The Dr. Rev. Chester Solon Armstrong was the second of six children and the oldest son born to Chester Armstrong and Eunice Smith, formerly of Shoreham, VT. Chester was a man of strong Christians convictions and held in high estime by those who knew him. The following are two written exerpts that have survived through the years; the first is extracted from the History of Ingham County and the second is his obituary published in Jackson county. The following is from a chapter in the aforementioned history that deals with the origins of various churches established in the the city of Lansing, MI. Under that portion that discusses the First Presbyterian Church in Lansing appear the following excerpts:

History of Ingham County

In June, 1856, the Rev. Chester S. Armstrong, a graduate of Union Theological Seminary, New York, but not an ordained minister, with whom some of the members had become acquainted, was invited to officiated for the society, and began his work on the first Sabbath in July following. His ministry proving satisfactory, a formal call was extended him to become the regular pastor in September, after a regular meeting of the church and congregation, and the society resolved that henceforth they world be self-supporting. Up to this time it had been a mission church, and as such had received from $150 to $200 per annum from the American Home Missionary Society. The town had once more begun to build up, and among the new-comers were several of wealth and influence who aided this church. Mr. Armstrong was duly ordained a minister by the Presbytery of Marshall, and installed pastor of the Lansing church on the 6th of November, 1856. He continued from that time until September, 1856, to discharge acceptable the duties of pastor, and during his term of service there were 120 additions to the membership, of whom 110 were by profession. During the same time sixty-two were dismissed to other churches, two were excommunicated, five were suspended, and fourteen died. Mr. Armstrong finally resigned to accept the position of of chaplain in the 4th Michigan Cavalry Regiment.

A Sabbath-school had been organized at the beginning of Mr. Atterbury's labors, but having fallen off somewhat, a determined effort was made during Mr. Armstrong's ministration, under the lead of Joseph Mills, since deceased, and the school was placed upon an improved standing; large additions were made to the membership, and much interest was manifested in its prosperity.

Later in this same narrative, the personage of C. S. Armstrong reappears:

The work of erecting a house of worship was pushed vigorously under the supervision of Mr. Bryant, and the building was completed in October, 1965, about two months after the resignation of the pastor. In the mean time, Rev. C. S. Armstrong had resigned his chaplaincy in the army and returned to Lansing. Upon the resignation of Mr. Bryant, Mr. Armstrong's services were procured as stated supply, and he commenced his labors about the 1st of September, 1865.

The new edifice was dedicated on the 3d of October, in the last-mentioned year, with appropriate ceremonies. Mr. Armstrong continued to perform the duties of pastor until the month of April, 1869, when he resigned to accept a call from Alton, Ill.

The following is a narrative written about the circumstances surrounding Rev. Armstrong's final illness:

Jackson Citizen, Nov. 13, 1890

The residents of Jackson were greatly surprised and pained last evening to learn of the sudden death, at Battle Creek, of Rev. Dr. C. S. Armstrong, pastor of the Presbyterian church of this city. The first (illegible) in a telegram to E. A. Hough. A few moments later D. S. Fleming was called up by telephone and informed of the death. The news was conveyed to his stricken wife in the easiest possible manner by Mrs. A. W. Stitt, with whom the DR. and wife were boarding, AT 222 West Wesley street. Other members of the church were notified and W. N. Eaton and Wm. Miller departed for Battle Creek to bring home the remains, which reached this city this morning. They were also accompanied by Rev. H. S. Jordan, pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Lansing. From the latter gentleman The Citizen learned the particulars of Mr. Armstrong's sudden demise. Mr. Jordan said in brief: Dr. Armstrong and myself were holding special missionary services at Battle Creek. The doctor spoke well and powerfully at the afternoon meeting. While we were on our way to the church for the evening service, Mr. Armstrong complained of being unable to breathe.
After a moment his difficulty was apparently overcome and we walked arm in arm to the church. As we entered the vestibule he again complained of the same trouble and I assisted him to a seat and leaving him in charge of some ladies who were just entering I went for a physician. Returning I found Dr. Roaraback at his side and administering a remedy. The Rev. Dr. revived somewhat and urged me to open the meeting. A third attack came on shortly afterwards and the physician ordered him taken to his boarding place. A carriage was procured and we placed him in it. Dr. Roaraback and myself accompanying him. While on the way Mr. Armstrong revived and evidently realizing his condition fervently commended his wife and family to god. He then sank down and was to all intents dead before we reached the house, although he gasped once or twice after being taken in. Not knowing any of the members of his church here I telegraphed the news to E. A. Hough and afterwards learning of Mr. Fleming called him up by
telephone.

Dr. Armstrong was born at Parishville, New York, sixty-four years ago, and came to Jackson County at an early age, residing in Springport. Obtaining a common school education, He spent one year as teacher in the Jackson High School, and then went to the University at Ann Arbor where he graduated in 1852. Returning to Jackson he secured the position of superintendent of the high school, which he held one year. Among his pupils at the time were Dr. C. H. Lewis, Mrs. Lucy Lewis, Mrs. Benj. Newkirk, and others residing in the city.

From 1854 to 1857 he attended the Union Theological Seminary in New York. In the later year, he removed to Lansing where he was ordained to the ministry and became pastor of the First Presbyterian church where he remained eight years. In 1864 he resigned to accept the position of chaplain in the fourth Michigan Cavalry. Returning to Lansing after the war (Sept. 1865), he served five years as the pastor of the Franklin Street Presbyterian church. He then went to Alton, Ill. where he served for eleven years, and then became synodical missionary for the state of Illinois, a position he held eight years. He came to Jackson three years ago as the pastor of the church here, since which time he has (illegible) work in the lord's Vineyard.

The doctor has never fully recovered from an attack of the (la grippe?) last spring and has at various times complained of difficulty in breathing. When he left the city he appeared to be in grand good health. His death is believed to have resulted from heart disease.

He leaves a widow and six children. Mrs. Nichols and Emily Armstrong of Trinidad, Colorado; Mrs. Dr. Kennedy of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania; Harriett and Mary Armstrong of Philadelphia; and James Armstrong, Rochester, NY.