BIOGRAPHY: Dr. T. L. ARMITAGE, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 133-4
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DR. T. L. ARMITAGE, a graduate of the Royal university of Ireland, and a 
successful practitioner of medicine, at Lilly, this county, is a son of Thomas 
and Agnes (Shaw) Armitage, and was born in Northern Ireland, November 22, 1860. 
Thomas Armitage, grandfather of the subject of this memoir, was a native of 
Yorkshire, England.
     Thomas Armitage, father, was born in Manchester, England, March 25, 1834, 
where he received his early education. When but a young man, he went to Ireland 
with his uncle, Thos. Firth, who was the first locomotive engineer of Ireland, 
and under whose direction Thomas Armitage followed railroading. He arose from 
one position of trust to another until he became superintendent of motive power 
of the Waterford and Limerick railway, and occupied this position until 1880, 
when he resigned. In 1883 he emigrated to America, locating in London, Canada, 
where he became foreman of a round house. He died October 31, 1891. His marriage 
with Agnes Shaw, who still survives him, resulted in the birth of twelve 
children, all of whom are living but one son, who died in infancy. 
     T. L. Armitage's early life was spent in Ireland; his elementary education 
was obtained in the Dundalk Grammar school and from private tutors. In 1876, 
when but sixteen years old, he entered Dublin university, of Ireland, from which 
renowned institution he graduated after a three years' course of study. On 
leaving the university he joined the medical staff of the British army and 
remained on the staff seven years, during which period he served in the 
memorable Egyptian campaign, and for active service rendered was awarded the 
Egyptian medal, and the Khedive of Egypt's Bronze Star, which is an emblem of 
faithful, effective service. 
     In 1891 he retired from the service and emigrated to America, where he 
first located in Michigan and practiced his profession two years. He then 
removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took a special course in the Medico-
Chirurgical college, of that city, where in six months he received a degree, and 
took twefth [sic] place in a competitive examination in a class of two hundred 
and fifty-two candidates for an appointment in Blockley hospital. In May Dr. 
Armitage removed to Lilly, this county, where he has since practiced his 
profession. He always keeps up to the high-water mark of his profession, and, 
while he has filled his mind with the best thoughts of the college and leading 
physicians of the age as a preparation, yet has preserved and developed his own 
individuality, and has thought and worked and grown into a careful, safe and 
progressive physician. His practice already extends along the Pennsylvania 
railroad from Altoona to Pittsburg, and he enjoys the confidence and respect of 
a large and increasing patronage. 
     In politics he supports the principles of the Democratic party, and takes 
an active interest in all local issues. Dr. Armitage is interested in whatever 
pertains to the advancement of his profession, and is a member of the Cambria 
County Medical society, and of the Pennsylvania State Medical association, both 
of which organizations are in the interest of progress in medical science. 
     While in England, Dr. Armitage was united in marriage with Miss Caroline 
Annie Hole, on March 22, 1888. She is a daughter of Jonas Hole, is a true 
Englishwoman and was born within the sound of the Bow Bells of Westminster, 
London. Their happy marriage has been blessed in the birth of the following 
children: Anna, Hazel and Thomas Leger Firth.