California Biographies

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 the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


HON. JOHN M. MONTGOMERY. Numbered among the pioneers of Merced county is Hon. 
John M. Montgomery, whose death May 4, 1891, removed from the community a public 
spirited and enterprising citizen, and one whose best interests have always lain parallel 
with those of his adopted state. Born in Hardin county, Ky., September 18. 1816, he spent 
the years to manhood in his native state. On removing from the scenes of his boyhood years 
he located in Missouri, where he remained until the spring of 1847; following then the 
westward trend of civilization, he crossed the plains to California, and entered into business 
life in Monterey, where he was located at the time of the discovery of gold. Instead of 
engaging in the precarious fortunes of a miner he found profitable employment in hauling 
freight to the new diggings, having immediately fined up his old ox team with which he had 
crossed the plains. In the fall of 1849 Mr. Montgomery, with Samuel Scott, located in probably 
the first settlement in what is now Merced county, being but a short distance below the 
present site of Snelling. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and continued so 
engaged for many years. 

In 1852 Mr. Montgomery returned to his old home in Missouri, and was there united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Armstrong. Together they made the trip back to California and located 
in the home on Bear creek six miles east of Merced, which Mr. Montgomery had prepared 
before going east. Born of this union were the following children : Mary, the wife of I. Jay 
Buckley ; Jennie, the wife of H. K. Huls ; Ella, the widow of E. L. Smith, of Merced county ; 
John A., deceased; Robert H., of Snelling; William S., of Merced; Katie and Lizzie, both de- 
ceased. In his political preference Mr. Montgomery was active in the counsels of the Demo- 
cratic party, and was often called upon to fill positions of trust and honor. In 1861 he was 
elected a member of the board of supervisors, which office he filled with efficiency. In 1875 he 
was elected to the state senate from his district, and in the sessions that followed gave efficient 
and valuable service. One of the broadest acts in the life of Mr. Montgomery occurred in connec- 
tion with this election to the senate : his seat was hotly contested and rather than allow the 
state to meet this expense he paid it himself. He was considered by all who knew him a man ot 
splendid ability, a manly and upright character, a firm friend and a patriotic citizen, and left to 
his children the inheritance of an honored name.