George Armour (1812 - 1881)

Born 24 Apr 1812 in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Barbara (Allison) Amour — married 29 Aug 1850 in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Died 13 Jun 1881 at age 69 in Brighten, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Joelle Colville-Hanson [send private message]

Biography

George Armour migrated from Scotland to the United States.

George Armour is Notable.

George Armour was a Scottish American businessman and philanthropist known for his contributions to the global distribution process for commodities.

George was born in 1812 in Campbeltown, Scotland. He was the son of Archibald Armour and Ann Greenlees. ^[1]

In 1831 he and his brother John, and cousin James, traveled to North Illinois. They were hoping to go into the timber business and established a claim along what is now Winnebago and Boone County. They thought there could be an easier way to make a living.

On a return trip to Scotland, seeing the difficult circumstances of farmers in Kintyre, they told others of the good land available in Northern Illinois.

They returned to Ottawa. In 1836, when they got word that their uncle John Greenlee had lost his farm, they provided the means for him and his family to come to the United States. John and his family stayed in the cabin on the Armour claim. It was the beginning of the Scottish Settlement in Argyle, Illinois.

In 1840 their sister Ann and brother Robert came over. Ann lived with them in Ottawa. Robert settled in Boone County. By 1850 their mother had also joined them. ^[2]

George married Barbara Allison in 1850. ^[3]

George later moved to Chicago where he was successful in a number of building projects. He is credited with transforming the global distribution process for commodities. He developed the modern grain elevator system. ^{[4][5] [6]}

George became president of the Chicago Board of Trade. He founded the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CBQ), Commercial Club of Chicago , YMCA of Chicago, and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts which later became the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Art Institute of Chicago.

He lost his home in the Chicago Fire of 1871.

George passed away in 1881 while on voyage in Sussex, England. ^[7]

Children

1. John William 1851-1865
2. George Allison 1852–1853
3. George Allison 1856–1936
4. William 1858–1888
5. Allison Vincent 1863–1941
6. Mary (Whitehouse) 1868–1958

1850 US Census

Ottawa, Illinois

• John Amour Male 39 Scotland
• Ann Amour Female 63 Scotland
• George Amour Male 37 Scotland
• Ann Amour Female 28 Scotland

1860 US Census

Waukegan, Illinois

• George Armour 42 Scotland
• Barbara Armour 31 Scotland
• John W Armour 9 Illinois
• George Armour 4 Illinois
• William Armour 1 Illinois
• Conrad Setner 67 Saxony
• Rosina Setner 49 Saxony

1880 US Census

Chicago, Illinois

GEORGE ARMOUR

Event Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States

Occupation: Grain Elevator

• George N Armour Self 68 Scotland
• Barbria Armour Wife 52 Scotland
• George A Armour Son 24 Illinois, United States
• William Armour Son 22 Illinois, United States
• Vinsence Allison Son 16 Illinois, United States
• Mary G Allison Daughter 11 Illinois, United States
• Berthia Allison Daughter-in-law 20 Illinois, United States
• Mrs Williams Other 29 Ireland
• Cassia Waley Other 20 Illinois, United States

Sources

1. ↑ Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XY8Y-9LR : 10 February 2018), George Armour, 24 Apr 1812; citing , reference , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,041,005.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8R9-Z2Y : 12 April 2016), George Annons in household of John Annons, Ottawa, La Salle, Illinois, United States; citing family 101, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
3. ↑ Ancestry Record 60984 #739742 Original data: Illinois State Marriage Records. Online index. Illinois State Public Record Offices.

   Name: George Armour

   Gender: Male

   Marriage Date: 29 Aug 1850

   Marriage Place: Cook, Illinois, USA

   Spouse Name: Barbara Allison

   Spouse Gender: Female

4. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXH6-G9D : 13 December 2017), George Armour, 1860.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M64K-CCK : Tue Oct 03 09:12:10 UTC 2023), Entry for George Armour and Barbara Armour, 1870.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXNF-5K5 : 15 September 2017), George N Armour, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district ED 14, sheet 367C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0185; FHL microfilm 1,254,185
7. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2J89-46V : 31 December 2014), George Armour, 1881; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Brighton, Sussex, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.

See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #112151470: accessed 9 February 2019), memorial page for George Armour (Apr 1812–13 Jun 1881), citing Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained sby Saratoga (contributor 46965279) .
• Wikipedia:George Armour