For many years Charles F. Armstrong has been farming in the vicinity of Coodys Bluff and is readily conceded to be one of the progressive farmers and stockmen in this section of the state. A native of Oklahoma, he was born at one of the first post office stations in Indian Territory, at that time known as Cooscoowie district, on the 27th of February, 1872. His father, Henry Armtrong, a pioneer citizen and registered Delaware, was a son-in-law of Chief Journeycake. For thirty years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Coodys Bluff and Nowata. He suffered a severe loss by fire, but rebuilding, he continued in business for another ten years, at the end of which time he disposed of the business and located on his farm.
He is now, however, living retired in Coffeyville, Kansas, at the age of seventy-six years. While a resident of Nowata county, Mr. Armstrong took an active and prominent part in territorial politics and was the first postmaster at Coodys Bluff. In his family were six children: Albert F., who is living one and one-half miles east of Charles F., and whose sketch appears, elsewhere in this work; Lena, Anna, Rosalie and V. Violet; and Charles F.
Charles F. Armstrong received his early education in the common schools of Coodys Bluff and subsequently attended Pierce City College in Missouri, and Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois. He was twenty-two years of age when he completed his education and, returning to Coodys Bluff, was engaged in the mercantile business with his father for about ten years. After his father disposed of the business, he started farming on his own account, acquiring one hundred acres in the neighborhood of Coodys Bluff, where he now resides, and his father three hundred and sixty acres one mile south of him. Mr. Armstrong is engaged in general farming on an extensive scale, having all of his land under cultivation. His farm is one of the show places of the surrounding community, improved with a fine modern home and outbuildings. The land is also rich in gas and oil.
On the 21st of September, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Armstrong to Miss Ota Ralls, a native of Kansas and a daughter of B. F. and Sarah (Perry) Ralls, who were among the early settlers in Indian Territory. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, having no children of their own, have taken care of and reared to young manhood or womanhood, seven children at various periods. They now have under their care, Victor Ralls, aged eleven years, who is attending the public schools of the county. Mrs. Armstrong is a woman of much culture and refinement and is greatly interested in foreign missions, being a tireless and persistent worker in behalf of that cause.
Mr. Armstrong is one of the representative citizens of his community and his aid may always be counted upon in Life furtherance of any movement for the development and improvement of the general welfare. He devotes his entire time to his agricultural interests, and the success he enjoys is well merited.
