JOHNSON COUNTY
JOB ARMSTEAD. Among the prosperous, well-to-do citizens of Lincoln precinct is the subject of this sketch, whose beautiful farm of 160 acres of tillable, fertile land is situated on section 53, township 5 north, range 12 east. He is a native of what is now Fulton County, PA, and was born Jan. 14, 1827, to Jacob and Rebecca (Knable) Armstead, both natives of Pennsylvania, but of Scotch and German extraction. His maternal great-grandfather, Mr. Lavering, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. An uncle, Enoch Knable, was also a soldier, and served throughout the Black Hawk War, while yet another uncle, Daniel Knable, fought in the Seminole Indian. War in Florida.
When our subject was about six years of age he accompanied his parents, who removed to Maryland, where the father died within a few months after their arrival. Our subject remained with his mother until he came of age, who gave him every possible opportunity in her power to give him that home and school training which she realized was necessary if he were to fulfill her hopes in future years. His youth was spent upon the farm, and he thoroughly understands all the minutia and detail of farm work. As the result of his own efforts he has become a well-informed man, and capable of handling current topics with ease and ability.
The marriage of our subject with Rachel Hoof was celebrated at Bath, VA., on the 23d of May, 1850. The lady of his choice was born in Germany on the 21st of March, 1819, and is the daughter of Conrad and Catherine Hoof, by whom she was brought to this country when an infant. The ocean voyage, of which necessarily she has no recollection, excepting as it has been supplied, by her parents, occupied over nineteen weeks. They finally landed at the city of Baltimore, and from there went to Virginia, where her parents died. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstead ten children have been born; five of these survive,whom we mention as follows: Alexander, now in Missouri engaged in farming; Catharine, who was married to Charles Waterworth, of Mason County, IL; William, a resident of Thayer County; Rebecca and Susan., who are at home. Besides these there is an adopted son, Daniel R. Dawson. The deceased children were named as follows: Mary I., Sarah E., John and Harriet M.
With the intention of migrating westward our subject and family left Virginia in the spring of 1864, locating in Peoria County, III., and resided there until the spring of 1866, when removal was made to this county. Here a homestead claim of 160 acres situated as mentioned above was taken up, and upon it he has continued to reside from that time. It was, of course, in a virgin state, and it remained for him to develop its resources and bring it to a condition of cultivation that would render it profitable to him. This he has done with gratifying and and more than expected success. Throughout the years of their companionship, he has always found in his wife a faithful and devoted helpmate, having their truest interests at heart, one in whom he could confide and with whom he could counsel.
Mr. Armstead is a true and loyal citizen; his political associations are With the Democratic Party. Religiously, both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he has served as Steward and Class-Leader for a number of years. They are also active members of society locally, and are everywhere accorded the heartiest confidence and regard.
The above is from "Portrait and Biographical Album, Johnson and Pawnee Counties, Nebraska" printed by Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1889.