Billings, Montgomery Fisher 1843-1903

BILLINGS, CHAPMAN, BUCK

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/12/2013 at 20:07:08

C.S. Billings received a telegram Sunday morning announcing the death of his father at McGregor, and with his wife left on the afternoon train for that place. Mr. Billings was well known in Spencer, having made this town as a salesman for a long time. He was interested in the drug store with his son and had rented a house with the intention of moving here soon. He was about 66 years old and had been a resident of McGregor for thirty-five years.

~Spencer Reporter, June 24, 1903

Montgomery Fisher Billings
M.F. Billings, father of our townsman, C.S. Billings, and one of the best known traveling men in this section, died at his home in McGregor Sunday, June 21st. The following obituary appeared in the McGregor News of June 24th:

The deceased was born in Cazepovia, New York, August 9, 1843. His parents removed to Madison, Wisconsin, where in 1861 he enlisted in Company I, the Eleventh Infantry and served during the war. After the war he came to McGregor and entered the employment of M.T. Kennedy.

He was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Chapman of McGregor, June 18, 1868. They moved to Fayette and in 1873 they came back and he entered the employment of Peterson & Ramage where he continued until 1896 when he changed to Olney & McDaid of Clinton. He has been on the road as traveling salesman for over thirty years, was one of the best known men on the road in northeastern Iowa. He was a man that made friends wherever he went.

Services were held at Mrs. O.C. Buck's where many of his old time friends and neighbors gathered to pay their last respects to one who was honored and respected by all that knew him. Rev. D.C. Dutton officiated. He was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon in Oakland cemetery*. Thus a kind father has passed away. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Augusta M. Billings, two sons, Roy E. and Chas. S. Billings.

As the river of time remorselessly bears us on to eternity, we have close and constant reminders that life's day is rapidly passing and that the shadows of change and death are ever coming nearer.

~Spencer Reporter, July 1, 1903

*Oakland cemetery in McGregor is now known as Pleasant Grove