JAMES BUCHANAN MONTGOMERY, a prosperous and progressive young farmer, and extensive landowner, of East Finley township, is a native of the same, born July 27, 1856, a son of Silas and Margaret (Elliott) Montgomery. Hugh Montgomery, his grandfather, was born in Ireland in 1780, and when yet a young man left his native land to seek his fortune in the New World. He landed in Philadelphia, whence he pushed on to Washington county, and October 21, 1803, he took up 200 acres of land embracing what is now the home tract of the Alexander Montgomery estate, situate about seven miles southeast of Claysville; the farm is situated on the headwaters of Big Wheeling creek. Here he built a log cabin in the midst of the wilderness, and began to clear the land. In 1808 he was united in marriage with Ruth Enlow, a resident of East Finley township, and who was living near the lonely young pioneer, to which union were born the following children: Susanna (Mrs. Thornberry), born February 20, 1810; Anne (Mrs. Sprowls), born November 17, 1811; James, born October 23, 1813 (moved to Ohio); John, born November 5, 1815 (settled in East Finley, where he died); Jesse, born September 27, 1817 (settled in East Finely); William, born July 23, 1819 (was a resident of Washington borough for many years; he kept a store, and was justice of the peace twelve years); Rebecca (Mrs. Post), born May 24, 1821; Phoebe (Mrs. Martin), born November 14, 1823 (lived in Ohio); Alexander, born August 6, 1825; Mary (Mrs. Sprowls), born May 13, 1828, and Silas, born June 18, 1830. Only one of this family is now living, Mary, residing in East Finley township, the widow of Simeon Sprowls. Hugh Montgomery was a farmer all his life, and his success in business was but a just reward of his industry and economy. In addition to the land which he first took up after settling in Pennsylvania, he afterward purchased over 600 acres, and at his death he bequeathed 150 acres to each of his six sons; he was also an extensive stock dealer. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat. he died may 17, 1847, aged sixty-seven years, followed by his wife July 22, same year, aged sixty-one years.
Silas Montgomery, the youngest child of Hugh Montgomery, first saw the light in East Finley township, this county, and his boyhood and early youth were passed on his father's farm, his education being limited to a few weeks' attendance at the old log school-house at Stony Point. On September 7, 1855, he was married to Margaret, daughter of William Elliott, of Morris township. By this union two children were born, as follows: James Buchanan and Elliott Wilson, the latter born October 31, 1857, and died September 15, 1877. Silas Montgomery died August 27, 1883, since when his widow has made her home with her son J. B. Silas Montgomery was a successful farmer, and at the time of his death owned a considerable amount of property. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious connection he held to the Cumberland Presbyterian doctrine; he was one of the founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Fairview.
J. B. Montgomery received a good, practical common-school education, and learned farming with his father, an occupation he has since successfully followed. On August 22, 1878, he was united in marriage with Kate, daughter of Samuel Hunt, of West Finely township, and to this union were born children as follows: Ross, Silas, Ida, Robert, Janettie, Samuel, Lucinda, Rosella and Catherine (latter being now deceased). Since his father's death, Mr. Montgomery has continued to reside on the old home farm, consisting of 333 acres of well-improved land lying between Bartholdi and East Finley postoffice, on it being one of the finest residences to be seen in the township. Mr. Montgomery, in addition to his general farm interests, is extensively engaged in threshing in the season, and has a large sawmill on his property which he operates; he also gives particular attention to the breeding of Short-horn cattle. In politics he is a Democrat. Religiously Mr. Montgomery belongs to the United Brethren. He has always been very charitable, giving to all charities and helping the poor.
Text taken from page 730 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]