ARMSTRONG:

Hon. Matthias Benson Armstrong, horn in Lewis County, western Vir-ginia, February 10, 1820, a son of John J. P. and Margaret (Jones) Armstrong, who settled in this part of Reedy country in the year 1843. Matthias B. Armstrong's name is seen conected with much of the earlier business of the village later becoming the City of Spencer. He appears to have been a resident of the villages New California and Reedyville; when the County of Roane was formed; the first county court convened in his residence; he was thrice married, the second wife died childless; the names of the children of Matthias B. and first wife, Nancy (Rader), in order of their births, are William H., 1844; next Newton B., John Wesley Chapman, lawyer, mentioned in the chapter of this work: History of the City of Spencer, in list of lawyers of the town; and Florence M. Armstrong. For his third wife Matthias B. married Louisa, daughter of Elijah and Nancy (Lewis) Flesher, formerly of Lewis County, but of Jackson County at time of marriage of Matthias B. and Louisa; he held the office of county surveyor of Roane County, four years, and served one term, year 1872, as State Senator for Fifth Senatorial District, at which time his residence was Reedyville.

Newton B., son of Matthias B. Armstrong, married Miss Almeda McCarty, November 2, 1869; Newton B. Armstrong was prominent in the county for some fifteen years, 1875 to 1890; dealt in timber; served as assessor of the county one term. To Newton B. and Almeda, his wife, were born and reared one son, Chapman and several daughters, whose names we do not know.


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927, William H. Bishop, Esq., p 436
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, October 1, 1999