JAMES MONTGOMERY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Middletown; was born in Gibson Co., Ind., Jan. 27, 1838; son of Thomas J. and Sarah (Stone) Montgomery; the former a native of Kentucky, but came, with his parents, to Indiana when but a child, and the latter a native of Indiana; after their marriage, they remained in Indiana until the fall of 1849, when they moved to Bee Grove, Menard Co., Ill. Mr. Montgomery and his brother-in-law (Mr. Stone) were the first settlers of that grove. Thomas J. and Sarah Montgomery were the parents of seventeen children, three of whom are now living; Thomas Montgomery departed this life Dec. 9, 1868, and his wife, in April 1861. During the late war, three of the sons were in the army - James, Richard and Samuel; the last two never lived to see their old home in Illinois again. The subject of this sketch was in Co. G, 38th I. V. I., and served three years with honor and distinction, and was in the following notable engagements, through all of which he escaped without a wound; Stone River, Chickamauga, Perryville and all the engagements between Mission Ridge and Atlanta; after the capture of Atlanta, he, with his command, was sent back to re-enforce Gen. Thomas, where they arrived in time to participate in the bloody battle of Nashville, Tenn.; he was discharged at Huntsville, Ala., having been in active service for more than three years. Perhaps there is not a man in Menard Co. who can show a better war record than James Montgomery. He passed his early life and manhood working on his father's farm; received a very indifferent education. Soon after his return from the army, he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Steel Sept. 20, 1866; they had five children, four of whom are now living - Calvin C., born Jan. 3, 1868; Arthur M., Aug. 8, 1869; Edgar W., March 15, 1871, and Avery D., March 5, 1873. He was married Jan. 23, 1879, to Miss Elizabeth C. Harrison, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Montgomery owns 160 acres of well-improved land, and is a consistent member of the C. P. Church. His only sister, Elizabeth, resides with him, and is an intelligent young lady.