“A brief telegram received this morning by John Cooley from D. C. Huffman, surgeon of the Dayton Soldiers’ Home, announced the death of Mr. William Montgomery, formerly of this city. The announcement was received with genuine regret by the many persons in the city who were interested in the welfare of the deceased, for, with all his faults, when he was himself there was no kinder, cleverer, more generous-hearted man in the country than William Montgomery. He was a man of splendid parts, and but for his unfortunate habits would have been one of the leading men of the city. He was his own worst enemy, but now that he is dead and gone his faults be buried with him.”
“William Montgomery was the son of Robert Montgomery, a well-known dry goods merchant in the earlier days of the city, and was born in this city about sixty years ago. Mr. Montgomery early entered his father’s store, and in time became known as the best dry goods clerk in this section of the country and could invariably succeed in making a sale where others failed. Among other places, he was employed at Wm. Elden & Co.’s, Charles Elden’s and for a number of years was with a Louisville house.”
“When the war broke out, Mr. Montgomery enlisted in Co. G, 1st Ohio, for three months’ service, and saw service at the battles of Bull Run and Vienna. He did not re-enlist. He has been in the Soldiers’ Home for quite a number of years.”1
“The deceased has several relatives here, among others being Mrs. John Cooley2, wife of the Market street saddler, who is his sister; Miss Maria Montgomery, an aunt, residing on Washington street, and a single sister3. The telegram stated that the remains would be buried Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock.”
“Mr. Montgomery was in the city a week or 10 days ago, calling on his friends. While he was talking to one of them, Water Works Clerk, Thomas Hall, he remarked that he wasn’t going to live long, and that when he was dead he wanted to be buried in the cemetery here alongside his brothers George and Joe.”
“The remains of William Montgomery were brought to this city on the B. & O. S. W. Wednesday and taken direct from the train to the cemetery for burial. A few of his old time friends and his relatives in the city met the remains, and all that was mortal of William Montgomery was laid away. May he rest in peace.” 4
Record of Military Service of William R. Montgomery5
Record of Headstone Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans6
William Montgomery’s Government-Issue Grave Marker at Greenlawn Cemetery
- This statement has proven to be inaccurate as records exist that document William Montgomery’s service with Battery L, 1st Ohio Light Artillery
- Mary R. Montgomery Cooley
- Florence Adell Montgomery Davis
- Death of Wm. Montgomery. (January 27, 1897). Portsmouth Times, p. 4.
- “Dayton City, Greene, Ohio, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GP8J-WR7?view=explore : May 12, 2025), image 782 of 799; United States. National Archives and Records Administration.
Image Group Number: 004832582 - “United States, Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TD-VT55?cc=1913388&wc=MXM9-T68%3A195533201 : 22 May 2014), McGaffe, Sam’l – Morford, William > image 744 of 855; citing NARA microfilm publication M1845 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
