- JAMES MONTGOMERY, a prominent and well-to-do farmer, who
resides on section 17,
- Union township, is numbered among the pioneer settlers of
this county of 1845. He was born in Brookfield, Trumbull Co.,
Ohio, on the 31st day of May, 1817, and is the son of Robert
and Jane (KEARNEY) MONTGOMERY, who were natives of Washington
County, Pa. After the year 1803, the MONTGOMERY family removed
to Trumbull County, Ohio, where the father purchased 300 or 400
acres of land, developing it into one of the finest farms of
that community. He engaged extensively in stock dealing, driving
his horses, cattle and hogs to market in Philadelphia, and became
one of the wealthy farmers of Trumbull County. His death occurred
in 1836, at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife died in
1840, at the same age. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church,
and an earnest, sincere Christian lady. Although not belonging
to any religious organization, Mr. MONTGOMERY gave liberally
in support of the Church, and was every where known for his kind
and benevolent spirit. His family numbered eight children, but
of that number only three are yet living. William died in Brookfield,
Ohio, and Robert, Samuel, John and Nancy have also passed away.
Of the surviving members of the family James is the eldest; Hugh
is engaged in farming near Brookfield, Ohio; and Eliza J., widow
of Wyatt McKAY, is living on the old homestead. In the month
of August, 1884, Mr. MONTGOMERY attended the reunion held at
the home of his sister to celebrate the eightieth anniversary
of the settlement of the family in Trumbull County, Ohio. Only
four of the original family were in attendance, but seventy-six
of the relatives were gathered together in commemoration of the
day, which was passed in a pleasant manner and will long be remembered
by those present.
- The days of his boyhood and youth our subject spent upon
his father's farm, receiving his educa-
- tion in the common schools of his native county, where he
was reared to manhood. On the 16th day of November, 1838, he
led to the marriage alter [altar] Miss Jane D. COLLINS, who was
born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1818, and is a daughter
of Thomas and Tersey (COLLINS) COLLINS. Her parents were natives
of the Empire State, and settled in Ohio at an early day, where
they passed the remainder of their lives. Four children of that
family are yet living - Mrs. MONTGOMERY; James, a prosperous
farmer, who has been a resident of Huron County, Ohio, for half
a century; Augustus, whose home is in Sylvester township, Green
Co., Wis.; and Lavinia, widow of H. B. STEWART, who was a prominent
and wealthy citizen of Brodhead, Wis., where she is yet living.
- In 1839, Mr. MONTGOMERY and his young wife removed to Wayne
County, Ohio, where he
- purchased a farm, but on account of the unhealthfulness of
the climate, he disposed of his property in 1840, and became
a resident of Portage County, Ohio. In 1845, accompanied by six
families he started for Rock County, Wis., where he has since
continued to reside. Purchasing 160 acres of land on section
17, Union township, he moved into a rented house and thus commenced
his life on the frontier. Not another house was in sight, only
the broad and desolate prairie stretching away as far as the
eye could see. Nothing daunted, however, Mr. MONTGOMERY having
resolved to make a home, set about to accomplish that end. He
was first compelled to build a house. Cutting the logs, he hauled
them to the mill, prepared his own shingles, and on the 16th
day of April, 1846, raised the little cabin, which he had made
unassisted. Into this the family moved, and shelter having been
provided for his wife and children, he immediately turned his
attention to the development of the land. Day by day the work
of cultivation and improvement was carried forward; the original
boundaries of the farm were extended, until it comprised 224
acres, and he became the owner of one of the finest farms in
the county. In 1856, the little log cabin was replaced by a handsome
residence and many other improvements have since been made. The
beautiful evergreens and the fine fruit trees were set out by
Mr. MONTGOMERY, barns and outbuildings were erected and every
thing necessary for a model farm was made. When we known that
Mr. MONTGOMERY started out with a cash capital of $100, we wonder
at his great success, but the results of which have been accomplished
are not due to money alone, but to his indefatigable energy,
his untiring industry and skill, and the assistance of his frugal
and industrious wife.
- By the union of our subject and his wife five children have
been born, but only one remains;
- Lawrence, the eldest, died in infancy. Mary J., born in Ohio,
March 27, 1845, is the wife of George SHAW, a boot and show merchant
of Berlin, Wis., and to them were born three children, Minnie,
Lowell and Wayne, the last named being the only one now living;
and the only grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. MONTGOMERY, Augusta,
born April 7, 1847, became the wife of William PIERCE, of Greene
[Green] County, and died Nov. 30, 1879. Major and Sidia, twins,
were born Jan. 10, 1857. The former died on the 9th day of April,
1874, and the latter May 19, 1875. On the 16th day of November,
1888, the parents passed the fiftieth anniversary of their wedded
life. They can now look back over well spent years, with no regret
for the past and no fear for the future. As the result of the
labor of other years, they have a comfortable competency, which
will enable them to live in pace and retirement during the remainder
of their days, knowing that it will not be long until the summons
to their final home is heard. Progressive and public spirited,
Mr. MONTGOMERY has been one of the leading citizens of the county
and has taken an active part in its public interests. When the
Greenback party was making its influence felt throughout the
land, he was one of its foremost members in this community and
belonged to the State Central Committee, in which he was an earnest
worker. He believed in the enacting of laws that would do the
greatest good to the greatest number and did all in his power
to promote that principle. In later years he has not affiliated
with any party, but votes for the best man. Straightforward and
honorable in all his dealings, he has the entire confidence of
his fellow citizens, and his word is as good as his bond. Loved
by his friends, respected by his acquaintances, his sketch will
be welcomed and read with interest by the readers of this volume.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 799-801.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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