Ten of Swea City’s Young Men Fight In Invasion Area
Swea City: [excerpt]
Montgomerys Have Three
Mr. and Mrs. James Montgomery are experiencing many anxious hours. They have three sons in England. Cpl. Edward Montgomery has been in the British Isles for about two years. He met and married his wife there. His brother, 1st Lt. Harry Montgomery, landed in England only a short time ago. His wife is the former Beulah Gladstone of Lone Rock. 18-year-old Floyd Montgomery is with the Merchant Marine and recently wrote his parents that he expected to be in England for some time to come.
Source: The Algona Upper Des Moines, Tuesday, June 20, 1944
Swea City Soldier Visits Brother’s Grave in Normandy
Swea City: Cpl. Edward Montgomery who is with the medical corps with the army in France, has visited the grave of his brother, Lt. Harry Montgomery, killed in action July 13, in France. In the letter written to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Montgomery, Aug. 22, Edward says:
“The day after I wrote to you the last time, I found out where Harry was buried and I was able to visit his grave and take some pictures but I do not know when I will be able to send them as it is impossible to get the films developed here so far. They also will have to be passed by the censor before I can send them to you.
“The officers have been very kind to me, giving me all the help I could possibly ask for. The Major let me take a jeep and told me I could go anywhere to find out how Harry was killed. That is how I was able to find the grave.”
Source: The Algona Upper Des Moines, Tuesday, September 12, 1944
WWII Bonus Case file:
James Edward Montgomery
WWII – Medical Corp
Home Res: Swea City, Kossuth County IA
Army Enlistment date: 30 Apr 1941
Army Release date: 23 Jun 1945
Source: ancestry.com
Rural Dolliver Man Dies;
Services Set Thursday
James Edward Montgomery, 55, rural Dolliver, died Monday morning, Jan. 21, en route to Fairmont Hospital. He had been under treatment for injuries sustained in a fall down an elevator shaft on his farm about a week ago.
Mr. Montgomery, known as Edward, had fallen down a shaft in a silo on his farm Jan. 12, and was taken to Fairmont Community Hospital, then to Mankato (MN), where he was given treatment for broken legs. He had returned home, where he became ill suddenly Monday and was taken by ambulance to Fairmont Community Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Swea City, with the Rev. Norton McCaughan officiating. Interment will be in Palestine Cemetery. Friends may call at Reese-Henry Funeral Home, Estherville, after 10 a.m. Wednesday, and until 11 a.m. Thursday when the casket will be taken to the church in Swea City.
Mr. Montgomery was born Aug. 23, 1918, to Mr. and Mrs. James H. Montgomery and educated in Swea City schools, graduating in 1936. He was married to Vivian Herum on Sept. 12, 1948, in Palestine Lutheran Church, rural Dolliver. They farmed in Kossuth County until 10 years ago when they moved to a farm in Emmet County.
He was a member of Palestine Lutheran Church, a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Amerian Legion Post, Swea City.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian, rural Dolliver; one son, Dennis Montgomery, Dolliver; four daughters, Jan, Julie and Patricia, all at home, and Mrs. Michael (Joanne) Eide, Ames; two grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Bina Montgomery, Swea City; four brothers, Floyd and Keith Montgomery, Grinnell, Allan Montgomery, Swea City, and Merlin Montgomery, Wheaton, Ill.; two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Letcher, Alexandria, S.D., and Lucille Montgomery, Wheaton, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother.
Source: Estherville Daily News, Tuesday, January 22, 1974
James Edward Montgomery was born Aug. 23, 1918 to James Harley and Bina Adelia Walker Montgomery. He died Jan. 21, 1974 and is buried in Palestine Cemetery, Dolliver, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
