Merced County Biographies

ANDREW EARL MONTGOMERY

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        Having passed thirteen years of his life in Merced County and having 
made a special study of properties and their real worth, Andrew Earl Montgomery 
is a recognized authority on land values. His special work has been the 
developing of fig orchards, vineyards and dairies and disposing of them; thus 
his efforts have contributed to the growth of Merced County in a very 
substantial manner. His birth occurred on his father's ranch in western Kansas, 
on July 1, 1889, and he is a son of W. C. and Delia (Kelly) Montgomery; W. C. 
Montgomery was engaged in farming all his life, and is now deceased. At one time 
he was a member of the Kansas State legislature. His widow makes her home in Los 
Angeles.
        Andrew Earl Montgomery received his preliminary education in the grammar 
and high schools of his native state; after the family came to California, he 
entered St. Vincent's College in Los Angeles, from which he was graduated in 
1910, with the degree of A. B. After finishing school he went to Mexico, where 
he spent two years in prospecting and mining, then returned to Los Angeles and 
engaged in the real estate business. Through having charge of a tract of land in 
Merced County, he became interested in this section of California, and in 1911 
located in Merced permanently. He purchased a dairy ranch and after eight years 
of successful management sold out and devoted his attention to the development 
of a fig orchard. He now owns two bearing fig orchards and one vineyard in the 
vicinity.
        In 1917, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Josephine 
Iler, one of California's native daughters, born at San Rafael, and they have 
two children: Marjorie Ruth, and Andrew Earl, Jr. Fraternally, Mr. Montgomery is 
affiliated with Merced Lodge No. 1240, B. P. O. E., of Merced. He has served as 
temporary secretary and a director of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is an 
active member. Mr. Montgomery had charge of the campaign of putting over the 
irrigation pageant in Merced, a great undertaking, which was wisely handled and 
which proved a great factor in advertising this productive section of 
California.
 
History of Merced County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 873