PHILLIP ARMENTROUT

PHILLIP ARMENTROUT, of Jackson Township, is one of the prominent and successful farmers of Shelby County. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, February 28, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Hammond) Armentrout, natives of Rockingham County, Virginia. Phillip was a babe twelve months old when his parents removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana, where they lived five years. In 1853 the family came to Cedar County, Iowa, being among the first settlers. There Phillip grew to manhood, receiving the training of a frontier farmer's son, and the education afforded by the common schools. In 1872 he came to Shelby County, and located at Correction Grove, in Clay Township, with his brother George, who had come to the county in the fall of 1871. In 1877 Mr. Armentrout settled on his present farm, being one of the first settlers in that part of the county. His land was wild and unimproved, but years of labor have developed it into one of the best in Jackson Township; it contains 280 acres, and is well watered by strong, pure springs. There is a comfortable dwelling, situated in the midst of a beautiful grove of seven acres of maples, a fine orchard, a good barn, and all the modern conveniences for farming and stock-raising. Mr. Armentrout keeps large numbers of cattle, horses and swine of the best breeds. In the year 1876, December 28, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ross, of Shelby County, a daughter of H. W. Ross, of Leroy Township, Audubon County. By this union five sons have been born -- Alonzo E., William Otho, Eldoris, Ralph Ellis, and Robert. Mr. Armentrout is a strong adherent to the principles of the Democratic party. He has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is one of the substantial and reliable men of the county.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 628-629. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

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