William Hamilton "W. H." Montgomery (1832-1905) Alternate

BISHOP, BJORNSON, MONTGOMERY, TAYLOR

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:45

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Saturday, October 14, 1905
Page 1, Column 3

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE.

W. H. Montgomery, of Goldfield, passes to the Greet Beyond.

The death of W. H. Montgomery occurred Wednesday, October 11, at noon and although it was generally known that he had been failing rapidly for some weeks past, the end came as a shock to his hundreds of friends in the town and surrounding country. The direct cause of his death was pneumonia, though for the past ten years he has been troubled with chronic complaints. His children, John and Mrs. Amanda Bjornson, were with him at the time of his death. He was aged 72 years 10 months and 11 days.

William Hamilton Montgomery was one of the earliest of the pioneers of Wright county, the time of his settlement being the 10th of September 1854. Mr. Montgomery, Minter Brassfield and William Stryker were the first three permanent settlers of the county, and but an interval of a few week existed between their coming. Mr. Montgomery is a native of Richmond county, Ohio, where he was born December 1st, 1832. His father was John Montgomery, a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Margaret Taylor was also a native of Pennsylvania. They were of Irish origin. His parents died while he was a young man, his father's death occurring in 1858, and his mother's in 1865.

Mr. Montgomery was reared a farmer and received his education in the common schools of his native county. He was married June 6, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Bishop, a daughter of John and Jane Bishop, of Iowa county, Iowa. Soon after their marriage Mr. Montgomery and his new bride came to this county and here all new. Buffaloes were then abundant. He and his wife have stood in their cabin door and counted hundreds of them as they passed. Elk was also abundant and so was all game incident to the country. Their nearest market and mill was at Cedar Falls, a distance of eighty miles or so; their nearest postoffice was Homer, at a distance of thirty miles. Much of the material used for clothing and the like was got from Iowa City. Still they were young and energetic and enjoyed the life, believing that the future promised well for this portion of Iowa. And their hopes have all been realized. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery was blessed by five children, two boys and three girls. Two of the children are now living, viz: Amanda, who was the first white child born in the county, was born March 29, 1855. She is now the wife of H. B. Bjornson, and resides in this township. John, with whom he has made his home for many years, is the other one. He was born in 1858. The announcement of Mr. Montgomery's death Wednesday was a cause of general regret throughout the county. -Goldfield Chronicle.

The funeral was held Friday and the remains were laid to rest along the side of those of his wife at Goldfield. A large number of the friends and neighbors attended the funeral and accompanied the remains to their last resting place.

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, October 19, 1905
Page 4, Columns 6 & 7

A Pioneer Gone.

W. H. Montgomery, Wright County's Oldest Settler, Succumbs.

Goldfield Chronicle: The death of W. H. Montgomery occurred Wednesday, October 11, at noon and although it was generally known that he had been failing rapidly for some weeks past, the end came as a shock to his hundreds of friends in the town and surrounding country. The direct cause of his death was pneumonia, though for the past ten years he has been troubled with chronic complaints.

He had located in various climates but everything that hand could do was unavailing. His children, John, and Mrs. Amanda Bjornson, were with him at the time of his death. A sister, the only other near relative, whose home is in Ohio, was unable to be present. He was aged 72 years, 10 months and 11 days.

William Hamilton Montgomery was one of the earliest of the pioneers of Wright county, the time of his settlement being the 10th of September, 1854. Mr. Montgomery; Minter Brassfield and William Stryker were the first three permanent settlers of the county and but an interval of a few weeks existed between their coming. Mr. Montgomery is a native of Richmond county, Ohio, where he was born December 1st, 1832. His father was John Montgomery, a native ot Pennsylvania, and his mother, Margaret Taylor, was also a native of Pennsylvania. They were of Irish origin. His parents died while he was a young man, his father's death occurring in 1858, and his mother's in 1865. The deceased was one of seven children, all of whom grew to man and womanhood.

Mr. Montgomery was reared a farmer and received his education in the common schools of his native county. He was married June 6, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Bishop, a daughter of John and Jane Bishop of Iowa county, Iowa. She was one of seventeen children, fourteen of whom lived to man and womanhood. Soon after their marriage Mr. Montgomery and his new bride came to this county and here all was new. Buffaloes were then abundant. He and his wife have stood in their cabin door and counted hundreds of them as they passed. Elk was also abundant and so was all game incident to the country. Their nearest market and mill was at Cedar Falls, a distance of eighty miles or so; their, nearest postoffice was Homer, a distance of thirty miles. Much of the material used for clothing and the like was got from Iowa City. Still they were young and energetic and enjoyed the life, believing that the future promised well for this portion of Iowa. And their hopes have all been realized. The married life of Mr and Mrs. Montgomery was blessed by five children, two boys and three girls. Two of the children are now living, viz: Amanda, who was the first white child born in the county, was born March 29, 1855. She is now the wife of H. B. Bjornson and resides in this township. John, with whom he has made his home for many years, is the other one. He was born in 1858. The announcement of Mr. Montgomery's death Wednesday was a cause of general regret throughout the county. His early settlement here and his generous heart gave him a wide acquaintance and his friends in this section of the state are legion. He was very patient in his last days of constant suffering and he was very careful to be as little burden as possible to the relatives and friends who watched at his bedside. Although closely attentive to his home affairs he was also a public spirited citizen. No friend asked a favor of him but what he did all in his power to grant it. We could fill pages with such tributes, but all things must have an end, and we turn with reverend sympathy to the bereaved relatives and sorrowing friends.

The funeral service was held at the home at 10:30 o'clock this (Friday) forenoon, Rev. Hoelscher, of the M. E. church, had charge. Interment was in Glenwood cemetery and he was buried by the side of his wife, who seven years ago preceded him to the Great Beyond. Peace to his ashes.

December 1, 1832 – October 11, 1905