From: Smith, James H., 1880, History of Chenango and Madison Counties, New York. D. Mason & Co.. Syracuse, NY

Linus Montague
Facing Page 660

The original text includes an illustration of Linus Montague
 

        Linus Montague was a native of Cazenovia, Madison county, NY, born July 22, 1799.  One of a family of eleven children, of Oreb and Lydia (Annis[Annas]) Montague, who settled in Cazenovia about 1796.  Of the large family of children but one is now living -- the youngest son, Oreb, who is a Baptist clergyman residing in WI.  Linus Montague worked on his father's farm until 1824, when he married Miss Harriet Abbey, daughter of Theodore and Abigail (Porter) Abbey.  She was born September 6, 1796, in Connecticut, and came with her parents to Cazenovia in 1801.
        They were born, the father in 1769, and died in 1812, the mother born in 1774, and died in 1811.  They had a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters, of whom only two daughters are now living.  Mrs. Montague and her youngest sister, Susannah, who married John Forshey (Foushee), and is now living in Augusta, MI.  After Mr. Montague's marriage he took the entire management of the farm, his father living with him until his death, which occurred in 1825, the mother having died two years previous.  He carried on farming until 1842 when he came to live in Cazenovia village where he was engaged in the marble business for several years.  After retiring from that he was engaged in various enterprises until 1860, when he retired from active business.
        To Mr. and Mrs. Montague were born three children, Richard Porter, born June 4, 1825, now living in Cazenovia, Wilfred Weed, born October 5, 1827, now living in San Francisco.  In 1862 he married Elizabeth (Gray) Southworth, a native of New York city, but at the time of their marriage a resident of San Francisco.  Harriet Louise, born November 24, 1832, married R.R. Robertson, of Syracuse, September 12, 1862.
        Linus Montague died February 15, 1879.  In early life he became identified with the Presbyterian church at Cazenovia, and until his death was a constant, earnest member, holding the office of Elder in the church for many years.  Zealous in its interests, he was unceasing in his endeavors for the advancement of religion.  He was a staunch Republican and an active supporter of that party.  (He was) A man fond of reading and deeply interested in all articles of a public character.
        His venerable widow, now in her eighty-fourth year, retains possession of her faculties to a remarkable degree, and bids fair to live and be a comfort and blessing to her children for many years.  She also is a member of the Presbyterian church at Cazenovia.  The second son, Wilfred Weed is engaged in the hardware business in San Francisco.  The firm is W.W. Montague & Co., 110, 112, and 114 Battery street, San Francisco, with an office at 54 Cliff street, New York city.
        He also owns and runs a large ranch of several hundred acres about fifty miles from San Francisco, and is one of the most prominent among California's prominent men.