[presumably written by Leah Amanda (Mandy) Armstrong)

Glenda Kleppin, May 1998

Rolla Armstrong was born at Vermillion, South Dakota, September 11, 1871. Mrs. Armstrong was born in McDonough County, Illinois in 1876. They were married at Northboro, Iowa (December 26, 1894).

Coming to Steele in 1899 in March from Northboro, Iowa, they lived that first year on the Beecher Allen farm in Allen Township.  Following that they spent three years just across the line in Burleigh County. They moved into Steele in 1903 and bought the house from Sam White in Block 42, which was their home until they sold it to Harry Sherman in 1946.

Rolla Armstrong operated a Dray Line at Steele and was Deputy Sheriff under Jim Filbin about 1912 and later. He served as night watchman at Steele in later years. His familiar figure was often seen meeting the night busses and seeing travelers safely home.

After selling their home here, they moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where their youngest daughter Leah E. Kleppin resides. Their other daughter Esther (Mrs. Steve Kidd) lives in Mandan, North Dakota.

As settlers of early days, they knew the trials and tribulations endured by those of that day and were instrumental in aiding in better things for the community. Mandy recalls many amusing incident of those
early days, she tells of arriving by train in Steele at three a.m. in March of 1899 and being met at the train by the proprietors of the two hotels (as was the custom those days). Each proprietor carried a kerosene lantern to see his way about the unlighted city. Henry Mayer, from the "Stickney Hotel" (now the Woodlawn Hotel) and Mr. Thomas, the proprietor of the "City Hotel" (located where Art Yanken's Drug Store now stands). Mr. Thomas won out and Manda and baby Esther were soon with Rolla in the City Hotel. 

Rolla passed away at Rapid City, South Dakota on November 19, 1952.