TOPE FAMILY PAGE

    Olive Pearl Kear, daughter of Mary Catherine Tope and Robert Thomas Kear, was born 17 October 1869 in Van Wert, Van Wert Co., Ohio, and died 19 October 1869 in Delta, Fulton Co., Ohio.  She married Oscar Montgomery, son of James Montgomery and Ann Eliza Gilliland, on 21 August 1895 in Van Wert, Van Wert Co., Ohio.  Oscar was born 24 Mar 1870 in Van Wert Co., Ohio and died 5 November 1943 in Delta, Fulton Co., Ohio.
    Olive received her education in the Van Wert, Ohio, school system where she attended the 2nd Ward School, and graduated from the Van Wert High School on 29 May 1889 [note 1].
     After graduating from high school, she taught the 3rd grade in the 3rd Ward School until marrying Oscar.[note 2] Although not taking college training before teaching, she was trained in summer teacher's institutes [note 3].
     Olive and Oscar began their married life by helping to farm the Montgomery place in Pleasant Township, Van Wert Co., Ohio. Then they purchased a farm in Henry Co., Ohio, in the Fall of 1904 and Moved there. This farm was sold in 1911, and they purchased a farm in Pike Township, Fulton Co., Ohio, where they farmed until retirement in the Spring of 1919 and moved into Delta, Ohio [note 4].
     After high school, Oscar went west to Colorado, Idaho and Montana where he helped survey the Great Northern Railroad through these states. [note 5] His father, James Montgomery , was a popular public servant, being elected a member of the Van Wert Board of County commissioners in 1860, and Treasurer of Van Wert County in 1877.
     Olive probably was born in the family home at Shaffer and Allingham Streets. However, in 1880 she was living in her grandfather's (i.e., Levi Tope) home with him, her mother, and two young brothers. [note 6] While attending high school, she lived with an uncle, Wiley McDonald Kear, at 455 Maple Street, Van Wert, Ohio. [note 7] Olive told her children about not being permitted to play, or even look out the window at children at playing on Sunday because of his religious beliefs [note 8].

    Olive had been in failing health for several years before her death. In this time she lived with her daughters, Helen, Ethel and Mildred. Her final day was spent in a convalescent home where she died from Leukemia. Olive’s funeral was conducted by nephew, Donald L. Kear.  Oscar died in the Detwiler Memorial Hospital, Waseon, Fulton Co., Ohio.

     The Montgomery family has been traced to Count Montgomery, who lived in Normandy in 912 A.D. Oscar's direct line begins with :

• Joseph Montgomery, born 1680 in Ayrshire, Scotland, and died in County of Armagh, Ireland, 1760,  Samuel Montgomery was born 1743 in County of Armagh to Margaret ----, and William Montgomery , born 29 March 1769, County of Armagh, married Margaret -----; 
• James Montgomery , born 5 March 1765 in Ireland, died 2 April 1850, married Eleanor Hoy, 1794 in Washington Co., Pennsylvania, died 5 May 1881, Columbia Co., Ohio, married Sarah Poe, 4 January 1825, Canton, Ohio; 
• James Montgomery born 20 December 1829 in Stark Co., Ohio, died 22 December 1914 in Van Wert Co., Ohio, married Ann Eliza Gilliland, 7 September 1854. Oscar was one of eight children born to James and Ann [note 9].

Olive and Oscar Montgomery had seven children:

1. Helen Kear⁶ Montgomery was bom 7 May 1897 in Van Wert Co., Ohio.
2. Ethel Lucille Montgomery, born 4 March 1899 in Van Wert, Van< Wert Co., Ohio.
3. Mildred Ann Montgomery, born 5 December 1900 in Van Wert, Van Wert Co., Ohio.
4. Mabel Leora Montgomery, born 5 January 1904 in York Twp., Fulton Co., Ohio.
5. Ralph Montgomery, born 12 September 1907, Colton, Henry Co., Ohio, and died 29 January 1908. He is buried in Heath Cemetery.
6. Olive Gladys Montgomery, born 23 April 1909, Colton, Henry Co., Ohio.
7. Hazel Irene Montgomery, born 10 February 1915 in Delta, Fulton Co., Ohio.

---