California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

 

Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


J. A. MONTGOMERY.� The population of California seems truly 
cosmopolitan in its nature, sometimes attracting people from the four corners 
of the globe. Among its people there is a considerable representation of 
Canadians, whose qualities make of them solid, substantial citizens, loyal to 
the country of their adoption. Manitoba has contributed her share of our fine 
men, notable among them Mr. Montgomery. Although still a young man 
he has become a highly respected citizen of Ukiah. He comes of English 
parentage, being the son of J. A. and Mary (Ruler) Montgomery, and was 
born near Griswold in the province of Manitoba, October 15, 1882. Receiving 
his early education in the provincial schools, at an early age his parents 
moved to the States, locating near Carrington, N. Dak., where he engaged 
in farming, also attending the local schools. When seventeen years of age 
he made his way to the coast, locating first in Livermore, where he followed 
farming eleven months, after which he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith 
in Livermore, learning the rudiments of the trade. After two and a half years 
at the trade he became homesick for his old home and made his first trip 
back to North Dakota, but the call of California was too strong, so he came 
back after only spending five months at home. This time he came to Carnegie, 
Alameda county, where he entered the brick and terra cotta works as a black- 
smith, remaining in their employ three months. Coming to Mendocino 
county he purchased a blacksmith's shop at Sherwood, where he engaged in 
business, also branching out in the general contracting business, and con- 
tinuing in these lines until the fall of 1911, when he located in Ukiah. Pur- 
chasing the business and good will of a Mr. Chesall, on State street, he has 
nbly continued the business, meantime installing an electric motor and 
purchasing new machinery throughout. He has also installed all appliances 
for wood-working and has a fine triphammer. He has invented several useful 
mechanical devices, notably a saw set. 

In Ukiah Mr. Montgomery was married to Rosalie Holzhauser, a native 
daughter of California. She graduated from the Ukiah Normal School and 
was a teacher at the time of her marriage. They have two children, James 
A. Jr., and Eleanor. They are both devoted members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and Mr. Montgomery is a Republican, adhering closely to 
his party's ideas. He is a fine business man and a thorough mechanic, highly 
respected for his integrity, business methods and his success in his chosen 
field of labor.