Today, my brother and I stood at the grave of our third great-grandfather, John Christopher Armstrong, reflecting on the remarkable journey of his life. Born in Carlisle, England, on November 27, 1813, John grew up in a family steeped in history and privilege. His father was John Armstrong, and his mother, Eleanor Graham, connected him to a notable lineage.
John married Mary Kirkbride on September 7, 1840, in Wetheral, England. In 1844, John and Mary joined the LDS Church, influenced by missionaries, including Parley P. Pratt. Their baptism in Manchester marked a deep commitment to their new faith. This commitment led him to the pioneer efforts in Salt Lake City, where he traveled with the Abraham O. Smoot/George B. Wallace Company in 1847. Their son Joseph Hyrum Armstrong was born on October 14, 1846, in St. Louis.
In 1851, John returned to England on a mission for the church. During his absence, his family in Utah was erroneously informed of his death. When he returned to the United States, he adopted the alias Drewer C. Iverson and began a new chapter of his life.
By 1854, John had already assumed his new identity and was living alone. He settled in Ohio, where he resumed his work as a tailor and rebuilt his life. In 1857, he married Meillie Billingsley in St. Clairsville, Ohio, under his alias.
The Civil War brought another significant phase to John's life. Serving in Company A of the 25th Ohio Infantry under his assumed name, he demonstrated courage and resilience in several key battles, including the Battle of Cheat Mountain, the Battle of Greenbrier River, and the Siege of Yorktown. He was mustered out of the army after being wounded on October 1, 1862.
After the war, John continued to rebuild his life. In 1865, his daughter Effie Eleanor was born, followed by Maud Spencer in 1867, and William Graham in 1871. By August 1875, he moved to Connellsville, Pennsylvania, continuing his trade and integrating into the local community.
According to his will, John visited Scotland in September 1880, where he was recognized by family members and learned about the death of his brother William. He returned to Connellsville in October 1880. In his will, written on January 31, 1881, he finally revealed his true name. Following this revelation, several of his children changed their names from Iverson to Armstrong, including our great-grandfather, William Graham.
John Christopher Armstrong passed away on June 7, 1881. His legacy endures through his contributions as a pioneer and settler, commemorated with a monument in Southern Utah. Standing at his grave today, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and humility for the challenges he overcame and the legacy he left behind. I also felt proud of the incredible resilience and fortitude he demonstrated throughout his life.