Alameda County Biographies

ZACHARIAH MONTGOMERY

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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


 
        Amongst the early pioneers of California none stand out more prominently 
for honesty, integrity and ability than Zachariah Montgomery, better known to 
the early settlers of California as "Zach" Montgomery.
        Mr. Montgomery was born on the 6th of March, 1825, near Bardstown, 
Nelson county, Kentucky. He came by inheritance to those qualities which 
distinguished his eventful career, being the descendant of a Norman family that 
accompanied William the Conqueror to England. According to tradition it is two 
hundred years since the Montgomerys came over to America with Lord Baltimore and 
settled in Maryland, later descendants following the westward trend of 
population and locating in Kentucky.
        Zachariah Montgomery died in the city of Los Angeles, California, 
September 3, 1900.
        He was educated at St. Mary's and St. Joseph's colleges in his native 
state and graduated from the last named institution with high honors. In 1850 he 
was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky and July 31, 1850, crossed the 
plains to California. On reaching California he essayed the occupation of a 
miner but shortly afterward took up the practice of law in which profession he 
continued with but little intermission until the close of his brilliant and 
honorable career.
        In the early 50's he married Ellen Evoy who together with her mother was 
an early pioneer of the state of California. Mrs. Montgomery is a true type of 
the heroic women who crossed the plains to the wild and unknown West and are the 
mothers of the builders of this great and incomparable state. The fruit of this 
marriage was: John J. Montgomery, who became afterwards noted as an early 
pioneer in aerial navigation and a scientist of world wide renown; Zachariah 
Montgomery, who died in infancy; Mary C. Montgomery; Margaret Montgomery; Rose 
Montgomery, who died in infancy; Richard Montgomery, who has been prominently 
identified with the development of the city of Oakland ; Jennie E. Montgomery; 
and James P. Montgomery, an attorney who has been actively identified in the 
civic uplift of his native city, Oakland.
        In the early history of California Zachariah Montgomery was an active 
and vigilant worker for the interests of his state as well as the interests of 
the entire country. He was elected to the assembly of California in the early 
50's and was one of the stalwart figures in this great state in the development 
of its laws and in the formulating of its destinies. Mr. Montgomery was a strong 
democrat and a fearless and conscientious supporter of all that tended to the 
uplift of his adopted state. In 1884 he was called upon by Grover Cleveland to 
act as assistant attorney general of the United States and in this office 
performed invaluable services for his country and stood as a bulwark against the 
greed and avarice of corruptionists in their endeavor to make way with the 
public lands.
        As a man his word was never questioned; as a lawyer he enjoyed national 
reputation; as an orator he had few equals; and in his passing away his adopted 
state and his country lost a brilliant statesman, a great orator and a man on 
whose tomb might well be written the word "Just."
 
Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 
1914, p. 547