Fonds med-19 - Armstrong family fonds

The Armstrong family, headed by father Robert Goodfellow Armstrong and mother Euphemia (nee Miller), are among the early pioneering families to settle in the Medicine Hat area. Robert Armstong, having graduated from the Veterinary School at Agricultural Hall, Toronto, in June 1872, also attained the rank of Captain in the militia, and was also referred to as "Doc" or "Captain". Married on June 26, 1876, the Armstrong's were blessed with five children; Peter Robert (1877-1926), Katherine Somerville (1878-1963), George Miller (1880-1965), William Goodfellow (1882-1968), and Fannie Elizabeth (born and died March 28, 1890). In 1893, Euphemia Armstrong passed away. Robert later remarried to Elizabeth (nee Callard) (1870-1938), and two more Armstrong children were born; John Edward (1909-1961), and Marjorie Helena (1911-?). The exact year which the Armstrong's moved west is unclear. It is believed that the eldest son, Peter, came to the Fort Walsh area around 1895, seeking employment with horse ranchers who were known by his father. George, William and Katherine soon followed, (ca 1897). Their father eventually applied for homestead near Reesor Lake on Sec. 32, Tnsp. 8, Rg. 1, W4th, in 1900. By 1906, the elder Armstrong abandoned the Cypress Hills ranch, and relocated to Macklin, Saskatchewan. By 1918, the Armstrong parents had returned to their original property in Ontario. Brothers Peter, George and William were employed with several Cypress Hills ranchers, among them were Sam and William Fawcett of the East and West Ranch. Vowing to keep the family together, sister Katherine helped to maintain house and home until her marriage to Frederick McLaughlin in June 16, 1906. Eventually, the brothers married; Peter to Etta Porter in June 1923, George to Annie Zwick in November 2, 1922, and Will to Winnifreth Beal Browne in 1913, and later to Helen Margery Browne, in 1949. William took up farming at Central Butte, Saskatchewan. In 1913, Peter and George became owners of the East and West Ranch. Following Peter's death in 1926, George assumed the responsibilities of the entire ranch until his three sons, Robert, Peter and Arnold took over in 1947. This partnership was dissolved in 1982. Peter still manages the "home place", while brother Robert, manages his Bassano land.