USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I > Part 12
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FREDERICK L. BILLON.
Arkoe .- A hamlet of one hundred inhabi- tants in White Cloud Township, Nodaway County, five and a half miles south of Mary- ville. It was laid out by Dr. P. H. Talbott and S. K. Snively in 1874, Dr. Talbott taking the name from the book, "Twenty Thousand Miles Under the Sea." It is beautifully lo- cated a quarter of a mile west of the One Hun- dred and Two River. It has two churches- Methodist Episcopal and Christian.
Armour, Andrew Watson, for many years conspicuously identified with the com- mercial and financial development of Kansas City, was born in 1829, in Madison County, New York. His parents were Danforth and Julia Ann (Brooks) Armour, both of Scotch- Irish descent, who were school teachers in early life. The father was a man of indomit- able energy and sterling integrity, qualities which found fitting counterpart in the great intelligence and foree of character of the mother. These combined parental traits were transmitted in remarkable degree to their sons, five of whom entered upon business life and became world-renowned for the magnitude and success of their great enterprises. But one of the brothers is now living-HIerman O .. a prominent business man of New York City. Philip D). was the head of the renowned Ar- mour Packing Company of Chicago. Simeon B. and Andrew Watson, both deceased, founded the family interests in Kansas City. Joseph Francis, also, deceased, was interested in the packing business in Milwaukee and Chi- cago. Charles Eugene, the only one of the brothers who did not engage in commercial affairs, died while in the military service of his
country during the Civil War. Andrew W., second of the brothers, was reared on the home farm in New York, and his education was limited to that afforded by the district schools and an unpretentious academy. His training and tastes inclined him to farm life, which he pursued successfully until he was ap- proaching his fiftieth year, when his life found new direction, and he entered upon a career altogether foreign to his previous habits and thought. In 1870 his older brother, Simeon B. Armour, founded in Kansas City a branch of the Chicago packing business conducted by Philip D. Armour. At their solicitation their brother, Andrew W., went to Kansas City in 1878 and became associated with them in the organization of the Armour Packing Com- pany, successors to a partnership firm, with which he remained officially connected until the time of his death. As an adjunct to the business, in association with his brothers, he organized the Armour Brothers' Banking Company, of which he became president and manager. The situation was unpromising, and few aside from those immediately inter- ested had faith in the enterprise. A disastrous bank failure had recently occurred, and local finances were apparently hopelessly disorgan- ized. Besides, President Armour was a stran- ger, and was totally inexperienced in banking affairs. That one of his years and previous occupation could so readily adapt himself to a new pursuit, under such discouraging con- ditions, and accomplish such phenomenal suc- cess, was a marvel in the history of a city of wonderful achievements. He held closely to a purely commercial business, aiding to the fullest of his ability all legitimate business en- terprises, but resolutely holding aloof from the visionary and speculative. With accurate dis- cernment of existing conditions, and acute perception of men, he afforded aid to many business houses during periods of great finan- cial stringency, at the same time adding largely to the prestige and resources of his bank and establishing himself in the estima- tion of the business community as a master of finance. In 1887 impaired health warned him to retire from active life. and January 2, 1888, he effected the consolidation of the Armour Brothers' Banking Company with the Mid- land National Bank, in, which he became vice president and director. The success attend- ing his financial operations is discerned in the fact that the quarter million dollars capital
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with which he began business had brought to him deposits amounting to two and one-half million dollars at the end of his ten years' man- agement. His activity was not restricted to banking and packing interests, but he gave liberal aid to various enterprises conducive to the interests of the city. He was an organiz- ing member and president of the Land Title Company of Kansas City, a corporation which, during the most important period of the growth of the city, facilitated real estate trans- actions by safeguarding titles through exami- nation, guaranty, and legal defense when con- troverted. He was also among the organizers of the Missouri River Packet Company, which at great cost established a river freight service and maintained it until adequate railway con- cessions were secured. He was an incorpo- rator and the treasurer of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, which laid the foundations for the present extensive local transit service. He was among the most en- terprising and sagacious members of the Kan. sas City Club, and was the honored president of that body. He was a regular attendant upon the services of the Second Presbyterian Church, of which his wife was a member. His death occurred from heart failure, May 28, 1892, at Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where he was seeking recuperation. The fervent ex- pressions from local pulpits, and touching tributes paid by the press and commercial or- ganizations, proclaimed that no death since that of his intimate friend, Kersey Coates, had excited such universal mourning, or brought to so many a sense of personal bereavement. The great successes of his life, accomplished through wholly irreproachable means, were held up as a lasting incentive to honest effort and strict integrity, and his simplicity and sin- cerity of character as assurance that the highest type of old-school manhood was pre- servable in spite of the exactions of immense concerns and the intense activities of modern business life. Unassuming in deportment, he aided commercial and benevolent enterprises for the sake of the good to be accomplished, regardless of preferment or praise, while out of his great-heartedness he was glad to be the confidant of young men, and aided many to enter upon active and successful business ca- reers. In all his relations he was a power for good, exerting a salutary influence in the com- munity, not only through its commercial chan- nels, but in its moral life. Mr. Armour was
married, May 10, 1853, to Miss Adeline H. Simonds, who survives, making her home in Kansas City. Of this marriage were born two sons-Kirkland B., April 10, 1854, and Charles W., June 10, 1857. The family policy was strictly adhered to in their training. After receiving a liberal education, Kirkland B. Ar- mour entered the service of the Armour Pack- ing Company, and was engaged in turn in all departments of the business, purchasing cat- tle on the range, marketing the product and assisting in every detail of packing-house labor and office work. After the death of his father he was placed in his present position as president and general manager of the com- pany. He was married, April 27, 1881. to Miss Annie P. Hearne. Of this marriage were born Andrew Watson, Lawrence Hearne. Kirkland B., Jr., and Mary Angusta Armour. Kirkland B., Jr., died in infancy. Charles W. Armour entered the house later than did his brother ; he now occupies the positions of first vice president and treasurer. He was married, June 3, 1885, to Miss Annie Magie, who died January 4, 1889. In 1895 he married Miss Rebecca B. Camp. In addition to the man- agement of the great business known by their family name, the brothers are actively con- cerned in the directories of many of the most important enterprises entering into the com- mercial and financial relations of Kansas City, including railroads, streets railways, electric light companies, banking houses and manu- facturing industries, maintaining in conduct of all the strict ideas of probity and the liberal progressiveness which characterized their family predecessors and associates.
Armour, Simeon Brooks, banker and a man very prominently identified with the in- dustrial interests of the West, was born Feb- ruary 1, 1828, at Stockbridge, New York, and died March 29, 1899, at his home in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of Danforth and Julia Ann (Brooks) Armour, of Scotch- Irish ancestry, and the eldest of a family com- posed of six sons and two daughters. Brought up on a farm, he was given an opportunity early in life to learn the lessons of thrift and industry, and it may be said, in the light of his great achievements in the commercial world, that he learned those lessons well. He re- ceived a common school education and at- tended the seminary at Cazenovia, New York. At the age of twenty-two he engaged in
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business for himself and entered upon a ca- reer that was marked by continued successes throughout his useful life. During the first four years of this practical experience he was a partner in the ownership of a woolen mill at Stockbridge, New York. At a later time, with others, he purchased the plant and con- verted it into a distillery. After being thus engaged for five years he disposed of his in- terest in the establishment and returned to farming. In the fall of 1870, desirous of cast- ing his lot in the great West, for which such a promising future was held out, he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and entered into the packing business with his brother, Philip D. Armour, of Chicago, Illinois. The wonderful growth of the house established by the Ar- mours is too well known to require lengthy recounting in this connection. The plant at Kansas City, under the name of the Armour Packing Company, was given over to the man- agement of S. B. Armour, and how well that trust was discharged is shown in the fact that the house grew to be the second largest in the world, exceeded only by the great Armour plant in Chicago. In 1871 the first building of the present plant was erected, and since that time the growth of the establishment has been steady and unbroken. The packing industry was one of the broad foundation stones for Kansas City's present material strength, and Mr. Armour stood at the head of those who received the thanks and merited the gratitude of a progressive, loyal people. For eleven years he was vice president of the Armour Brothers' Banking Company. This institut- tion was succeeded, in 1888, by the Midland National Bank, of which Mr. Armour was elected president. He was one of the organiz- ers and vice president of the Interstate National Bank, located in the Exchange build- ing at the Kansas City stock yards : was a di- rector in the New England Safe Deposit & Trust Company, the Metropolitan Street Rail- way Company, the Kansas City Stock Yards Company and the Union Stock Yards Com- pany of Denver, Colorado. Shortly after the death of Mr. Armour a beautiful memorial was prepared by the members of the Kansas City Board of Park Commissioners, of which he was a most faithful and enthusiastic mem- ber. This memorial contained resolutions ex- pressing appreciation of his high character and of the enthusiasm, deep interest, strict integrity and devotion to duty which distinguished his
labors in behalf of Kansas City. The resolu- tions were signed by August R. Meyer, Ad- riance Van Brunt, Robert Gillham and J. K. Burnham, and constituted a tribute that will long be cherished by his friends and the mem- bers of his family. Mr. Armour was married in 1856 to Margaret E. Klock, of Vernon, New York. Their church affiliations were with the Presbyterians. To every worthy cause he was a generous donor, and many a movement and institution received encourage- ment at his hands at a time when the clouds of threatened failure hung low. Mrs. Armour is an active woman in philanthropic work, and is a leader in many of the important efforts that are made to ameliorate the unhappy con- dition of the sick and poor. She is the presi- dent of the Woman's Christian Association, whose present work is the management of the Children's Home, a noble institution de- scribed elsewhere in this work, and to which Mr. Armour gave $50,000.
Armstrong .- An incorporated village in Prairie Township, Howard County, thirteen miles northwest of Fayette, on the Chicago & Alton Railway. It was first settled in 1879 and has a good public school, Baptist, Chris- tian, Methodist Episcopal, South, and Presby- terian Churches. Its business interests con- sist of a hotel, two banks, an elevator and mill, a newspaper, the "Herald," and about twenty-five other business places, including stores and shops. Population, 1890, 248; 1899 (estimated), 600.
Armstrong, Andrew Stice, who has gained prominence in southeastern Missouri, both as a business man and public official, was born August 4, 1833, in Jersey County, Illi- nois, son of Maurice and Elizabeth (Sims) Armstrong, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The elder Armstrong was born in the year 1800 and died in 1875, and his wife was born in 1805 and died in 1880. At an early age Maurice Armstrong went with his parents to Illinois, which was then a Territory. There he grew up, and during the years of his active life was engaged in farming on an ex- tensive scale. He was a man much esteemed by his fellow citizens and for some years served as county judge of Jersey County, Illi- nois. Andrew S. Armstrong, his son, who was one of a family of twelve children, grew up in Illinois and was educated in the old-time
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private schools of that State. Until 1861 he lived on a farm and devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits, but in that year he went to Girard, Illinois, and in company with one of his brothers engaged in a general merchan- dising business at that place. After spending seven years at Girard he returned to Jersey County and resumed farming operations, at the same time conducting a country store near his home. In 1880 he came to Missouri and settled in Butler County, where he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits exclusively until 1888. His identification with the farm- ing interests, and his thorough knowledge of merchandising as well, caused him to be se- lected at that time as business manager of the Farmers' Alliance Co-operative Association, whose stores were located in Poplar Bluff. He was admirably fitted for this position, and dur- ing the two years that he had charge of the affairs of the association it was remarkably prosperous and paid good dividends to the promoters of the enterprise and members of the association. His rigid honesty and busi- ness sagacity were recognized by all with whom he was brought into contact, and as merchant and farmer he was equally success- ful. In later years he has been chiefly inter- ested in farming operations and in promoting the interest of the farmers of Butler County. Early in his career as a citizen of that county his fitness for official position was recognized, and from 1883 to 1885 he served as a judge of the county court. He was also appointed to superintend the building of the county jail, and in this connection he rendered valuable serv- ices to the people among whom he has now lived for twenty years. Later he was chosen a justice of the peace and proved himself a capable and efficient magistrate. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and from time to time he has rendered effective services in pro- moting the welfare and success of his party. He is a member of the Masonic order and is much esteemed by those associated with him in that mystic brotherhood. In 1856 Judge Armstrong married Miss Martha L. Everts, a native of Vermont, and they have had six children, five of whom are living.
Armstrong, David H., United States Senator, was born October 21, 1812, in Nova Scotia, and died in St. Louis, March 18, 1893. He was educated at Wesleyan Seminary, of Redfield, Maine, and after completing his col-
lege course became a school teacher. In 1837 he taught at McKendree College, of Leb- anon, Illinois, and in 1838 became principal of the Benton School of St. Louis. He sev- ered his connection with the public schools of the city in 1847 to become city comptroller of St. Louis, and held that office for three years. Governor Sterling Price appointed him an aid-de-camp on his staff, with the rank of colonel, in 1853. In 1854 President Pierce appointed him postmaster of St. Louis, and he held that office four years. In 1873 he was appointed a member of the board of police commissioners of St. Louis and was reap- pointed to that office by Governor Phelps. He was a member of the board of freehold- ers which framed the present city charter of St. Louis, in 1876, and in 1877 was appointed United States Senator to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Lewis V. Bogy. For many years he was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, and as chairman of that committee he directed the fusion of Democrats and Liberal Republi- cans in the campaign of 1870, which resulted in the Democrats regaining control of Mis- souri. At the time of his death he was the oldest living member of George Washington Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., of St. Louis.
Armstrong, James C., clergyman and editor, was born in Franklin County, Mis- souri, in 1847. He grew up on a farm, en - during the hardship of that manner of life, but deriving from it at the same time the benefits which come from thorough indus- trial training and the best opportunities for physical development. Reared in a "new country," his early educational advantages were such as were afforded at one of the old- time log schoolhouses, in a community com- posed chiefly of Germans. Intelligent, Chris- tian parents, however, gave direction to his aspirations and energies, and, making the best use of his opportunities, he crossed thie threshold of manhood fairly well fitted to enter upon an advanced course of study. At twenty-one years of age he became a student at William Jewell College, of Liberty, Mis- souri, where he pursued his studies through a complete course of seven years. In 1875 that institution conferred upon him the degree of master of arts, and a few years later honored him with the degree of doctor of divinity. While still an undergraduate he began writing
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the Sunday school lessons for the "Central Baptist," evineing even then his capacity and fondness for religious journalism. After com- pleting his academic and theological studies he was for two years pastor of a church at Miami, Missouri, and then became associate editor of the "Central Baptist" with William Ferguson, serving at the same time as pastor of Delmar Avenue Baptist Church. Subse- quently he filled a pastorate of five years at Mexico, and another of seven years at West- port, Kansas City, Missouri. During most of this time he was an editorial writer for the denominational organ of the State, and in 1893 he returned to its editorial management. a position which he has since filled with honor to himself and to the good of the church and the cause of Christianity. He has also been for years a trustee of William Jewell College, and recording secretary of the "Board of State Missions." In 1896 he made a brief trip abroad, but aside from this he has spent his life in the State of his nativity. Because of his position he is intimately acquainted with the Baptist people and all affairs of the Baptist Church in Missouri, is directly connected with all its educational, charitable and other enterprises, and is an influential factor in ad- vaneing all its interests.
Arnold, Frank De Witt, a survivor of the Baxter Springs (Kansas) massacre, now a resident of Lamar, Missouri, was born April 5, 1845, near Candor, New York. His parents having removed to Wisconsin when he was five years of age, Frank received his education in that State. In 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, when in his sixteenth year, he. attempted to enlist in the Tenth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, but was rejected on ac- count of his youth. February 10, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Third Wisconsin Cav- alry Regiment, and with that command partici- pated in the arduous and bloody service of the army of the frontier, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove and Cane Hill, as well as in many less important but severe engagements, and in almost daily skirmishing with the forces of Shelby and numerous guerrilla bands. He was one of the heroes in the awful massacre on the site of the present Baxter Springs, Kansas, and escaped, dreadfully maimed and disfig- ured, when supposed to be dead. He was one of 117 men of his own company, and Com- pany A, of the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry
Regiment, forming the escort of General Blunt, who was en route from Fort Scott, Kansas, to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. The march began on the night of October 4. 1863. Soon after noon, October 6th, the troops were attacked by Quantrell and four hundred men, who were not known to be in the vicinity. Many of them wore Federal clothing, and the greater part of their force were near before they were suspected of hos- tile intentions. After receiving the first fire only the Wisconsin company attempted re- sistance, the others having fled, being without ammunition. It withheld fire until the guer- rillas were within ten rods and then discharged a deadly volley, emptying several saddles and causing considerable confusion. Before arms could be reloaded the enemy had recovered and came in a resistless charge. Arnold's horse was shot under him, and he himself re- ceived four wounds ; two balls entered his face and one broke his arm. While he was lying helpless a trooper leaned over him, demanding his surrender. He was too weak to make re- ply. His revolver was taken from him and discharged into his face, with the fiendish re- mark: "Young man, when you go to hell say to the devil that the last man you saw on earth was Quantrell." Arnold is ignorant as to whether his assailant was the guerrilla chief himself, or one of his men. Apparently dead, he was stripped of his clothing, but was not molested further, and the enemy rode away. He lay on the field until 10 o'clock at night, when he was found by a comrade and taken to camp. Of the 117 men attacked 98 were killed in action or in flight. Besides Arnold only two others on the scene of battle escaped with their lives, and of the three Arnold alone survives. He was nursed in the hospital at Fort Scott, and upon recovery entered upon active service against the Indians. While thus engaged a horse was shot under him in an action west of Fort Larned. He was of- fered a commission as captain, but declined it, not caring to assume the responsibilities of the position and preferring the comparative inde- pendence of the seout. He was discharged from service March 14, 1865. In October of that year he located in Lamar and entered upon an active business career. In 1874 he opened the Lamar House, which he conducted until 1898, when he closed it to take charge of the more modern Piekwiek Hotel, inthe man- agement of which he yet continues. July 24,
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1894, he founded the "Barton County Repub- lican," and in the following January bought and consolidated with it the "Southwest Mis- sourian." He conducted the paper with marked success and obtained for it a large cir- culation, through its merit entirely, without personal solicitation. He afterward disposed of it, and it is continued as the "Lamar Re- publican." He has occupied many respon- sible positions, and has discharged every duty intelligently and with entire fidelity.
Arnold, Marshall, lawyer and member of Congress, was born in St. Francois County, Missouri, October 21, 1845. He received his education in the common schools, and in 1870 was made professor in Arcadia College. He acted as deputy clerk of the county, circuit and probate courts of St. Francois County, and after removing to Scott County and es- tablishing himself in the practice of law was elected prosecuting attorney, and served two terms in the Legislature. He was presidential elector on the Hancock ticket in 1880, and in 1890 was elected as a Democrat to Congress from the Fourteenth Missouri District, and in 1892 was re-elected, by a vote of 1,932 to 13.027 for J W. Rogers, Republican.
Arnold's Station .- A hamlet, the post- office name of which was formerly Blue Eagle. It is located on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad in Clay County, seven miles north- east of Kansas City. It takes its name from its founder, M. S. Arnold, and is an important shipping point. On the 4th of March, 1880, the western portion of the town was destroyed by fire, but was promptly rebuilt. The popula- tion in 1899 was estimated at 150.
Arpent .- A French measure of both length and surface, of which frequent mention is made in the French and Spanish records of St. Louis. In some provinces of France the arpent was the equivalent of five-sixths of an English acre of land, while in others it was equivalent to seven-eighths of an acre. When applied to land measurement in Upper and Lower Louisiana, this variation in superficial quantity occasioned more or less confusion in the verification of French and Spanish land surveys by American surveyors, and led to the establishment-after the cession of this terri- tory to the United States-of an arbitrary
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