Mr. Armbruster was born in New York City on the 17th of October, 1856. At a very early age he removed with his parents to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he received a good education in Turner's school. When twenty years old the family moved to Jersey City, locating in the old Fourth Assembly District, and there he secured employment as a shipping clerk for Lewis Pattberg & Brothers, novelty manufacturers, with whom he remained eighteen years. In 1884 he removed to the Town of Union and in 1892 engaged in the mantel business, and so continued under the style of the Excelsior Mantel Company until 1898, when he sold out in order to devote his time wholly to official duties. He became one of the successful business men in North Hudson County, and through his industry, integrity, and enterprise built up a large trade.

In politics Mr. Armbruster has always been a stanch Republican, fearless in espousing the best principles of his party, and earnest in his convictions as well as enthusiastic in his efforts. During the past twenty years he has served much of the time as a member of the Hudson County Repub- lican Committee. He was Overseer of the Poor of the Town of Union for two years (1885 and 1886), and a Councilman in 1894, 1895, and 1896, serving as Chairman of the Committee on Streets and Sewers during his full term. In 1896 he was elected to the New Jersey Legislature from the Town of Union by a handsome majority. During the session of 1897 he carefully watched over the interests of his section of Hudson County, introduced several important measures that promised to advance the general welfare, and strenuously opposed others that, in his opinion, would have a contrary effect if passed. In brief, he introduced and secured the enact- ment of no less than eleven bills affecting North Hudson County. One of these was the Martin Act. He also introduced a racetrack bill, which was defeated, although it contained much-needed reforms.

Mr. Armbruster has always taken a prominent part in town and county affairs, has frequently been a delegate to local, district, and State Republican conventions, and has for many years wielded a potent influence in all public matters. He is esteemed and respected, and has gained the confidence of all with whom he has come into contact. The various positions which he has filled with so much honor and credit attest his popularity. Or. July 7, 1898, he was commissioned Postmaster of Weehawken, and is now discharging, with ability and satisfaction, the duties of that office. He is an active member of Mystic Tic Lodge, No. 123, F. and A. M.; of Cyrus Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M.; of Summit Lodge, No. 182, I. O. O. F., of Jersey City; of Palisade Lodge, No. 129, h. of P.; of West Shore Council, No. 1097, R. A.; of Garfield Council, No. 56, Jr. O. U. A. M.; of Wahwequa Tribe, No. 188, 1. O. R. M.; of Hoboken Lodge, No. 74, B. P. O. E.; of Columbia Hose Company, No. 2, Town of Union; and of the Hamilton Wheelmen, the North Hudson Wheelmen, and the League of American Wheelmen.