Joseph Armstrong, who is familiarly called Uncle Joe by his numerous friends, owns and operates a well-improved and valuable farm, pleasantly located on section 2, Wapella township, within a half mile of the village of Wapella. He has made his home in DeWitt county since 1855 and dates his residence in the state from 1853.
A native of England, Mr. Armstrong was born in Cumberlandshire, on Christmas eve, 1829, and is a son of Joseph and Ann (Hatherton) Armstrong. The mother died in that country and about 1859 the father came to America, and spent the remainder of his life in Clinton, Illinois. At one time he started for California, but on reaching Omaha, Nebraska, he retraced his steps and again took up his residence in Clinton, where he died when about eighty-one years of age. He married his third wife in this country, and she survived him, dying in 1890.
Mr. Armstrong, whose name introduces this review, grew to manhood upon a farm in his native land, and as his school privileges were limited in early life, he is almost wholly a self-educated, as well as a self-made man. In 1853 he took passage at Liverpool on the Ocean Herald, an American sailing vessel, and made what was then considered a quick trip of twenty-eight days, arriving in New York in June of that year. He came direct to Illinois, and celebrated his first 4th of July in Bloomington. For a short time he worked for Jesse Fell, a blacksmith of Normal, and was then employed as a farm hand by the month in Piatt county, where he spent two years.
In 1855, as previously stated, Mr. Armstrong came to DeWitt county, where he worked by the month several years, and later engaged in farming on rented land for some years. His first purchase consisted of eighty acres on section 35, Wapella township, which was then but slightly improved, and to its further development and cultivation he has since devoted his energies. He has added to this a tract of thirty-six and a half acres, has tiled and fenced the land, has built a large, neat residence, barn and out-buildings, and to-day has a well-improved and beautiful farm. In connection with general farming he is also engaged in stock-raising.
Mr. Armstrong was married in this county to Miss Ellen Stafford, who was also born and reared in England and came to the new world when a young woman. They have only one child living; Isaac, who is married and now operates the home farm for his father. Joseph, another son, died in infancy, while Elizabeth, the only daughter, grew to mature years and married Harry Mabie, and died leaving one child, Maud Elizabeth, who finds a home with her grandparents.
Politically Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, but he has never cared for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. He came to the new world empty-handed and began life among strangers with no money to aid him, but by his own labor and enterprise he has met with success, and is now the owner of a good property. He has also won the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact by his upright, honorable course in life.

Died in infancy.