Armstrong Township was one of the first formed in the County of Vanderburgh. It was organized March 9, 1818, and comprised about half of the County. By the contraction of its limits through the formation of other civil Townships, it has been made to comprise but twenty-eight sections of land, in the northwest corner of the County, bounded on the west and north by Posey and Gibson counties, on the east by Scott, and on the south by German Township. Its surface is rolling - more distinctly so in the south part, which in early days was densely timbered, though the forests have long since been almost entirely removed. The soil of the Township is productive, and this combined with the intelligence and thrift of its farmers, makes its people a well-to-do class. The principal stream is Big Creek, flowing through the Township from southeast to southwest. Barr's Creek also traverses the Township in its western part, but the stream is of no importance and was never useful for mill purposes, except on its broader parts beyond the Township line.

          Early Settlers. — While it is impossible to name the year in which the white man and his red brother first stood face to face on the soil of Armstrong Township, it may be recorded with a fair degree of accuracy that among the earliest settlements in the territory now embraced in the confines of Vanderburgh County, were those in this Township. Vincennes was the seat of government and the tide of immigration first set in motion by the consummation of a treaty with the Indians, moved southward from that ancient post and village, and landed a few squatters in the northern part of the County about the same time that its first breakers reached the north bank of the Ohio River, in the Townships of Union, Pigeon and Knight. From the best testimony obtainable, though there are no written memoranda of the facts, the priority of settlement probably rests with the territory along the River border. The first settlements in Armstrong Township were in the northern part, but just when the first cabin was built or the first clearing made, can not now be determined. The first settlers were representatives of the class already frequently mentioned as squatters. Thomas Saulsbury and Maj. Selser were typical representatives of this class. They were both well-known in early days, and even by the surviving generation are not entirely forgotten. Thomas Saulsbury was a "pretty wild chap"; he came in as a hunter, made no pretensions as a farmer, and remained rough and uncouth as long as he was in this locality. He accumulated no property, being desirous of satisfying only his daily wants, without thought of the morrow or the days which might come when he could neither hunt or work. He built a cabin, however, and cleared a few acres of land. When the game began to get scarce he grew restless and pushed on to other and better hunting grounds. Disposing of his improvements to Squire McDonald for a small amount, and gathering his family, his dogs, and the few necessary household goods together, he left the scenes of his oft-recounted exploits and was never heard of more. Maj. Selzer was of the same type. Joseph Caters, John Livingston, and John R. Kitchens were also known as followers of the game.

          It is impossible to name the pioneers in the priority of their coming. Among the earliest were James Martin and his two sons, Thomas and Charles, who came from South Carolina in a very early day, and afterward became well-known in all parts of the County. The elder Martin was a Regular Baptist preacher of the early backwoods style, uneducated; and yet with homely illustrations and powerful speech, backed by an upright life which all men admired, he was a power for good among the pioneers. Charles Martin was a progressive man, and a good farmer for those days. He was one of the first to build a horse-power mill in the Township, which served in a great degree to ameliorate the hardships of life in the woods. On the 8th of November, 1819, he was licensed to keep a tavern, the first in Armstrong Township. For many years his hospitable house was a favorite place with all who went that way. The rates fixed by the County commissioners as permissible to be charged by him, were as follows: Each diet, 37 1/2 cents; keeping horse, 50 cents; lodging, 12 1/2 cents; one-half pint of rum, brandy or wine, 50 cents; one-half pint of gin, peach, or apple brandy or bounce, 25 cents; one-half pint of whiskey, 12 1/2 cents. John Armstrong, Sr., for whom the Township was named, was another of the early settlers. He had been a sailor, and came with some ready money, unlike most of the early settlers, and entered considerable land. It seemed strange that one, so much of whose life had been spent on the ocean, should at last settle in the wilds of the interior where he could not even hear the dashing of the waves upon the coast. He was a veritable "salt," full of stories, and never happier than when surrounded by attentive listeners. The monotonous life of the forecastle had prepared him for the monotony of pioneer life in the woods. Here he found a people glad to hear his constant talk about the sea. They had not heard his stories a thousand times, as had his shipmates no doubt. In the lonely cabins of the pioneers writh the great backlog filling every recess with its illuminating glory he was wont to become an attractive figure to all, from the boy whose life was just budding into hope, to the old man whose source of greatest joy was retrospection. Mr. Armstrong was industrious and pushing, though not particularly prominent. He was respected by all and died when about ninety years of age, in the Township bearing his name.

          Immediately following the occupation of Armstrong Township by civilized men few were more prominent than David Brumfield. Far above the average in intelligence, he was recommended to the governor for appointment as justice of the peace, by the first court held in Warrick County in 1813, and afterward when Vanderburgh County was organized, he was chosen by the electors as one of the first County commissioners. He maintained an honorable prominence throughout his entire career. The early elections were held at the house of Zadok McNew, which stood in section 32, Township 4 south, range 11 west, was a small double log house, one and one-half stories high, and remained well preserved for many years. Zadok McNew was an early settler, not particularly able or prominent, but at one time a justice of the peace. He became a well-known citizen and raised a respected and honorable family. One of his daughters was married in early times to James Patton, who secured a tolerably fair education and taught school in various parts of the County. Patrick Calvert was distinguished among the old-time folks as a shrewd trader. He came into the Township in 1816 and accumulated considerable property by trading in live-stock. He was well-known in all the County as the leading stock dealer in that section, and his judgment was considered remarkably good. He and his descendants have built for their family name an honorable place in the history of the Township.

          Judge John McCrary was selected by the voters at the first election held in the County, to occupy a place on the bench as associate judge. He was a man of sterling worth, and long occupied a prominent place in the annals of Armstrong Township. Among the earliest settlers was Moses Pruitt, who came to the Township prior to 1810. Simpson Ritchey was also well-known in this Township. At an early date he built a horse-mill. This, or the one built by Charles Martin, was the first in the Township. Settlers at first used the mortar for pulverizing corn, and afterward went to David Negley's mill, in Center Township, or to that of Joseph Wasson, in Gibson County. John Ferrell, Daniel and Joshua Rose, and many others whose names it is not possible to ascertain, were among the pioneers. Some of those who were not among the first, but who acted a conspicuous part in the early history of the County, were Gen. Elisha Harrison, also an early resident of Evansville, a man of great strength of character and personal worth, who occupied many positions of trust and honor; Squire Samuel McDonald, a Virginian, and a very promiment man, who for a quarter of a century held the office of justice of the peace; George W. Finch, a justice of the peace, and for four years a state senator; William Stewart, whose influence was ever for good, and many others. The lands in Armstrong Township were taken gradually by the sons of the pioneers who became of age, and by others who, leaving their homes in the older states, after weeks and months of endurance and trial found a spot near some spring or settlement of good neighbors which their fancies selected as a good place to locate. Very few foreigners found their way here until 1835. Over in the Townships east of Armstrong, many were settling from beyond the ocean, but the ties of nationality had great effect on those early comers. Each sought out those from his native state or clime as any stranger might hunt out a brother in going to a new country. The public lands were soon taken, and the entire Township became, almost as if by magic, a garden where it had been with few exceptions, wilderness, and soon, instead of the hunter's trail or the cartway from settlement to settlement, the best of roads were provided in all its parts. These industrious new-comers were principally from Germany, though many came from Pennsylvania and the older states of this country. As a class they are economical, industrious and good citizens, and to their efforts is due much of the prosperity of the present.

          Incidents. — One of the most stirring events of early times in Armstrong Township was the kidnapping of the Gothards. Isaac Gothard was a poor Englishman, who drifted into the Township and took his place in the community as a shiftless, easy-going, ambitionless fellow, with no particular mental or moral development. He had not been here long before his wife took the smallpox, and the entire neighborhood was alarmed for their safety. A mulatto was found who had passed safely through a siege of the disease, and he was impressed as a nurse for the sick woman. He was so attentive to her wants that he soon ingratiated himself into her affections. During the patient's convalescence their intimacy increased, but when she had recovered, Isaac, the husband, took his accustomed place in the household, and the .mulatto went his way. At length, however, in 1819, twins made their appearance in the Gothard household, and both were mulattos. Isaac made no complaints, and continued to live in peace and harmony with his faithless spouse. The children waxed strong as the years went by and began to be quite interesting to the community, when one day much to everybody's chagrin, they were kidnapped and carried to Diamond Island in the Ohio River, where Patrick Calvert, the Rogerses, Caters and others went to rescue them. While attempting the rescue, Mr. Calvert was struck on the head with a gun barrel by a desperado named Lynn, who was in league with the kidnappers, the blow causing a fearful cut which left a permanent, unsightly scar. Some time afterward Mr. Calvert was in Texas, when the scar attracted the attention of a ferryman to whom he related the story of the kidnapping. Somewhat excitedly the listener declared he had ferried the parties with the negro boys across the stream, and proceeded to give information which led to their discovery. They were brought back to Armstrong Township as free children, and were bound out to Mr. Calvert and grew to manhood on his place. They were industrious, intelligent men; one was considered a genius as a cabinet-maker. In after years they removed to Illinois.

          Churches. — Until 1876 there was not a church in Armstrong Township. It must not be inferred from this statement, however, that the people of the Township were not many of them pious, devoted worshipers of the Divine Father. In early times there was frequent preaching at the school-houses and at the cabins of the settlers. The Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Christians and other sects kept up the struggle for supremacy here as elsewhere. The Regular Baptists were the most prominent in the Township at first, but later gave way to the Cumberland Presbyterians. As the country became more thickly settled facilities for worship were supplied by churches built outside of the Township and yet near enough the borders to have a large portion of their membership within the Township. Cynthiana, in Posey County, has been the most frequented place by Armstrong Township people.

          A union church was built in the extreme northwest corner of the Township, in section 19, Township 4 south, range 11 west, in 1876, which is free to all Christian denominations, though used chiefly by the Cumberland Presbyterians and the Christian order. The community believing it had been without a church long enough, took the matter up and soon after determining to build, the edifice was erected. It was named by the trustees "Calvert Chapel" in honor of Mr. Leroy Calvert, much being due to his very munificent gifts in behalf of the building enterprise. The structure is a frame, 30x50 feet, nicely furnished, and cost about $1,600.00. Rev. J. B. Hadlock was the first to preach to the Cumberland Presbyterian organization now using Union Church. He was followed by Revs. N. P. Gill and H. D. Onyett, D. D. At the expiration of Dr. Onyett's ministry Mr. Hadlock was again called to the church. For the Christian order congregation Rev. Collins was the last minister in charge. His predecessor was Rev. D. M. Schumaker. A union Sabbath school with about thirty-five attendants, superintended by Mr. Leroy Calvert, meets every Sabbath in this church.

          In and about St.Wendell's, a village on the line between Vanderburgh and Posey Counties, reside a great number of Roman Catholics, whose house of worship is in Posey County. As early as 1841 a log church was erected there. Rev. Roman Weinzopfel regularly visited the church up to May, 1842. Rev. Conrad Schneiderjans became the first resident pastor in October, 1842. Afterward, in 1845 and 1846, Rev. Charles Opperman and Rev. Martin Stahle now and then visited the church and in April, 1846, Father Weinzopfel returned and accomplished much good by his labors, remaining until August, 1858. The old church soon became too small for the rapidly increasing congregation. April 17, 1853, Bishop de St. Palais laid the corner-stone for a handsome new edifice, and blessed the new church October 22, 1854, assisted by the pastor, Rev. E. J. Durbin, Rev. A. Deydier, Rev. J. B. Chasse, and the Rev. Benedictine Fathers, Bede O'Connor and Ulrich Christen. The edifice cost, exclusive of much labor and material contributed, $5,600. The congregation is in a flourishing condition. Its pastors have been: Revs. Paul Wagner, J. Kauffman, J. H. Deistel, J. B. Merl, Fr. M. Andres, C. Exel, N. Galweiler, Aloysius Daennhoffer, Joseph Schuck, John Stoltz and M. Heck.

          Towns. — Armstrong Township boasts of no important towns. St. Wendell's, partly in the Township and partly in the adjoining County of Posey, is the largest. It has a flouring mill, a store, blacksmith shop, and such other conveniences as are usually demanded by an agricultural neighborhood. Raben & Sons are the principal business men, conducting the mill and the leading store. Joseph Ammon is the proprietor of the only store in the town, which is in Armstrong Township. In the village are centered the religious and educational facilities for the Catholic church in this part of the County.

          Armstrong, a station on the P.D.&E. R.R., was brought into existence by the construction of the railroad. William Kneer is the postmaster, and proprietor of the only general store at this point. Probably as early as twenty years ago, near the present railway station, a little village called Armstrong Crossroads grew up. It is now wholly abandoned. It consisted of a post-office, a small store and a blacksmith shop.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 668-672