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Married:
According to one account, Robert and Frances were married at her parents' home by the Rev. John Crozier, of the Olney Presbyterian church.
The following account was published in the Holt County Sentinel, of Oregon, Missouri, on Friday, 19 November 1915.
Their Golden Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery
Celebrate Their Fiftieth
Wedding Anniversary
That marriage is not a failure is demonstrated beyond the least shadow of a doubt on such occasions as that of Sunday last, November 14, when Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery, of this city, were accorded a most pleasant surprise on the 50th anniversary of their wedding at the home of their son, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram W. Montgomery; their only child.
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of a wedding event is of more than ordinary occasion, and few couples live to celebrate such an event.
The life of these two people has been beautifully blended, and have lived such a long series of years together in such Christian harmony, that it may well be said that such marriages are ordained by the Master. Their lives together in our midst for the past 44 years has been an inspiration for all that was good, pure, and ideal in life. With the exception of six years, their entire married life has been spent among us, and they surely enjoy the esteem and love of all our people. They have gone hand in hand and heart with heart; the ups and down of life together so beautifully, and they doubtless have had them. In the religious, literary, and social circles they have been conspicuous figures, and have done their part toward the keeping of our city and community morally clean. Mrs. Montgomery in her younger days was an active and conspicuous member of the Women's Union, of this city.
Their joint services to the Master's cause has been of many years standing of the Presbyterian church and Sunday school, and they have never wavered in fulfilling their every obligation that would advance the cause of this church and Christianity.
No doubt as the day approached, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery talked over the days of their courtship fifty years before the cabaret, the musical comedies; of the mighty little use of the divorce court, and of the few hasty marriages - marriages then lasted until death do them part. The courtship days of fifty years ago included the straw ride; the huskin' bee; the spelling school; apple pairin' [sic]; school house debate; Sunday buggy or sleigh riding.
The coming together of the immediate relatives at the home of their only child was a fitting occasion in honor of the many years of prosperous and blessed union that has been the privilege of these two to enjoy and be happy in the reminiscences of the past, and pleasures of the present.
Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Montgomery conceived the idea of having Father and Mother Montgomery with them on the occasion of their half century of wedded life, and so notified them. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery consequently went to the home of their son, Hi, on the Saturday evening previous, so they would be sure to be on hand to enjoy the occasion, and along with them went Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Dungan, and of course, we presume the aged couple supposed these two together with the son and family would constitute the guests, but when the wedding day arrived, there arrived also to celebrate with them, Mrs. Ed. Fiegenbaum, of Geneva, Nebraska; Mrs. Henry Fiegenbaum, of Springfield, Nebraska; his brother, Hugh Montgomery and wife, of Mound City; their niece, Mrs. Will McRoberts and husband, of Mound City; Mont. Austin and family, of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Neil Hoblitzell, of Skidmore.
Every detail looking to the completeness of arrangements for this happy and unusual event was carefully planned and carried out by the son and wife, and with the help of most pleasing environments the whole affair was one that will ever linger a green spot on the mind's tablet.
An elegant wedding feast was served, and around the table no doubt sat as happy a group of people as ever assembled in any one home at any one time.
As to what constituted the menu, matters not; but one may be assured it consisted of all the many good things that the bride and groom of 50 years enjoy, carefully studied out, cooked and baked by the hostess and served in a most appetizing way.
Every detail looking to the happy event was most extraordinary success - successful in detail; in execution; in finis, and Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have reason to be proud of the successful affair and its perfect surprise as to the coming of the guests.
While the presents were numerous, the most conspicuous perhaps was a gold-headed cane, from that "boy" of his and his dear wife.
At the principal table, at which were seated Father and Mother Montgomery, was a miniature roadway reaching from end to end, and along this road were marked the various wedding anniversaries. the home was elaborate in decorations, and liberality shown in the use of the chrysanthemums.
Their two grandchildren, Miss Frances and Niel [sic], were necessarily absent by reason of being away to school.
Biographical
Robert Montgomery's parents were Irish, and Robert insists that he is Irish, too. He was born in Bangor, Ireland, August 9, 1837, and is therefore well on his journey to his 79th milepost, and most remarkably well preserved. At the age of 17 he turned his back to the Emerald Isle, crossed the ocean, landing in New York, January 13, 1854. He went to Jackson, Ohio, where he made his home with an uncle and where he attended school, and clerked in a wholesale store, and also clerked for the Latrobe Iron Furnace Company, and in 1860 went to Greenup county, Kentucky, where he remained a year and then returned to Ohio, and entered the employ of the Keystone Furnace Company.
In 1861 he returned to Kentucky and assisted in recruiting a company for the Union army at Greenup, and was chosen 2d Lieutenant of Company C, 22d Kentucky Infantry. He was afterwards promoted to Aid-de-Camp on the staff of General Geo. W. Morgan. He resigned this position and was named as the sutler of the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery.
He participated in the battle of Pond Gap under General Garfield; at the taking of Cumberland Gap, under General Morgan; Yazoo Bluffs under Sherman and the capture of Arkansas Post.
On being mustered out of service in 1864, he returned to Ohio, and entered the servive [sic] of the Berkley Iron Works.
While a resident of Jackson, Ohio, he met Miss Frances White, love, courtship, and this marriage was the result of a golden wedding anniversary Sunday last.
The bride of fifty years ago was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram W. White, and was born in Londonderry, Ross county, Ohio, March 28, 1841. When a babe of five months her parents located in Jackson, Jackson county, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood, attended the schools of that city and then entered and graduated from the Western Female College, of Oxford, Ohio. At the close of the war, the White family moved to Olney, Illinois.
It was in Olney, Illinois, at the home of the bride's parents, in the presence of a few of the more intimate friends, on November 14, 1865, that Robert Montgomery and Miss Frances White plighted their faith until death do them part, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. John Crozier, of the Olney Presbyterian church.
To them was born one son, Hiram W., who was born in Oregon, educated in our schools here, and is now cashier of the Farmers' Bank, of Skidmore, Missouri, of which his father is the president. The son is one of Nodaway county's highly honored and respected citizens, who has inherited much of his father's business acumen. They have four children, two of whom - a son and daughter, are students in the Northwestern College at Evanston, Illinois. As far as known, there is not a single survivor of that wedding excepting the bride and groom.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were also foster parents to three nieces, whom they educated and developed into splendid and most beautiful womanhood, and they are now married, situated happily - these are Mrs. Ed. Fiegenbaum, of Geneva, Nebraska; Mrs. Henry Fiegenbaum, of Springfield, Nebraska, and Mrs. Harry M. Dungan, of Oregon.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery went to Jackson, Ohio, for their wedding tour of a few weeks, and then returned to Olney, Illinois, where they remained, and where Mr. Montgomery filled various positions, before and after a tour through parts of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, and a visit here with Dr. Asher Goslin, whom he met at Olney, while the Doctor was a resident at Olney.
In 1871, Dr. Goslin wrote Mr. Montgomery that James Scott, of this city, desired to dispose of his banking interest, and as Mr. M. had had some experience in that line as an accountant in the First National Bank of Olney, he came here at once, and took over the Scott interest. This was the beginning point in the long and successful business career of Mr. Montgomery, the firm being the Montgomery Banking Company, the company being a Mr. Phillips, of Olney, Illinois.
In January, 1872, the bank firm began as Zook & Montgomery, which continued to 1875; then Montgomery & Norman. In 1877 it became Montgomery & Roecker. In 1890 Levi Zook and his son, Charles D., became interested in the bank, and in 1895 C. D. Zook took over his father's interest and also took over Mr. Montgomery's stock, who retired from business.
Thus closed Mr. Montgomery's active business career of 24 years - a career no man need be ashamed.
During 1903 Mr. Montgomery and his son organized the Farmers' Bank, of Skidmore, Missouri, the former being its president, and the son, H. W. Montgomery, its cashier. It has enjoyed a good business since its organization.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery live a quiet, beautiful life in the old VonLunen home, one of the old historic residences of our city.
From early life, this couple has been prominently identified with the Presbyterian church and Sunday school, and for 44 years they have been earnest, steadfast helpers in this old historic church. Mr. M. was for 30 years its Sunday school superintendent, and for several years past has been the teacher of the men's Bible class. For thirty years Mrs. M. had charge of the women's Bible class.
Mr. Montgomery has been a member of our city council, and during the year 1903 was our mayor, having been elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry Shutts.
He is a member of the Oregon lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also a chapter member of the order.
Mr. Montgomery has only two brothers living: David, of Dayton, Ohio, and Hugh, of Mound City.
Mrs. Montgomery has only one brother living: Wallace White, of Yankton, South Dakota.
Many beautiful tokens of love and esteem came to Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery from relative and friends.
Census (family):
- According to the 1870 U.S. enumeration, the household consisted of Robert Montgomery, a 33 year old clerk, born in Ireland, Francis Montgomery, age 29 and keeping house, born in Ohio and Hiram W. Montgomery, age 2, born in Ohio.
- According to the 1880 U.S. enumeration, the household consisted of Robert Montgomery, a 42 year old banker, his wife, Francie Montgomery, age 38 and keeping house, their son, Hiram Montgomery, age 12, and Robert's nephew, Montgomery Austin, age 16, a bank clerk.
The enumeration recorded that Montgomery Austin was born in Ohio, as was his father; his mother was born in Ireland. It is possible that he was the son of Robert's sister, but this has not been confirmed.
- According to the 1900 U.S. enumeration, the household in the East ward consisted of Robert Montgomery, a 62 year old "Capitalist," his wife, Frances Montgomery, age 59, and three nieces: Nellie Montgomery (age 24), a music teacher; Maud Montgomery (age 21), a school teacher; and Grace (age 17), in school.
- According to the 1910 U.S. enumeration, the household in the East ward consisted of Robert Montgomery, a 71 year old bank president and his wife, Frances S. Montgomery, age 69. They had been married for 44 years and had one child.
- According to the 1920 U.S. enumeration, the household on Main Street, in the East ward, consisted of Robert Montgomery, age 82, and his wife Frances S. Montgomery, age 78.
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