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JAMES ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY.
- The prosperity that comes to some is but the just reward of years
of industry, coupled with unceasing economy, and backed by good
management. These three will lead to success, no matter what
the calling may be, but it is especially true of farming.
Shelby County, Ill., is the home of many substantial one who is
rated high among his neighbors, James Alexander Montgomery of
Rural Township. Mr. Montgomery was born in Parke
County, Ind., Feb. 2, 1854, and was brought to Illinois when five
years old, in 1859, by his parents, John B. and Maria (Allen)
Montgomery, natives of Alabama and Virginia. They were
married in Indiana, and he, being a physician, decided that
Westfield, Clark County, Ind., offered a good field for him.
However, in April, 1863, he moved to Windsor, Shelby County, Ill.,
where he continued in active practice until his death, May 2, 1889,
when he was seventy-two years old. Dr. Montgomery was
survived by his wife for three yeas, when she died at Stewardson.
Several children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Montgomery, four
of whom are still living, namely: Mattie, widow of Dr. Ell
York, lives in Shelbyville; Michael, now a druggist at
Blue Mound, Ill., was for thirty-five yeas a druggist at Windsor;
Elizabeth, widow of John Reber, is now living at El Paso,
Texas; and James A.
James A. Montgomery grew to manhood in Windsor,
attending the public schools, and later entered Lincoln University,
at Lincoln, Ill. In order to earn the money for his university
course, Mr. Montgomery taught school in Ash Grove Township.
After a year at Lincoln, he entered Westminster College at Fulton,
Mo., a Presbyterian school. Hard times came upon the country,
and Mr. Montgomery resumed his teaching, securing a school in
Oconee Township, where he remained the following year. He
taught at Windsor, Stewardson and Herrick, and was Principal of the
Schools at each place. In 1894 he was elected County
Superintendent of Schools and served eight yeas, leaving office in
1902. While he was Superintendent, Mr. Montgomery
endeavored constantly to advance the standards both of the schools
and the teachers under him and to create and stimulate an interest
in the work. He made it a practice to pay a personal visit to
each school during the year, keeping in close touch with his
teachers, and because of his ability and enthusiasm, he has rendered
the County a service that can never be forgotten. In 1907-08
he taught at Herrick, being Principal of the school. He owns a
fine stock farm in Rural Township, consisting of 80 acres, which he
left in 1904. Mr. Montgomery is a well-read man,
although he has been compelled to confine himself largely to books
of a professional nature; he is much interested in an authority upon
all matters pertaining to this subject.
In November, 1901, Mr. Montgomery married
Miss Georgia Carpenter, born in Ridge Township, daughter of
George and Mary E. (McDonald) Carpenter, the former of whom died
before Mrs. Montgomery's birth. Her maternal
grandfather, Thomas McDonald, died at Shelbyville, in 1908.
Mrs. Carpenter married a second time and is now Mrs.
Proney, of Shelbyville. Mrs. Montgomery was
educated in the common schools of Shelbyville. The children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were as follows: J.
Leonard Montgomery, aged four; Mildred Hazel Montgomery,
aged two yeas, and John Henry Montgomery, an infant.
Mr. Montgomery is a Democrat, and very active in
his party interests. He often serves as delegate to local,
County, Senatorial and Judicial Conventions and has attended some
State Conventions. He is a member of the Christian Church of
Shelbyville. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Windsor
Masonic Lodge, the Windsor Lodge of Odd Fellows, the Shelbyville
Lodge of Knights of Pythias, and is also a Modern Woodman. An
excellent farmer, a conscientious and able educator, and a loyal
citizen, Mr. Montgomery is without doubt one of the
representative men of Shelby County, where he is so well and
favorably known.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Shelby County, Vol. II, Publ. 1910 - Page 936 |
