Friday, June 18, 2021

CFH First Draft: Francis Caleb Montgomery (1850-1925)

 This post is part of an ongoing series, sharing the first draft of my Revised Callin Family History

Francis Caleb Montgomery is the 69th person in a descendant report beginning with the earliest known ancestor of our Callin family, (1.) James Callin. This descendant report uses the Register Style of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society. 

Please use the Contact Form (at right) to send questions or corrections.

Fifth Generation

69. Francis Caleb "Frank" Montgomery (Theodore-4, Elizabeth Callen-3, James "2nd"-2, James "1st"-1) was born on 14 Oct 1850 , and joined his parents on their journey to the California gold fields as a small boy. After his father returned and purchased his farm near Rochester, Frank grew up on that farm and became a farmer, himself.

Frank Montgomery and Elizabeth “Bessie” Ellis were married on 16 Mar 1876 in her parents' home in Fulton County, Indiana. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Ellis (1820–1875) and Letta King (1826–1900) , born on 30 Nov 1857 on a farm near Leiters Ford, Fulton County, and grew up in Aubbeenaubbee, Fulton County.

The couple settled in Newcastle Township where they raised their four children. They resided there until 1920 when they retired to Rochester. Frank died on 15 July 1925 at the age of 74 and was buried in the Rochester I.O.O.F. Cemetery. His obituary ran in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 16 Jul 1925.

“Francis C. Montgomery, well known retired farmer who had resided in Fulton county all his life with the exception of two years in infancy spent in California, died at 9:30 o'clock Wednesday evening at his home 918 South Madison street of concussion of the brain, resulting from a fall down a stairway on June 24.

“Pending arrival of the son, John, from Rupert, Idaho, funeral arrangements have not been made yet.

Francis Montgomery was the son of Theodore and Margaret Wilson Montgomery, and was born in Rochester, Oct. 14, 1850. The family went overland to California in 1852 and returned to this county in 1854. On Mar 16, 1876, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ellis, at the Ellis homestead near Leiters Ford. He later lived for 44 years in Newcastle township and came to Rochester to reside nearly five years ago. Mr. Montgomery was for 18 years treasurer of the Mutual Insurance company, and for several years president of the county Horsethief Association. Surviving the husband are the widow; the son, John; three daughters, Mrs. Charles Emmons of Rochester, Mrs. Marion Clark of Ashley, Ind., and Miss Belle at home, and four grandchildren, Kathryn and John Frank and Dorothy and Robert Clark”.


Bessie remained in Rochester, and died there on 28 Oct 1937 at the age of 79. She was buried with her husband in Rochester I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Her obituary was published in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 28 Oct 1937.

“Mrs. Francis C. Montgomery passed away at her home 918 South Madison Street at 9:00 Thursday morning, following an illness of several months duration.  The deceased's condition, however, had not been regarded as extremely critical prior to early in September from which time she had been confined to her bed.  Mrs. Montgomerly was one of the highly respected and well-known residents of this community and had been a resident of Fulton County throughout her entire life.  She had a wide acquaintance of friends throughout this community.  Elizabeth (Ellis), daughter of John and Letitia (King) Ellis, was born on a farm near Leiters Ford, Ind., on November 30, 1857.  On Mar 16th, 1876 she was united in marriage to Frances Caleb Montgomery, the ceremony being pronounced at the home of her parents by Rev. Lord.  The Montgomerys then settled in Newcastle Township where they resided until 1920 when they moved to Rochester where Mr. Montgomery was employed in the insurance business.  Her husband passed away several years ago.  The deceased became a member of the Rochester Presbyterian Church on Mar 14th 1875 and up until the time of her demise, she had the honor of holding the longest membership in that religious organization.  The survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Charles Emmons and Belle Montgomery, of this city; and Mrs. Frances Clark, of Ashley, Ind.; a son John Montgomery, of Salt Lake City, Utah; three grandchildren, Mrs. Frances Duffin, of Wakefield, Mich.; John Francis Montgomery, of Moscow, Idaho and Miss Dorothy Clark, of Indianapolis; a great-granddaughter, Patricia Ruth Duffin; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Ditmire, of this city and Mrs. Clara Cook, of Culver, Ind.  The funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday from the Montgomery home with Rev. James MacElree pastor of the First Prebyterian Church officiating.”


Francis Caleb "Frank" Montgomery and Elizabeth Ellis had the following children:


241 i. John Theodore Montgomery, born 26 Feb 1878, Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana; married Colleen Urmston, 1898, Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana; married Hattie Ida Wilson, 3 July 1935; died 9 Jan 1950, Stilwell, Adair County, Oklahoma.

ii. Belle Ethel Montgomery was born on 12 Jan 1880 in Newcastle township, Fulton County, and she lived with her parents until they died. She was a treasurer of the Farmers and Mutual Insurance Co. and served for two terms as deputy Fulton county treasurer. She had been ill for one year when she was admitted to the Woodlawn hospital on 25 April. She died at 12:45 a.m. Friday, 5 May 1961 and was buried in Rochester I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

242 iii. Maud Letta Montgomery, born 11 Dec 1881, Fulton County, Indiana; married Charles E Emmons, 22 Apr 1911, Newcastle Township, Fulton County, Indiana; died 20 Jan 1971, Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana.

243 iv. Frances M Montgomery, born 13 July 1886, Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana; married Marion B Clark, 14 Nov 1913, Fulton County, Indiana; died 7 Feb 1970, Auburn, De Kalb County, Indiana.


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