Individual 700: Armstrong, Martha Jane

Individual Record 700

Name} Armstrong, Martha Jane

Family History} Olson

Title}

Race} White

Sex} Female

Birth: Date} Exa 16 May 1880

Place} St. Marys, Blanshard Twp., Perth, Ontario

Marr.: Date} Fam 15 Mar 1916

Place} Cooperstown, Griggs, North Dakota (Link)

Death: Date} Exa 30 Aug 1970

Place} St. Lukes Hospital, Cooperstown, Griggs, North Dakota

Burial: Date} Fam 2 Sep 1970

Place} Cooperstown Cemetery, Cooperstown, Griggs, North Dakota

Grave Marker} Yes

Source 1}	353 = Family notes
Source 2}	373 = Geog history
Source 3}	385 = Obituaries
Source 4}	873 = Birth record
Source 5}	973 = 1881 Can cen
Source 6}	971 = 1891 Can cen
Source 7}	972 = 1901 Can cen
Source 8}	965 = 1915 ND cen
Source 9}	966 = 1920 USA cen
Source 10}	967 = 1925 ND cen
Source 11}	968 = 1930 USA cen
Source 12}	1269=1940 USA cen
Source 13}	545 = S.S. record
Source 14}	1545=Death record
Source 15}	963 = Cemetery rec

Parents: } William Armstrong & Ellen McDavid
Relationship No.} None

1st Household No.} 394 = Downie Twp., Perth South, Ontario

Occupation 1} Housewife
Occupation 2}

Religion/Church} Presbyterian

Spouses: Prime} Detwiller, Frederick (Fred)
Total Number of} 1

Notes: Martha Jane Armstrong was born 16 May 1880 in St. Marys, Perth, Ontario. Her birth registration names her as "Elizabeth". In the 1881 Canada census, Martha was living with her parents, William and Ellen Armstrong in Downie Twp., Perth South, Ontario.

Her father, birthdate 8 Jan 1838, was a farmer from Scotland. Her mother, whose name was sometimes reported as Helen, was born about 1857 in the United States. Martha had an older brother John, born in 1876, and an older sister Ellen, born in 1878. Elisabeth Armstrong, probably her paternal grandmother, was also living in the household.

By the 1891 Canada census, the family had grown larger. Martha now had four younger brothers, namely William,born in 1882, Albert, born in 1885, James, born in 1888, and Adam, born in 1891. A sister, Annie, born in 1881, has probably died. John Haggart, a laborer, also resided in the household. Martha's father died 2 Dec 1910. It is unknown when her mother died. By the 1911 Canada census, her family had dispersed in various directions. From the 1940 USA census, we know that Martha completed five grades of school.

In the 1901 Canada census, Martha was living with the Thompson family in Downie Twp., Perth. Alex and Mary Thompson had five children, from ages 6 to newborn. Martha was listed as a domestic servant, probably helping to care for the children. It is unknown where Martha was living in 1910 or 1911. But in the 1916 North Dakota census, she was living as a domestic in the household of Mathilda Detwiller. It is not known why or how Martha moved to North Dakota. Her younger brother William A. Armstrong also moved to North Dakota. William, born 11 Dec 1893, served in WW I, and farmed in Griggs County for most of his life. He died 30 Jul 1977.

Martha married Fredrick (Fred) Detwiller on 15 Mar 1916 in Cooperstown, Griggs, North Dakota. In the 1920 U.S. census, Fred and Martha Detwiller were living on their own farm in Tyrol Twp., Griggs County, North Dakota, located 7 miles north of Cooperstown. They had one daughter Lenore, age 1½ years old. Living with them was his brother, Harry Russell Detwiller, age 28. Oddly, in the 1925 North Dakota census, Fred is listed as living with his brother Harry's family. Then he, and Martha and Lenore are listed as living in Cooperstown. In the 1930 U.S. census, the family was listed living on their farm. In 1925 and 1930, Lenore was listed by her middle name Helen [which was actually her first name at birth].

Martha was a life member of and past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her husband Fred died suddenly of a stroke on Monday 1 Mar 1938. In the 1940 U.S. census, Martha was living on the farm, listed as the farm operator, and her brother, William Armstrong was listed as a partner. She died 30 Aug 1970 in St. Lukes Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota. The funeral was held in the Presbyterian Church, with Rev. S. Kenneth Nelson officiating. She is buried in the Cooperstown Cemetery, along with her husband. She was survived by her daughter Lenore, 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and her brother William.

Time of Birth}

Time of Death}

Fraternal/Social} Eastern Star

Baptism Date}

Place}

Confirm. Date}

Photos} Martha Jane Detwiller

Immigr'n Date} Fam 1913

Port}

Education: Grade} Fifth or Top 2 Degrees}

Military: Service} for the State of}

Health Condition}
Cause of Death}

Last Updated
by} Karen Hancock

Date Updated} 25 May 2014
Date Created} 5 Jun 1993

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