Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 722-724; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
George K. Montgomery. It has been often said that
invincible determination will accomplish many desired result, and
already are the effects of its constant exercise visible in the life of
this gentleman, who, although one of the youngest of the citizens
represented in our Album, has won a respected position for himself in
the community by reason of his industry, perseverance and genial
nature. He possesses exceptional worth and talent, and is a fine
type of the native-born citizen of Fulton County. He stands on
the threshold of life and has good reason to look forward to a bright
and honored future.
April 26, 1869, was the date of the birth of Mr. Montgomery, and
also of his brother, James, a review of whose life is given in
connection with this personal sketch. In Farmington Township,
Fulton County, where our subject was born, he was also educated in the
common schools and reared to a stalwart manhood. He passed the
winter season in attendance at the district schools, while the summer
was devoted to labor on the farm. At an early age he displayed
ability in the use of tools and in the operation of machinery, and in
the fall of 1889, engaged in work as a carpenter under M. C. Coyan, a
contractor and builder of Corning, Ohio, and helped to erect the twelve
miners’ houses at Middle Grove, Ill.
Feeling it the duty of every true citizen to keep himself well
posted on the duties of American citizenship, our subject provides
himself with such agencies of enlightenment as the press furnishes, in
the way of periodicals, books and newspapers. He takes great
interest in national and local affairs, and aspires to do all he can to
improve the social and material condition of the country at large and
of his community in particular. He gives his hearty support to
the Republican party, and expects as soon as possible to aid it not
only by his voice, but also by the ballot.
James Montgomery, the twin brother of our subject, possess more
than ordinary ability, being one of the youngest men entitle to
representation in a volume containing lives of the prominent citizens
of Fulton County. He and his brother, George, are the youngest in
a family of eleven children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and are
now living. In this community, where he has thus far passed his
life, he is well and favorably known, as a young man of worth and
honor. He is a great reader and keeps himself thoroughly
acquainted with all the import issues of the day.
The brothers are especially skillful in the use of tools and
machinery, and their home shows many evidences of their work and
handicraft. They added to the appearance of their residence by a
handsome portico in front, and placed a cupola on the barn. For
the past four years they have assumed the responsibility of carrying on
their father’s farm and success has crowned their efforts. The
estate comprises one hundred and seventy-five acres, and here they are
carrying on general farming with the skill of veterans and the
thoroughness which only a careful study of their vocation can give.
In his youth James Montgomery had such advantages as are to be
obtained in the public schools of that vicinity, but being a thoughtful
reader and close student of affairs, national and local, he is
well-posted for one of his years. His influence stands for
progress and protection of American industries, and he will undoubtedly
in future years till many positions of responsibility and honor.
Thomas Montgomery is the father of the gentleman who biographies
are given above and is a pioneer citizen of Farmington Township, Fulton
County. He is at present representing his township on the County
Board of Supervisors, and has always labored for the development of the
resources of the county. He is held in the highest esteem, and
serves as Elder in the Presbyterian Church at Farmington, where he and
his family have held worthy membership many years. He is
especially interested in Sunday-school work, and for a number of years,
has been the efficient Superintendent of the same.
Thomas Montgomery comes of worthy Scotch-Irish descent, and was
born in Philadelphia, November 26. 1828, his parents, William and
Rachael Montgomery, being natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated at
an early date to America and located in Philadelphia. Of their
union five children were born, of whom Thomas was the second in order
of birth and is no the eldest living. The father, William
Montgomery, was by occupation a weaver and cotton manufacturer, and
made ginghams, flannels, cloak-patterns, etc. Coming to Illinois
in 18 55, he located in Fulton County, where he died at the advanced
age of almost eighty years. The mother lived to be about the same
age.
They gave their son, Thomas, a common school education and
trained him for a life of usefulness. His first occupation was
that of a weaver, although he has devoted his time principally to
farming.
On December 6, 1849, Thomas Montgomery and Miss Elizabeth Knouse
were united in the holy bonds of wedlock. Mrs. Montgomery is the
daughter of William and Isabella (Holowell) Knouse and was born in
Philadelphia September 30, 1828. Her mother was a Quaker and came
from one of the earliest Pennsylvanian families, her father’s ancestors
originally came from Holland and were among that band of Dutch Reformed
Presbyterians, that came to America at a very early day and settled in
the William Penn colony. Mrs. Montgomery is justly proud of her
illustrious ancestors, who participated in the early history of our
country and were patriotic and brave citizens. She is the third
of the five children that grew up to years of maturity and passed her
early life in Philadelphia. Her grandfather fought in the war of
Independence, and her father in the war of 1812.
To Thomas Montgomery and his estimable wife were born eleven
children, eight of whom are living namely: Rachel, Elizabeth,
Robert J. B., William E., Cecilia, Thomas C., George M. and James
M. Rachel married Elam Bartholomew, and resides in Rooks County,
Kan. Their children are name respectively: George E., Elmer
T., Lizzie T., Jessie E., and Earl R. Elizabeth married Millard
McComb and resides in McLean County, Ill., they have one child, Nellie
M.; Robert J. B., makes his home in Rooks County, Kan. He married
Addie McCormick, and they have two children, Lizzie and Fannie.
William E., who is also a resident of Rooks County, Kan., is
unmarried. Cecilia lives in Armourdale, Kan., and married John
Fenk. They have one child, a son, Lloyd. Thomas C., who is
unmarried, resides in Lake County, Ill. George and James are at
home.
Politically, Thomas Montgomery is a strong Republican, and
uniformly supports the candidates brought forward by that party, in
whose principles he believes. He has exerted an influence
unmeasured on the community where, since 1855, he has made his
home. He inherits the thrift of his Scotch ancestors, who settled
in the North of Ireland, where his parents were born. Their
children have now grown to years of maturity and in other communities
are rearing families and still further extending the upright principles
implanted in their hearts. Thus the example and influence of this
worthy pioneer an his honored wife will continue long after their lives
have been brought to a close.
