Armstrong, Arthur E. (Arthur Edward), 1884-1976.

Hillsdale, Michigan, Singer Sewing Machine Company representative in central China, 1911-1917; wife, Elsa F. Armstrong of Northfield, Minnesota, Evangelical Lutheran missionary in China, 1911-1917.

From the description of Arthur E. Armstrong papers, 1911-1926. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34418464

Arthur E. Armstrong was born in Frontier in Hillsdale County, Michigan. He graduated from Hillsdale College in 1910, then in 1911, he went to China with Underwood & Underwood Stereoptican Views. While in Hankow, he transferred over to the Singer Sewing Machine Company. It was while in China that he met his wife Elsa Bianca Felland. Elsa Felland was born in Northfield, Minnesota on March 15, 1890. She went to China in 1912 as a teacher-missionary under the auspices of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. She and Arthur Armstrong were married June 30, 1915. The Armstrongs remained in China until 1917 when they returned to the United States.

The Armstrong collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and other materials largely relating to the period of their stay in China. Included is the correspondence Elsa Felland exchanged with her parents, and letters exchanged between Elsa Felland and Arthur Armstrong before their marriage and in periods of separation after their marriage. These letters are useful for their discussions of missionary life and for insight into Arthur Armstrong's work with an American company in China. During part of their stay in China, Elsa Felland and Arthur Armstrong were witnesses to the 1911-1912 revolution in China.

From the guide to the Arthur E. Armstrong papers, 1911-1938, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)