: Julia Ann Backus (1813-1863) 3

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       Marriage: Mar 1860 - Smethport, McKean Co, PA 4

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Wife Caroline E. Bennett ⁵

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           Born: 4 Oct 1840 - Smethport, McKean Co, PA 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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         Father: David R. Bennett (1810-1876) 5
         Mother: Corinna Nana Chapin (1817-1893) 5

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Children

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1 F Ethel Armstrong ⁴

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           Born: Mar 1862 - Smethport, McKean Co, PA 4
     Christened: 
           Died: Mar 1894 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: William P. Walsh (      -      ) 4

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General Notes: Husband - Alvin Backus Armstrong

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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, Pennsylvania, 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, Pennsylvania, 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. He was a very successful business man and had large holdings in the principal enterprises of Smethport. He cooperated with DeWitt C. Young in organizing the Grange National Bank in 1907, and was vice-president of that 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 owned a fine dairy farm of over two hundred acres located five miles from Smethport, where he gratified his love for the soil and for fine bred stock. He maintained there a herd of the best Guernsey cows and a dairy perfectly equipped with every sanitary device and modern dairying machines. He also prided himself on his finely bred Berkshire hogs and his Plymouth Rock poultry.
Notwithstanding his many business engagements and unending demand upon his time, Mr. Armstrong did neglect his duty as a good citizen. He 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 was a member of the Presbyterian church; was past master of Smethport Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and a Royal Arch Mason of Olean, New York. His club was the Central of Smethport. In politics he was a Democrat.

1 —, History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, and Forest, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 414.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 159, 199.

3 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 199.

4 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 200.

5 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 159.