Silas Armstrong
American Wyandot merchant (1810–1865)
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Silas Armstrong (January 3, 1810 — December 14, 1865) was an American Wyandot merchant and politician. As a leader of the Wyandots, he had a major role in founding part of Kansas City, Kansas after the Wyandot were removed to Kansas from Ohio.
Silas Armstrong | |
|---|---|
Daguerreotype of Armstrong, c. 1850 | |
| Head Chief of Wyandotte Nation | |
| In office 1858 – December 14, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew Mudeater |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 3, 1810 Near Upper Sandusky, Ohio, US |
| Died | December 14, 1865 (aged 55) |
| Resting place | Huron Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas, US |
| Children | 13 |
Biography
Armstrong was born on January 3, 1810, near Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and was raised in a Bear Clan community. In 1832, he married Sarah Preston. His family's farm, known as the "Armstrong Bottom", was run by Armstrong.[1]
In 1843, Armstrong and his family moved to the Town of Kansas. There, Armstrong began trading in a rented building in modern-day Westport. He worked as a merchant, sawmill operator, land speculator, and farmer, later forming a partnership with Hiram Northup.[2] He also worked as an interpreter for Nathan Scarritt.[3] He was president of the Wyandott Town Company. The town of Armstrong, Kansas was named after him; it later merged with Kansas City, Kansas.[4]
Armstrong served as Head Chief of the Wyandot Nation from 1858,[5] until he fell ill and died in office[6][7] on December 14, 1865.[8] Over 1000 people attended his funeral at Huron Cemetery.[1]