Living

Other Events:

• Name: Tooter Armstrong
• Occupation: 1940, , Rusk, Texas, USA; common laborer on the WPA Road Project
• Military: 7 Jan 1941, Tyler, Smith, Texas, USA; US Army
• Occupation: Aft 1960; farmer

Notes:

Elzie married Carmen twice but I haven't found marriage records for any of them.

In a postcard from Tooter to Neeley - no date
This is a picture of the hospital. I'm tired of being in the hospital. I'm sending some more pictures.

In a letter from Tooter to Neeley dated 10/24/42
Tooter was in El Paso, Neeley in Mt. Enterprise.
Robert is now in Australia and Tooter doesn't like it. He wants to know how his friend, Jack Woodward, died. Tooter is now in the Quartermasters (cook). Roy Dean weighs 12-1/2 pounds.

An empty envelope from Tooter to Ruben dated 1/26/43
Fort Bliss to Mt. Enterprise

An empty envelope from Tooter to Ruben dated 4/14/43
Fort Bliss to Mt. Enterprise

Another empty envelope from Tooter to Neeley dated 7/27/43
San Francisco to Mt. Enterprise

Another letter from Tooter to Neeley dated 10/27/43
California to Mt. Enterprise
He went to see Mattie and Roy Dean was sick (getting better). He wants to send Mattie to Texas when he leaves (he's going overseas to fight). He hasn't heard from Robert and is worried.

A letter to Nettie Mae dated 9/4/44
APO San Francisco to ?
He is breaking up with Mattie, he should have married June. If he ever marries again, it will be to June after he has a business of his own. He asks her what she is going to do about Mike Warnash (his best friend), he thought she was going to marry Mike, Mike is crazy about her. And what about little Pete Green? June needs a place to stay. She won't be trouble like Mattie was. June writes him everyday and she gave him an expensive fountain pen. Tooter has been a sergeant for almost a month and didn't know it until a week ago. He got 43 letters in one day. June's sister, Louise, writes from Dallas.

A letter to Neeley dated 1/15/45
Philipines to Mt. Enterprise
He cannot say where he is, somewhere in the Philipines. He likes it better than New Guinea. He saw Robert in New Guinea. June sent two packages at Christmas, Mattie sent 2 packages, and he got 4 or 5 more packages. He thinks Robert has been overseas long enough. He's waiting for a Filipino to bring him a roasted chicken.

Another letter dated 3/3/49
From Albuquerque, New Mexico to Mt. Enterprise
He got a job driving a truck and has been all over the place: Farmington, New Mexico, Arlington (Harlingen?), Texas, Raymondsville, Texas.

Another letter dated 5/18/50
From Dallas to Mt. Enterprise
Are you still living at the B.A. place? Did you find some of our clothes? Donald's and mine? Is Pete still working at the mill? Page went to see Jerry. Page? has 5 kids now - 3 boys and two girls, oldest 6 or 7 - with Jerry that makes 6 kids. Signed from Elzie, June and boys.

Elzie married Lena Allene WHITTEN on 24 Sep 1954 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA. Lena (daughter of Joe Mack WHITTEN and Lillie May BLACKMAN) was born on 26 Oct 1928 in Appleby, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA; died on 4 Apr 1992 in Tyler, Smith, Texas, USA; was buried on 6 Apr 1992 in Henderson, Rusk, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Registered Nurse

Other Events:

• Military: 5 Jun 1917, Minden, Rusk, Texas, USA; draft
• Census: 8 Jan 1920, Laneville, Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 68, pg 12A
• Census: 16 Apr 1930, Laneville, Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 23, pg 9B
• Census: 19 Apr 1940, , Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 201-23, pg 5B
• Military: 1942, Mount Enterprise, Rusk, Texas, USA
• Residence: Jun 1969, Henderson, Rusk, Texas, USA; 1111 W Main St
• Obituary: 25 Jun 1969, Henderson, Rusk, Texas, USA; Henderson Daily News

Notes:

Reuben was a farmer (sharecropper) most of his adult life. Dad (George) says they moved around a lot, probably after 1940. From looking at census records, I believe they lived in the same place at least until the 1940 Census. I know Pete was born in a house near Uncle Lawrence's old place so this theory makes sense. At some point after the census, they moved to the Minden area where DeSanto Winfrey lived and Perkin and George became life-long friends with their honorary cousins.

In a letter from Ruben to Robert L. and Raymond George dated 8/3/41.
Ruben lives in Mt. Enterprise Robert & Raymond are in Colorado in a CC Camp.
He stayed all day with Uncle Lawrence (Armstrong) and Grandpa (Benjamin Armstrong). Grandpa is poorly. Got a letter from Tooter (Elzie D.) yesterday, he is out of hospital after 2-3 weeks. He has been in hospital before. Ruben got him a bunch of banties. He has been "disabled" for 9 weeks and can't do anything which doesn't set well with him.

Another letter dated 8/19/41
He got the pictures from them. Regrette? sold the Minden sawmill to the Threshs, Ruben will start nightwatching there Thursday. They moved the mill up the hill, but left the planer in its original location.
An added note dated 8/20/41 says he just heard that Grandpa died and will be buried tomorrow.

In his later years, Ruben was "blown up" when he turned on a stove and went to sleep on his couch. We are unsure if the fire went out or never came on but it eventually exploded, throwing a slighty singed Ruben, still on the couch, out into the yard.

Military:
Ruben Armstrong, age 22, born 13 Jul 1895, in Rogers, AR, is a married farmer. He is of medium height with blue eyes and light brown hair.

Census:
Precinct 5
Head Rubin Armstrong M 23 Arkansas
Wife Neelie Armstrong F 22 Texas
Son Robert Armstrong M 1 Texas

Census:
Precinct 5
Rubin Armstrong 35
Neelie Armstrong 34
Robert L Armstrong 12
Elzie D Armstrong 9
Nettie M Armstrong 8
Irene Armstrong 5
Perkins Armstrong 2 7/12
George E Armstrong 8/12
[next door to Lawrence]

Census:
Old Laneville Road
Reuben Armstrong Head M 45 Texas
Neeley Armstrong Wife F 44 Texas
Robert Armstrong Son M 21 Texas
Elzie Armstrong Son M 19 Texas
Nettie May Armstrong Dau F 17 Texas
Irene Armstrong Dau F 13 Texas
Harold Armstrong Son M 12 Texas
George A Armstrong Son M 10 Texas
Pete Armstrong Son M 5 Texas
Raymond George Nephew M 17 Texas

Military:
Draft Registration only.

Obituary:

RUBEN ARMSTRONG
Funeral Services for Ruben Armstrong, 73, of 1111 West Main Street will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Adams officiating.
Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Armstrong died at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday at Henderson Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
A native of Arkansas, he had lived in Rusk County for the past 55 years. A member of the Baptist Church, he was a retired farmer.
Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Neeley Armstrong of Henderson; five sons, Robert L. and Elzie D. Armstrong, both of Henderson, Harold P., George A., and Pete Armstrong, all of Houston; two daughters, Mrs. Nettie Mae Green of Houston and Mrs. Irene Armstrong of Henderson; four brothers, Lawrence Armstrong of Laneville, Johnny Armstrong of Wright City, Buddy Armstrong of Henderson and Oscar Cook of Dallas; three sisters, Mrs. Minnie Davis and Mrs. Bird Watkins, both of Dallas, and Mrs. Margie Rexrode of Laneville; 26 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Died:
Ruben went to pay a man some money he owned. Upon reaching the second floor apartment, he asked the man's wife if he could sit down for a minute. The woman was concerned and called down to Irene who had driven him. They got Ruben to the car and Irene took him to the hospital where he died.

Buried:
Ruben told his family he wanted to be buried at Maple Grove because of the nearby pond where he could go fishing.

Ruben married Neeley Neana MILLS on 2 Jun 1916 in , Rusk, Texas, USA. Neeley (daughter of Ira MILLS and Emma MCKINNON) was born on 30 Aug 1896 in Linn Flat, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA; died on 17 Jun 1983 in Henderson, Rusk, Texas, USA; was buried on 19 Jun 1983 in Minden, Rusk, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Neana Mills
• Obituary: 18 Jun 1983, Henderson, Rusk, Texas, USA; Henderson Daily News

Notes:

I don't know why her name changed from Neana to Neeley after her marriage. The census records name her Neana or Neanah with her parents but her descendants never knew her as anything but Neeley so I have named her Neeley Neana.

In a letter from Mrs. Ira Clifton (a cousin) to Neeley dated 1/12/45
Garrison, Texas - Mt. Enterprise
JE is at Bruning, Nebraska. Ethel is here and the baby is fat as a "guinie" pig. They are going to Houston. [Ira Clifton 458-88-5080 75961(Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, TX)?]

In a letter from Georgie Fields to Neeley dated 9/26/46
Humble, Texas to Mt. Enterprise
(Ruben has hurt his arm.) How is Ruben's arm? She also mentions uncle Charlie Bird. (Everyone's uncle.)

An empty envelope from someone to Neeley dated 3/13/54
Annapolis, Maryland to Houston (Perkin)

Another letter from Georgie dated 2/8/68
Conroe to Minden
I'm sorry you had the flu. I had inner ear trouble. Leon (my oldest) moved to Liberty. I miss Reed Mountain and I want to see my folks at Nacogdoches.

A letter from Doule and Virgie Crow (Albert Jr's ex) to Neeley dated 2/28/68
Tell Perkin to come see me when he comes to see Honey and Esther. Husband almost died. Gall bladder burst 12/20/67 and scar tissue wrapped around intestines and blocked it in January. Was in the hospital seven weeks. Bobby (my son) lives in Channelview. Albert is in Pennsylvania, Honey is in Houston. Sonny (the baby) is in Japan in the Air Force. He married a Korean girl and has a baby girl one year old. I am 65 now, drawing old age pension - tell Robert it doesn't go far. (he and I used to talk about what we would do with our pensions.)

A letter from Nervy (Dora Minerva Armstrong?) to Neeley - no date
I wish I could plant a garden. Landlord made us get rid of the chickens. Going to write a letter to Dottis (Ruben's sis-in-law). Minnie (Ruben's sister) lives in Dallas, she is having her teeth pulled. Tom (don't know which one) lives in Boise, Idaho.

Obituary:
(unsure of date)
NEELEY ARMSTRONG
Funeral services for Neeley Armstrong, 86, of Rt. 6, Henderson, will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Adams officiating.
Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Mrs. Armstrong died at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday in Henderson Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was born Aug. 30, 1896, in Nacogdoches County and was an 80-year resident of Rusk County. She was the widow of Ruben Armstrong and was a member of the Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today.
Survivors include five sons, Robert L. Armstrong, Elzie D. Armstrong, Harold P. Armstrong, George A. Armstrong and Pete Armstrong, all of Henderson; two daughters, Mrs. Nettie Mae Green of Henderson and Mrs. Irene Johnson of Rt. 3 Henderson; one brother, Lawrence Mills of Henderson; 32 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Loyd Armstrong, Charlie Armstrong, Robert Wayne Armstrong, Jack Green, Ricky Armstrong and Harold Armstrong, Jr.

Notes:

Married:
Gregg Co, Texas Marriage Book, book N page 379. (Two marriage licenses?) Grandma and Grandpa were separated even when I was a child in the late 50s, each one living with a different child.

Notes:

(Medical):damaged pancreas and bronchial pneumonia

Joe married Lillie May BLACKMAN on 14 Aug 1926. Lillie was born on 6 Sep 1907 in , Shelby, Texas, USA; died on 1 Nov 1968 in , Harris, Texas, USA; was buried on 4 Nov 1968 in , Harris, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Frank Armstrong
• Census: 1880, , Benton, Arkansas, USA; ED 13, pg 29 (430C)
• Census: 27 Jun 1900, , Benton, Arkansas, USA; ED 10, pg 15B
• Census: 1910, , Benton, Arkansas, USA; ED 19, pg 4B
• Census: 1920, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA; ED 55, pg 18B
• Census: 17 Apr 1930, , Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 23, pg 11B
• Census: 3 Apr 1940, Laneville, Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 201-28, pg 1B

Notes:

Who is T. M. Armstrong who reported his death?

(Medical):(heart failure)

Census:
Bright Water Township, District 13
ARMSTRONG B. F. Self M M W 22 Laborer AR MO IL
ARMSTRONG Sarah Wife M F W 25 Keeping House MO IL IL
ARMSTRONG Martha B. Dau S F W 3 AR AR MO
ARMSTRONG Thomas V. Son S M W 1 AR AR MO

Census:
Esculapia Township
Armstrong, Benjamin F head W M Apr 1857 43 M 8 AR TN MO Farm Laborer
Effie M wife W F May 1874 26 M 8 KS TN MO
Charles O son W M Oct 1890 9 S AR AR KS
Minnie dau W F Jul 1893 6 S AR AR KS
Reuben son W M Jul 1895 4 S AR AR KS
Isabel dau W F Nov 1896 3 S AR AR KS
They live next to her dad, James Disney.

Census:
Esculapia Township
Benjamin F Armstrong M 52 M2 AR (m. 18 yrs)
Effie M Armstrong F 36 M1 KS (m. 18 yrs) 8/8
Reuben Armstrong M 14 S AR
Isabell Armstrong F 13 S AR
Lawrence Armstrong M 8 S AR
Laura Armstrong F 8 S AR
Rachel Armstrong F 6 S AR
Dora M Armstrong F 4 S AR

Census:
Precinct 27
John T Davis head 27 M TX paper hanger
Minnie Davis wife 26 M AR
Ava Davis dau 8 S TX
Leroy Davis son 6 S TX
B F Armstrong f-i-l 63 W AR
Nerva Armstrong s-i-l 14 S AR
Beatrus Armstrong s-i-l 8 S TX
Keith Armstrong b-i-l 6 S TX
Johnie Armstrong b-i-l 4 6/12 S TX

Census:
Precinct 5 (probably Laneville)
Armstrong, Benjamin F head M 71 W Ark
Johnie son M 12 S Tex

Census:
Precinct 5, Laneville and Cushing Road
Larnce Armstrong Head M 38 Arkansas
Mary Armstrong Wife F 38 Texas
Emmett E Armstrong Son M 14 Texas
Charlie Armstrong Son M 11 Texas
Cesil Edward Armstrong Son M 9 Texas
Bonnie Mae Armstrong Dau F 6 Texas
Billie Jo Armstrong Dau F 4 Texas
Lloyd D Armstrong Son M 6/12 Texas
Benjamon Armstrong Father M 82 Arkansas

Benjamin married Effie May DISNEY on 22 May 1892 in , Benton, Arkansas, USA. Effie (daughter of James Harrison DISNEY and Eliza H MARTIN) was born on 22 May 1874 in Longton, Elk, Kansas, USA; died on 6 Jul 1918 in Troup, Smith, Texas, USA; was buried on 7 Jul 1918 in , Smith, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Ethel Mae Disney

Notes:

Died:
Her death certificate was made out as Cherokee County. Troup is on the border of Cherokee and Smith. I'll always wonder why she was in Troup and why she was buried so far from the rest of the family. I wish I could have talked to Uncle Oscar about her.

Other Events:

• Census: 13 Jun 1900, , Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 86, pg 11A
• Census: 1910, Mount Enterprise, Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 55, pg 2A
• Census: 8 Jan 1920, Laneville, Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 68, pg 12A
• Census: 11 Apr 1930, , Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 28, pg 6B
• Census: 1940, , Rusk, Texas, USA; ED 201-25 pg 8A
• death certificate: 4 Dec 1940; Lawrence Mills

Notes:

Birth:
1870 census says he was 7 which makes him born in 1863.

Census:
Justice Precinct 4, voting precincts 12 & 14
Mills Ira Head W M Jan 1864 36 M 5 Farmer TX TN TN
Mills Emma Wife W F Mar 1865 35 M 5 2 1 TX TN NC
Mills Neana Daughter W F Apr 1896 3 S TX TX TX

Census:

Mills, Ira head 44 M 13 TX TN AL farmer
Emma wife 43 TX TN TN
Neanah dau 12
Lawrence son 1

Census:
Head Ira Mills M 59 Texas
Wife Emma Mills F 58 Texas
Son Lawrence Mills M 11 Texas

Census:
Precinct 8
MILLS, Ira head M 67 TX TN AL
Emma wife F 66 TX TN TN
Manda sister F 75 TX KY KY
Lawrence son M 22 TX TX TX

Census:
Precinct 4
Head Larnce Mills M 32 Texas
Father Ira Mills M 76 Texas

Ira married Emma MCKINNON on 6 Sep 1895 in , Nacogdoches, Texas, USA. Emma (daughter of John MCKINNON and Frances WHITE) was born in Mar 1865 in , , Texas, USA; died on 19 Mar 1936 in Abilene, Taylor, Texas, USA; was buried on 23 Mar 1936 in Abilene, Taylor, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emma McKinnon is the daughter of John McKinnon and Frances White. She was born in Texas, probably in northern Nacogdoches County. She started having seizures in middle age and, in about 1931, Emma boarded a train in East Texas that carried her to Abilene where she walked to the State Hospital and admitted herself. She and daughter, Neeley wrote many letters until her epilepsy-related death.

(Medical):Emma was epileptic and had 4 children who did not live.

Died:
She was an epileptic and went to live at the hopital. Dad never knew either of his grandmothers.