Samuel Frank Montgomery was my great-grand-uncle. His older brother, Charles William Montgomery, was my great-grandfather and has been mentioned here a number of times. Samuel appears as “Franklin,” age 7, in the 1870 census in Denver Township, Illinois, with parents John and Belinda, and siblings Hattie, Charles, Thomas, Harry, and Edward. In 1880, Samuel F., age 18, is listed with “works on farm” as his occupation.
By 1900 Samuel is married to Ida Goodell and appears in Blue Ridge Township, Piatt County, Illinois, as “Frank,” with a birthdate of September 1863. Other members of the household are: wife Ida M., born December 1869; daughter Florence, born August 1889; daughter Ruth, born August 1891; daughter Nellie, born April 1895; and daughter “Dortha,” born July 1898. Ida’s census record indicates she had given birth to a total of 5 children, of whom 4 were still living by 1900.
This photo shows Samuel, Ida, and one of their children:
Still in Blue Ridge by 1910, Samuel F. is listed as age 48 and a rural mail carrier. Ida M., age 40; Nellie B., age 17; “Dorotha” L., age 11; and John S. complete the family. By 1920 in Blue Ridge Township, Nellie has left home, leaving a household of four. Samuel is now listed as working at a livery. Ida passed away in 1929, and I have yet to locate Samuel in the 1930 or 1940 censuses. He did not die himself until 1959, age 96. Samuel and Ida are buried in the Blue Ridge Township Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield, Illinois.
