Charles William Montgomery was the second born child and first born Son of Thomas Benton Montgomery and Mary Elizabeth "Lizzy" West Montgomery.

Charles William Montgomery was likely named Charles for his Paternal 2nd Great Grandfather, Charles Francis Montgomery, Great Grandfather, Charles Fox Montgomery, and for his Father's Brother, Judge Charles William Montgomery.

Sadly, our Montgomery family history book lists his death, as a result of being struck by lightning.

His nickname, per an excerpt of the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, shown below, is listed as "Charley".

1880 U.S. Federal Census:

Household Members
Household Members
Name Age
Thomas Montgomery 24
Mary E. Montgomery 21
Charley Montgomery 1
Nancy A. Montgomery 5/12

When I initially added his name to my Ancestry Tree, his date of death was then stated as 22 Mar 1896. On 1 May 2023, his Memorial was transferred to my care, and I noticed that his date of death had been changed to 18 Sep 1896.

Re-verification of his actual date of death, is required. An 18 Sep 1896 death date, is correct, based on the newspaper articles inserted below.

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September 18th, 1896 is the correct date, at Seybert, MO, I think. :), per Becky Doan:

Marion County Herald, Palmyra, MO, 24 Sep 1896, Thursday
The Newton County News, Newtonia, MO, 24 Sep 1896, Thursday
The Kirksville Daily Journal, Kirksville, MO, 24 Sep 1896, Thursday
Lewis County Journal, Monticello, MO, 25 Sep 1896, Friday

A FATAL BOLT OF LIGHTNING

A 17-year-old son of T. B. Montgomery was killed by lightning several miles north of Greenfield. He was plowing, and the mule team he was driving also was killed.

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Dade County Advocate, Greenfield, MO, 24 Sep 1896, Thursday

KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

Chas. W. Montgomery, the 18 year old son of Thos. B. Montgomery of near Seybert, while plowing in his father's field last Friday was struck by a bolt of lightning which instantly killed him and the team of mules with which he was at work. The bolt seems to have struck the young man in the back of the head and to have followed the left side of his person to the ground, riddling his clothing even to the shoe. He carried a silver watch which was stopped by the shock at exactly 4:25, and the metal of the lower side of the case was melted by the heat. Samuel Robertson, a neighbor boy, was visiting with the young man at the time of the accident and just before it happened had made several rounds with him, talking over the neighborhood affairs, crops, &c., but had become tired and had sat down on the fence to await him on the next round; it was never completed, but in full view of his friend and visitor Mr. Montgomery was struck down. The deceased was a nephew of C. W. Montgomery, our county clerk, and his name-sake.

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Golden City Herald, Golden City, MO, 24 Sep 1896, Thursday

A young boy by the name of Montgomery living near Greenfield, Mo., was instantly killed by a stroke of lightning, last Saturday afternoon. He was plowing when the bolt struck him, and the mule team which he was driving was also killed.

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The Greenfield Vidette, Greenfield, MO, 24 Sep 1896, Thursday

SEYBERT.

Chas. Montgomery, aged eighteen years, a son of Thomas B. Montgomery, was struck by a bolt of lightning and instantly killed, on Friday the 18th inst., at 4:25 o'clock. A span of fine mules with which he was plowing were killed at the same time. Charley was plowing with a cultivator, preparing the ground for wheat when a small cloud came up and other evidences of a storm began to appear. He kept at his work after the storm cloud appeared, and was still at it when the fatal bolt struck. The next instant both the boy and the team were lying dead upon the ground, having all been killed by the same bolt. The boy was struck in the top of the head, the bolt tearing out the crown of his hat, passing down his left side. His pants were torn completely into shreds and his shoe torn from his foot. The clothes were set on fire and when his father and Si King, who were working about a quarter of a mile away, got to the body the clothes were burned very nearly off the body. The flesh was badly burned in places. He was buried on Saturday at the Fullington cemetery, there being probably four or five hundred friends and neighbors present at the services. The bereaved parents have the heartfelt sympathy of this community.

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The above newspaper articles detailing the sudden and tragic death of, Charles William "Charley" Montgomery, were researched for me by, Becky Doan, of Kansas. She provided this information to me on, Tuesday, 23 May 2023. Her assistance is greatly appreciated.

Submitted to the Memorial of my Great Granduncle, Charles William "Charley" Montgomery, on Wednesday, 24 May 2023, by Country Boy Genealogy #50187889.