DELIA M. (MONTGOMERY) OWEN

Delia M. (Montgomery) Owen gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. 1825 in New York
D. October 5, 1856 in Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: John Montgomery born May 29, 1793; John died December 25, 1862 in Lake County, IL; buried in Grayslake Cemetery, Grayslake, Lake County, IL

According to the Illinois, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1722-1999 (Probate Place: Lake, Illinois; Inferred Death Date: 1863; Case Number: 633, Estate of John Montgomery, Administrator’s Bond approved January 19, 1863, Book A, Page 74)

“Your petitioners further represent unto your Honor that the said John Montgomery deceased at his death left Betsey E. Montgomery his widow and the following named heirs at law to wit. Charles A. Montgomery (one of your petitioners) Moses Y. Montgomery, Helen E. Ryburn who is the lawful wife of John Ryburn, Charlotte A. Montgomery who are his Surviving Children, and Merryline Montgomery, the child of Bradford Montgomery who died prior to the date of the death of the said John Montgomery, and Hillman Owen, Montgomery Owen and Bradford Owen, Children of Delia M. Owen who died prior to the death of the said John Montgomery deceased, that the said Bradford Montgomery and Delia M. Owen were the Children of the said John Montgomery deceased.”

  • Mother: Betsey E. Montgomery born April 17, 1797 in New York; Betsey died August 15, 1880 in McHenry County, IL; buried in Grayslake Cemetery, Grayslake, Lake County, IL

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Wednesday, August 18, 1880, page 5:

“MRS. JOHN MONTGOMERY, and (sic) old lady aged 83, died at the residence of George Curtis, in this village, on Sunday morning last, of heart disease. She was a grandmother of Mrs. Curtis, and came to Lake county from Ohio in 1856, twenty-four years ago, and is consequently one of the old settlers. Her funeral was held on Monday.”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, August 21, 1880, page 3:

“BETSY MONTGOMERY.

Those who have been charmed in days gone by, with the sweet singing of the Montgomery family, locally much celebrated as vocalists, will be interested to know that Mrs. Montgomery, the mother of the singing family has lived to bury most of her children and on Sunday last, in McHenry county, at the age of 83 she herself departed this life. She was laid to rest at Gray’s Lake cemetery on Monday last beside the grav es (sic) of her husband and those of her children who preceded her.”

According to the Inter Ocean (Chicago IL) Sunday, July 22, 1883, page 9:

“A few days since Mr. Clayton Owen, of Warren Township, died after a ten days’ illness, at the age of 62. He was a prominent farmer and an excellent citizen.”

According to the Waukegan News-Sun (Waukegan IL) Wednesday, May 16, 1900, page 2:

“OLD RESIDENT DIES.
——–
Mrs. Clayton Owen of Gurnee,
Aged 72 years.
——–

   The death of Mrs. Clayton Owen occurred Tuesday morning at two o’clock at the home of her daughter Mrs. Ellsworth Metcalf, just north of Gurnee.
   Funeral from the home Thursday afternoon.
   Deceased was 72 years of age and one of the Lake County’s early settlers. Her name was formerly Waite and Levi and George Waite both well known residents of the county are her brothers.
   Besides Mrs. Metcalf, Mrs. Owen leaves two sons, Bradford and Hillman.”

  • Children:
  1. Hillman Owen born about 1847 in Ohio; married Sarah M McKenna on Dec 13, 1877 in Lake County, IL; Hillman died October 21, 1889; buried in Reece Cemetery, Reece, Greenwood Co, KS
  2. Helen A. Montgomery born about 1847 in Ohio ; Helen died possibly before 1860
  3. Montgomery N. Owen born April 18, 1850 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co, OH; married Martha H Owen (1852-1882) on March 28, 1878 in Iowa City, Johnson County, IA, daughter of Henry M. Owen (1817-1891) and Ruth (Stratton) Owen (1817-1892); Montgomery died May 31, 1940 in Reece, Greenwood Co KS; buried in Reece Cemetery, Reece, Greenwood Co KS; Martha is buried in Lone Tree Cemetery, Lone Tree, Johnson County, IA

According to a newspaper clipping posted on FindAGrave.com website for Memorial ID 27213860 by contributor “pipp43”:

“M. N. Owen
   Montgomery N. Owen, second son of Clayton and Adelia Owen, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 18, 1850, and passed away at his home in Reece, Kansas, May 31, 1940, at the age of ninety years, one month and thirteen days.
   He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, a daughter, Mrs. H. E. Carr, and husband of West Liberty, Iowa, one son, Claude B. Owen, wife, Lela, and two daughters, Betty Jean, and Virginia, of Woods Cross, Utah; and also on sister, Mrs. E. M. Metcalf, and husband, of Arlington, Virginia, and several nephews and nieces, besides a host of friends.
   Mr. Owen lived in this community for many years and the life he lived and his influence will ever stand as a monument to his memory. His loyalty to the community and church ever will be an example to those who must carry on.
   He was a conservative adviser, and an elder in the church he loved so well and to which he gave faithful and loving service so many years. His presence will be sadly missed.
   The last months of his life were spent in patient suffering, attended by the tender care of his loving wife and his many friends who did all they could for one they held in such high esteem.
   Much more might be written of this beloved one, but it would not be in keeping with his wishes. His life has been lived, his work accomplished and the memory of him will be cherished as a treasured benediction to those who knew him best and we know he has heard the plaudit, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord.”
   Funeral service was held from the Christian Church in Reece on Tuesday afternoon, June 4, conducted by Rev. L. T. Faulders, of Eldorado. Interment in the Reece cemetery.”

4. Bradford D. Owen born July 15, 1855 in Hainesville, Avon Township, Lake County, IL; married Elsie E Ogston (1859-1914); Bradford died April 1930; Bradford and Elsie are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Bancroft, Kossuth Co IA

According to the Waukegan New-Sun (Waukegan IL) Tuesday, April 15, 1930, page 1:

“BODY FOUND
AFTER LONG
SEARCHING
——–
Believe Bradford Owen, 75,
Either Fell Into River Or
Committed Suicide at St.
Paul, Minnesota.
——–

   The body of Bradford Owen, 75, who disappeared from the home of his daughter in St. Paul, was found yesterday in the Mississippi river near St. Paul according to word telephoned to relatives of the aged man in Waukegan and Gurnee today. Mr. Owen was born and raised near Gurnee and was widely known here.
   Still suffering from injuries sustained in a fall last winter, Mr. Owen had been feeling badly for several weeks, but on March 31st he had helped his daughter, Mrs. Froehle, about the home an shortly after luncheon, had decided to take a walk to the downtown section of St. Paul. He was never heard from after that until his body was found yesterday, lodged under some bushes near the St. Paul shore of the river.

Nation-wide Search.

   When the aged man did not return home that afternoon, his daughter and son-in-law started an intensive search and a description of Mr. Owen was broadcast throughout the nation. His half sister, Mrs. Elsworth Metcalf of Gurnee and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Eugene E. Smith of 29 South Butrick street were also notified in the hope that he had made his way back to this district where he had lived all the early years of his life. When a month passed with no word of her father, Mrs. Froehle and her son left St. Paul to drive to Waukegan, and before they arrived here, the body was found in the river. her husband notified her in Waukegan this morning. 
   The body will be removed to Bancroft, Ia, where Mrs. Owen was buried, and funeral services will be held there tomorrow.
   Relatives of the aged man are unable to determine whether Mr. Owen, as he was walking along the river, became dizzy and fell in, or, despondent over his ill health and mourning for his wife, leaped into the water.
   Mr. Owen was born on a farm near Gurnee and lived here until he attained middle age when he moved with his family to Bancroft, Iowa. While in Iowa, Mrs. Owen died and while the family remained there until the children were all married, Mr. Owen broke up his home and went to St. Paul to live after his daughter, Mrs. Froehle married and went to Minnesota city to live.”

According to the Globe-Gazette (Mason City IA) Thursday, April 17, 1930, page 32:

“OWEN FUNERAL
RITES ARE HELD
Body of Bancroft Man is
Found in Mississippi
at St. Paul.

   BANCROFT, April 17. – Funeral services for Bradford Owen were held at the Baptist church Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock, the Rev. C. E. Bryden having charge of the services.
   Mr. Owen, during the past two years lived with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Froehle, in St. Paul. On the morning of March 13 he told his daughter he was going down town for a while, and as this was his usual custom no concern was felt until evening when he had not returned. Every available means was used but he could not be located, and for the past month the family worked on various clews (sic) without success.
   His daughter left St. Paul for Illinois Monday to consult relatives, and on her arrival met with the news that the long search was ended. The body was found floating in the Mississippi river near St. Paul by Joseph Kowski. It was recovered and taken to the morgue where it was identified.
   He was born at Hainesville, Ill., on July 15, 1855. When a young man he left Illinois for Kansas where for several years he helped settle and develop government grazing land. in 1881 he returned to Illinois where he was married to Elsie Ogston. Four years later, with his wife and baby daughter, he came to Swan Lake. Here they lived for several years. Mr. Owen carrying a government mail route from Swan Lake to Bancroft. in 1891 the family moved to Bancroft where he remained until two years ago.
   He leaves his daughter, Mrs. H. B. Froehle and grandson, Owen Froehle of St. Paul; a sister, Mrs. Ellsworth Metcalf of Gurnee, Ill.; a brother, M. N. Owen of Reece, Kans.”

  • Children of Clayton Owen and Geraldine Wait Owen:
    • Carrie Owen born about 1864 in Illinois
  • Siblings:
    • Bradford Montgomery born September 9, 1821 in New York; married Frances Conant (1827-1850) on March 21, 1845 in Summit County, OH, daughter of Andrew Conant (1798-1854) and Elizabeth (Green) Conant (1798-1877); Bradford died October 7, 1850 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA; buried in Yerba Buena Cemetery, San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA
    • Helen E. Montgomery born March 6, 1923 in New York; married (1) John Ryburn (1820-?) on December 19, 1845 in Cuyahoga County, OH; married (2) William Curtis Howard (1817-1911) on October 22, 1863 in McHenry County, IL; Helen died on October 19, 1890 in Lake County, IL; Helen and William are buried in Grant Cemetery, Ingleside, Lake County, IL

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, August 8, 1863, page 1:

“CIRCUIT COURT CHANCERY NOTICE Circuit Court of Lake county, September Term 1863 in Chancery. Helen E. Ryburn vs John Ryburn – Bill for Divorce. Satisfactory affidavit having been filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County setting forth that John Ryburn the defendant herein, is not a resident of the State of Illinois. Notice is therefore hereby given to the said John Ryburn that Helen E. Ryburn the complainant therein, filed her bill of complaint in said court, on the Chancery side thereof. on the 17th day of July 1863, and that a summons thereupon issued out of said Court against the above name defendant, returnable on the Fourth Monday of September 1863, as is by law required. Now unless you, the said John Ryburn shall personally be and appear before the said Court, on the first day of the next term thereof, and then and there plead answer or demur to said bill of complaint, the same and the matters and things therein charged and stated, will be taken as confessed, and decree entered against you in accordance with the prayer of said bill.”

    • Hunt Montgomery born October 7, 1829 in New York; Hunt died June 27, 1869 in Fremont, Lake County, IL; buried in Grayslake Cemetery, Grayslake, Lake County, IL
    • Emma S. Montgomery born October 8, 1831 in Ohio; Emma died September 22, 1832 in Ohio
    • Moses Gleason Montgomery born November 7, 1835 in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, OH; married Sarah Maria Sloggett (1843-1906) on April 22, 1864 in Boone County, IL; Moses died on September 20, 1910 in Motley, Morrison County, MN; buried in Hilldale Cemetery, Custer County, NE

According to the Custer County Republican (Broken Bow, NE) Thursday, September 29, 1910, page 1:

“Funeral of M. G. Montgomery.

   The funeral of M. G. Montgomery, an old resident of Custer county who died in Motely, Minnesota, on September 21st, took place Sunday afternoon at Hillside, 10 miles north of here, where the body of his wife lies. Rev. A. T. Norwood, of the Baptist church, preached the funeral sermon before a concourse of friends and relatives that filled the house to overflowing. The remains were taken in charge by L. E. Cole upon their arrival on No. 43 Sunday morning, and placed in his undertaking parlors, where they were viewed by a large number of people during the forenoon.
   Mr. Montgomery was born in Bedford, Ohio, Nov. 7th, 1853. At an early age his parents moved to Illinois, taking him with them. He was married to Sarah M. Sloggett in 1864. 7 children being born of the union, five dieing in infancy. A son and daughter, C. A. Montgomery and Mrs. Austin Loyd, survive him. He was not only a kindly man possessing a host of friends, but a staunch patriot as well, having served under John Brown and Jim Lane in Kansas during her struggle for freedom and giving four years and five months of active service to his country during the civil war. He was preceeded to his resting place by his wife, who passed away Dec. 20th, 1906. Mr. Montgomery was a christian gentleman and always had a kindly feeling for those whom he came in contact with. He was a member of the United Brethern church and belonged to the local post G. A. R. A large number of friends and relatives will hold his memory sacred.”

    • Charlotte Montgomery born January 21, 1839 in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, OH; Charlotte died November 22, 1974 in Lake County, IL; buried in Grayslake Cemetery, Grayslake, Lake County, IL

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, November 28, 1874, page 3:

“DIED.

In the town of Grant, on November 22d, 1874, of heart disease, Miss CHARLOTTE MONTGOMERY. 
   Another sweet singer has joined the heavenly choir.”

    • Charles Augustus Montgomery born January 21, 1839 in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, OH; Charles died September 6, 1869 in Kentucky

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, November 15, 1862, page 2:

“FROM THE 96TH REGIMENT.
——–

At the request of many of our subscribers, we republish the roll of the Companies from this county, belonging to the 9th Regiment. It is as follows:

COMPANY ORGANIZATION.

Company D – Captain, A. Z. Blodgett; first Lieutenant, C. A. Montgomery; second Lieutenant, Walter Hastings”

    • Henry B. Montgomery born May 15, 1844 in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, OH

Additional Information:

According to the 1850 U.S. Census for Redford Township, Cuyahoga county, OH the household members were:

“Nathan (sic) Owen, age 27, Occupation; Farmer; born in New York; Delia Owen, age 25, born in New York; Hilman Owen, age 4, born in Ohio; Helen A Owen, age 3, born in Ohio; Montgomery Owen, age 3/12, born in Ohio”

(NOTE: After the death of Delia, Clayton was remarried and the children are recorded in this census)
According to the 1860 U.S. Census for the Town Avon, Lake County, IL with a Fox Lake Post Office, the household members were:

“Clayton Owen, age 39, Occupation: Farmer, born in Ohio; Gereldine Owen, age 33, born in New York; Hillman Owen, age 14, born in Ohio; Montgomery Owen, age 9, born in Ohio; Bradford Owen, age 7, born in Indiana (sic Illinois)”

According to the Illinois, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999 (Lake County, IL Probate Case Files, Box No. 18, Files 1828-1873, 1883):

“When as Clayton Owen late of Lake County in the State of Illinois died intestate at said County of Lake on or about the 11th day of July A.D. 1883 leaving him surviving Hillman Owen, Montgomery Owen, Bradford Owen and Carrie A. Owen his only children and his heirs at law and his only heirs at law and his only distribution of his personal estate saw his widow Geraldine Owen whom he left him surviving. 
   And when as the said Geraldine Owen is the duly appointed and active administratrix of the Estate of the said Clayton Owen deceased by virtue of letters of administration to her granted and issued out of the County Court of Lake county within and for the County of Lake and State of Illinois.
   And when as the distribution share of the personal estate belonging to the Estate of the said Clayton Owen after the payment of the expenses of administration and all the claims against said Estate belonging to each of said heirs is the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, as nearly as the same can be determined.
   And when as the said Bradford Owen has sold transferred and assigned his said distribution share of said personal estate after such payment of said expenses and claims to the said Montgomery Owen who thereby became owner of two of such distribution shares.
   And when as the said Geraldine Owen administratrix of said Estate of the said Clayton Owen deceased has paid to the said Hillman Owen the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars in full of his said distribution share of said personal estate which was by him the said Hillman Owen accepted in full satisfaction thereof and has also paid to the said Montgomery Owen the sum of Three hundred dollars in full satisfaction for his own said distribution share of said personal property and Estate and in full satisfaction for the said distribution share so as aforesaid owned by him as the assignee of the said Bradford Owen which said sum of three hundred dollars was by him the said Montgomery Owen accepted in full satisfaction of said two shares of said personal estate.”