MONTGOMERY, Agnette (Nelson) 1846-1921

MONTGOMERY, NELSON, PALMER, FERGUSON

Posted By: Jym Montgomery (email)
Date: 5/11/2012 at 20:43:42

Monona Leader- June 16, 1921

MRS. JOHN (Agnette) MONTGOMERY

The Monona vicinity was thrown into sorrow when the report was spread last Saturday evening that Mother Agnette Montgomery’s journey of life on this earth had to suddenly come to an end. To many of us her departure may seem like a bad accident. It would be better to call it a tryst. “It is the strange truth of life", says Stopford Brooke, “that unknowingly we are continually hovering close to our destiny". We spend our lives in keeping appointments. We move through life guided by a force that we can not explain. Browning said: "I see my way as birds their trackles way” I shall arrive! What time, with circuit first, I ask not; but unless God send his hail or blinding fireballs, sleet, nor stifling snow, in some time. His good time, I shall arrive; He guides me and the bird. In His good time!

Some people call this guiding force instinct. But what is instinct? You do not explain a thing, or lessen its mystery by giving it a name. It is better, by far, to call it God and be done with it. Thus we spend our lives in keeping tryst of which we ourselves are unaware until we look back in retrospect. We follow blindly only feeling that there is this guiding hand. The friendships and associations of Mother Montgomery all answer to this same wonderful law. By what stroke of fortune she left Norway and settled in our vicinity, this and not other; by what strange impulse she was impelled to start the fire she did last Saturday night and thus cause so sudden an interruption of her course in life is hard to explain. We will call it in keeping the tryst. And surely it is the fond conviction that, in the heaven that awaits us, we have a tryst to keep that lends sweetness and stateliness to many of our most prosaic and commonplace experiences.

Agnette Nelson Montgomery was born in Hedemarken, Norway, July 6, 1846, and died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Montgomery, of this city June 11, 1921, in the 74th years of her age.

She came to America at the age of about 20 years, making her home for a time with one of her cousins at Farmersburg, Iowa. From Farmersburg, she went to Luana where she was in employment for a number of years.

She was united in marriage to John Montgomery on January 14, 1875. To this union three sons and two daughters were born: Charles and Frank of Monona, George of Marquette; Mrs. John Palmer of Alden, Iowa and Mrs. Ray Ferguson of Monona. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery started housekeeping in Luana. From Luana the family came to Monona. Her husband preceded Mother Montgomery in death about seventeen years. This past year, on account of ill health, Mother Montgomery had her home with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Montgomery, where everything was done to make life homelike and comfortable for her. She also very much appreciated a visit from her daughter Mrs. Palmer for several weeks last spring, who cared for her in her former home.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church in St. Olaf. At Monona she attended the Methodist Church until her hearing failed her. The Bible was a very precious book to her. She loved to walk beside the still waters of this wonderful guide book and drink at the fountain of its truth. In this book she found anchorage of heart when the difficulties of life swept down upon her. She cultivated a friendly and congenial spirit. For her home, and her church and neighbors she planned, prayed and labored. Thus she leaves a legacy far richer than silver and gold. Charles, Frank and George Montgomery, Mrs. John Palmer and Mrs. Ray Ferguson and one brother in Norway, as well as 13 grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.

“Gods choir fills the hearts that bleed;
The best fruit loads the broken bough;
And in the wounds our suffering plough;
Immoral love sows sovereign seed”

The Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Monday June 13, conducted by the Pastor J.B. Ackman and interment was made at the city cemetery.

THANKS
We desire to express our sincere thanks for the many beautiful floral offerings and the kindness shown us in our recent bereavement in the loss of our dear mother. We also wish to thank the choir for the beautiful selections rendered.
The CHILDREN

___________________

Added by Reid R. Johnson on 2/9/2018:

Elkader Register, Thur., 23 June 1921. Marquette column.

Mrs. Montgomery of Monona was fatally burned Saturday evening when her dress caught fire from a bonfire she was tending in the rear of her home. By the time aid reached her she was so badly burned that she lived but two hours. Much sympathy is extended to her son, George Montgomery, of this city in the sudden passing of his aged mother.

Mr. and Mrs. George Montgomery and children went to Monona Saturday, summoned by the death of Mr. Montgomery's mother.

___________________

Back of photo: "Great grandmother Agnette, died in a fire!"

Submitted by Jym Montgomery

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen