Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 474

ELIZUR ANDREWS.  It is always a pleasure to deal with the history of one of those grand old families that have for generations been distinguished for patriotism, the genuine spirit of Christianity and the strong characteristics which have made them men of mark.  Mr. Andrews, whose portrait accompanies this life sketch, comes of good old fighting sock, his grandfather.  Francis Andrews, having served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. and his father, James Andrews, having been a soldier in the War of 1812.  The latter served under Generals Harrison and Bell,  and assisted in cutting out Bell's Trail from the East to the Maumee River.  He participated in all the engagements of the West during that war and was honorably discharged at its close.
     James Andrews was born in York County, Pa. and was one of  the pioneers of Ashland County, settling there as early as 1815.  The country was a wilderness at that time, wild animals abounded, and Indians were frequently seen.  He married Miss Christina daughter of John Humprhey, who was a native of Germany.  Soon after his marriage, he settled in the above-mentioned county, where he and h is economical and thrifty wife soon developed a fine farm.  They were the parents of seven children, two of whom are living: Elizur and Francis S.  Worthy and exemplary church members, this worthy couple were highly respected and honored by all.  He was a Democrat in politics.   She received her final summons in 1829 and he in 1863.
     The original of this notice was born in Richland, Ohio, in 1819, and remained on  the home place until the age of thirty-three, when he moved on the place where he now resides.  In 1843, he married Miss Catherine  Ann Fleming, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of David and Ann S. Fleming, natives also of the Keystone State.  After his marriage, Mr. Andrews settled in Ashland County, Ohio, whence, in the fall of 1852, he removed to Goshen Township, Auglaize County, and has ever since resided on section 7, having there one of the most desirable farms in the county.  He commenced to develop his farm at once after locating upon it, and although the surroundings were wild and neighbors few, he never became discouraged, but soon had eight acres cleared and ready for cultivation.  In addition to his farm labors, a great amount of care fell upon him owing to the fact that his wife was a cripple for along time, and for eleven years prior to her death was unable to walk.  She passed away Aug. 2, 1878, of pulmonary consumption, being fifty-seven years old at the time of her decease.  She was member of the Associate Reformed Church, and was a woman of lovely character, whose consistent Christian life proved the sincerity of her religions belief.  Six of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, are living, namely: Jane, who married Matahew B. F. Whetstone, and lives in Kansas; Emily C., wife of O. F. Wheatley; Lucinda E., Mrs. John Horn; Sarah R., Mrs. Morris; O. F. and James A., all of whom were favored with good educational advantages.
     The productive and fertile farm owned and occupied by Mr. Andrews, comprises two hundred acres, and is  well stocked with fine horses, cattle sheep and hogs, of  as fine breed as is to be found in the county, and many of his blooded animals have been shipped to the East and England.  An honest, industrious man, he has contributed his share toward the advancement of the community, and is regarded as one of its most enterprising citizens.  At the age of seventy-three, he is well-preserved and active, and attends to all his business affairs with the vim and enthusiasm of a man of forty.  In his political views, he has been a life-long democrat, and his first Presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren in 1840.  He was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, which, in the spring of 1859, was united with the Associate Church, forming what is now known as the United Presbyterian Church, with which he is identified.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 301

DAVID ARMSTRONG, who is a representative of one of the very first families to settle within the borders of what is now Auglaize County, on the present site of St. Mary's, is a pioneer dry-goods merchant of this city of his birth, has ever been among the foremost in planning and carrying forward enterprises for its development, and his name will always be associated with its rise and growth.
     Sept. 28, 1833, is the date of our subject's birth into one of the first homes established at St. Mary's.  His father, who bore the same name as himself, was a native of Virginia.  He came to St. Mary's in 1822 with his parents, the Armstrongs being one of the first families to settle in this locality, there being but two or three others here at that time.  The country was one vast wilderness, inhabited only by Indians and wild beasts, and it required the utmost fortitude and courage to endure many of the hardships encountered in a frontier life.  The father of our subject assisted in the improvement of the land that his father settled on, until he started out in life for himself as a boatman on the St. Mary's River.  In those days, goods were brought from Cincinnati and Dayton to this point with a team, and were then taken by boat down the St. Mary's River, which was then navigable, to Fort Wayne, Ind.  He followed that occupation for ten years, but it was a hard life, and his naturally strong constitution gave way from exposure, and he died in 1833, when only thirty-five years old.  His wife survived him until 1852, when she, too, passed away.  Her name was Eleanor Scott, and she was the daughter of an early pioneer family of this vicinity, that also emigrated from Virginia.  She was the mother of two sons.  John H., the elder, joined the gold-hunters, crossed the plains to California, and died there in 1852.
     Our subject was thus left the sole survivor of the family.  His first school days were passed in an old log schoolhouse, and he subsequently attended the common district school, wherein he obtained such an education as the times afforded.  He has a distinct remembrance of St. Mary's as it used to be in his childhood days - a roughly-built hamlet with but few houses, and those constructed mostly of logs - and he is familiar with every stage of the city-s development, from the days when the Indians used to frequent the little village to the present, when the aborigines have long since passed far to the Westward, and a thriving modern city marks the spot which, perchance, once formed a part of their hunting-grounds.
     Mr. Armstrong spent the most of his boyhood on a farm, but he had a leaning toward mercantile pursuits, and in 1855 he secured a position as clerk in a store at St. Mary's.  Apr. 15, 1860, is an important date in his life, as he then embarked in the dry-goods business for himself, beginning on a small scale, and for more than thirty-two years he has been a leading dry-goods merchant of his native city.  In 1876, he erected a substantial brick block on Spring Street, which he has since occupied, having it fitted up in an attractive style, and completely stocked with everything in his line, including notions, carpets, etc.  Mr. Armstrong's son-in-law, J. S. Stout, is associated with him in the business, which is carefully conducted on a sound financial basis, and at the same time the firm is quick to see and take advantage of all opportunities for increasing its trade and enlarging its profits legitimately.
     Mr. Armstrong has by no means confined his energies to mercantile pursuits, but he has launched out in other directions, and has been eminently successful in all his undertakings.  In1888, he platted an addition to St. Mary's, known as Armstrong's Addition, which is developing rapidly, and already forms an important part of the city.  His large public spirit, and the generous policy that he has always pursued in regard to civic improvements, are too well known to need reference here.  For the past five years our subject has actively interested himself in raising standard-bred horses, and has a farm of one hundred and eighty acres that he devotes to that purpose.  He has several fine thoroughbreds that compare in all points with some of the best blooded animals in the county.  Mr. Armstrong has ably filled various local positions of trust, and the Democratic party has in him one of its most intelligent advocates.  He is a man of high principles, who has borne himself honorably in all the affairs of life, and is deserving of hte confidence reposed in him, and of the great respect and esteem accorded to him on all sides.
     Mr. Armstrong was married in 1854 to Miss Fredonia C. Rankin, a native of St. Mary's.  She died in 1861, after a happy wedded life of ten years, leaving one child, R. H., who is now married, and is a prosperous boot and shoe merchant in his native city.  Our subject was married to his present estimable wife in 1866.  Mr. Armstrong, whom former name was Henrietta Carr, is a native of Indiana.  Her pleasant marriage with our subject has brought them two children, Nellie, wife of J. S. Stout, and Lillian, at home with her parents.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 544