Biography of J. B. Armstrong
--Elvin Loberg
John B. Armstrong was born January 29, 1861, in Ontario, Canada, Perth County, near Stratford City. He was 21 years old and believed that the West offered opportunities greater than the East. At the time he started west the Prairie States were being boomed and were offering inducements to settlers in way of cheap rates and land grants for home-seekers.
Here is what he said about his experiences from home:
When I Left Perth County, Ontario, the snow was some 3 ½ i and 4 feet deep with no sign of coming spring. Through Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota it was continuous mud slush and water. For many miles in places the railroad was covered and the train traveled very slow. The most interesting part of the trip was where we rode along the Mississippi, with the river on one side and the great sand stone cliffs on the other, towering higher than we could see from the car windows, and more than anything else the feeling that soon I would be in the great west country, the great "American Desert" of my early school boy days. On April 3, 1885, a beautiful sunny day with a soft warm wind blowing from the west, the prairie grass, dry and brown, blowing in the wind and the prairie chickens booming (but I did not know what the sound was) and there was no sign of snow anywhere, I arrived in Hannaford, North Dakota. I jumped from the train steps into the grass, the baggage car door slid open and a voice called, "Here boy, grab your trunk". With this done the train pulled on leaving me sitting on the trunk alone and monarch of all I surveyed my right--there was none to dispute. There was no other man, no house or building in sight.
In May, 1889, I filed on a, claim (present home) in Bartley Township. I bought the Homestead from a man who had filed on it some seven years before, giving him for his right one cart and single harness, and a note for $15.00. The location of the land is the north one half of the north one half of Section 10, Township144, Range 60. My first house was a frame. When I moved to my claim I found the shanty had blown away so gathered up scraps and with some other lumber built a lean to my barn using that till the following summer when I built another. I had horses and drove to Cooperstown, 15 miles, or Dazey, 13 miles. Some of my early neighbors were Ole L. Fogderud, Andrew Sonju, Joseph Hoggarth, John Francis, and Donald Campbell. For machinery I had a walking plough, 16 inch breaking and stubble, spring tooth harrow, and broadcast seeder. Wheat was the principal crop and yielded from 20 to 40 bushels per acre of No. 1 hard wheat. I grew my first corn in 1891. For fuel I used wood, and got it from Sheyenne Valley. It was drawn by team in winter time leaving before daylight and getting home after dark.
In the year of 1889-90 I worked hard on Section 2, Township 144 Riange 60. That winter I got wood from Sheyenne River and hay for stock from Stutsman County and got my bread from Cooperstown--not a good combination. One stormy spell I got out of grub. Having some flour, soda, and milk though I could make some biscuits. In mixing I got along fine but when I started to roll it my troubles began. It would not stay rolled out till I got them cut out. When the weight was taken off it would spring together but finally by putting my knee on one side and holding it and pressing roller on far side I held it till the biscuits were cut out.
They made very good eating and lasted well. My next was in 1891-92. When living on claim it stormed for three weeks and I never saw or talked to any person and the last three nights I had no kerosene for lights. I tried to read from the light of the stove door but it was too hot for my face. I finished the night by whistling and talking to the dog.
I was married to Annie Campbell November 14, 1894, at the home of Mr. D. Sinclair, Bald Hill Township.
The descendants of pioneer are: Mervin J. Armstrong, died July 20, 1918; Erma Gladys and Mary Ellen, High School teachers at Cooperstown, North Dakota, Thelma Belle, Jamestown College; Donelda Roberta, at home Hannaford, North Dakota, Morris Campbell Armstrong, died November 27, 1920.
The present home of pioneer is on the old Homestead on the north one half of the north one half Section 10, Township 144, Range 60, Hannaford, Griggs County, North Dakota.