I understand from Wikipedia that Charles Taze Russell started publishing Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence in 1879 and it drew attention to Russell's belief that people of that were living in the last days.
My great-great-grandfather could have read the magazine.
After we left the Witnesses someone I know came up with another idea of when Armageddon would occur, this irritated me. I've had enough of thinking about the tribulation, Armageddon, and certain dates and time periods.
However I still believe in Christ and have hope and i think of what Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 1 verses 21 and 23. 'For in my case to live is Christ, and to die gain...
I am under pressure from these two things, but what I do desire is the releasing and the being with Christ for this, to be sure is far better' (NWT)
I don't think it really makes any difference if the Tribulation or Armageddon comes or not. In some ways I don't think it will. 2000 years and nothing and history has a way of repeating itself.