Howard E. Armstrong

Armstrong was born in Bennington, Vermont on April 19, 1903,[1][2] the son of Marcus P. Armstrong (1864-1928) and Alice J. Cordes (1868-1953).[2] He graduated from Bennington High School in 1922, and attended the University of Vermont from 1922 to 1923.[1] He decided on a legal career, and studied law with Harry Chase of Bennington, and in the Ludlow office of William W. Stickney and John G. Sargent.[1] Armstrong was admitted to the bar in 1926.[1]

A Republican, Armstrong served as second assistant clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives in 1925, and was the House Clerk from 1927 to 1933.[3] He was Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (chief assistant) to Governor Charles Manley Smith in 1935.[3] Armstrong served as the state Commissioner of Industries from 1936 to 1939, and Commissioner of Industrial Relations from 1939 to 1949.[3]

In 1948, Armstrong was the successful Republican nominee for Secretary of State.[3] He was reelected seven times, and served from January 1949 to January 1965.[3] Armstrong was defeated by Harry H. Cooley during the Democratic landslide of 1964, which was the first time a Democrat had ever won the Secretary of State's office.[3][4]

In 1968, Republican Richard C. Thomas won the Secretary of State's position.[5] He employed former Secretaries Armstrong and Helen E. Burbank on a consulting basis at the start of his eight-year tenure.[5]

In retirement, Armstrong resided in Montpelier.[6] He died at his home on October 7, 1983;[6] he was being treated for cancer, and his death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.[7] He was buried at Plymouth Notch Cemetery in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.[6]

In 1929, Armstrong married Margaret Ellen Brown (1907-1996).[6][8] They were the parents of a son, Cordes V. Armstrong, (1935-2000).[6]