John E.
Montgomery
John E. Montgomery, a prominent young farmer and
stockraiser of Brandywine Township, was born in Addison Township,
this county, December 15, 1853. He was the ninth of thirteen
children, five sons and eight daughters, born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Steers)
Montgomery, both natives of Scott County, Kentucky. The former was born July 4, 181 2, and was the son of
William Montgomery, with whom he came to this county when he
was about twelve years of age. His death occurred in Brandywine
Township, January 28, 1878. The latter was born in about the
year 1819, and was the daughter of William Steers, a native of
Kentucky, with whom she came to this county in childhood. She
died in Brandywine Township, November 26, 1868. The four
brothers of our subject, were William W., Alfred, James M.
and Columbus, of whom Alfred and Columbus are deceased.
His eight
sisters were Frances J., Tabitha, Emeline, Susan,
Isabel, Eliza, Mary and Lizzie, all of whom are living, except
Emeline and Lizzie who died, the former at the age of twenty-five and the latter at
the age of five years. When he was yet a child, less than a year old, his parents removed to Brandywine Township,
and located on the farm, upon which they lived during the rest of their lives,
and the one upon which our subject now resides. The latter was
reared upon the farm and at about twenty years of age he took up
the vocation of a farmer for himself. His entire attention has
been given to that pursuit in which he has been fairly successful. He was married
May 20, 1880, to Laura Campbell, who
was born in Hendricks Township, this county, December
13, 1861. She was the eldest of five children, two sons
and three daughters, born to John W. and Mary E. (Riley) Campbell,
the former a native of Ohio, and the latter a native of
this State of Irish descent. Her paternal grandfather was David
Campbell, a native of Ohio. Her maternal grandparents were
William and Margaret (Kennedy) Riley, the former a native of
Ireland, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Her two brothers
were Franklin, born October 13, 1863, died February 11, 1867,
and William A., born October 29, 1871. Her two sisters were
Ida, born August i8, 1865, and Electa, born May 29, 1868,
both of whom are living. Immediately after their marriage Mr.
and Mrs. Montgomery located where they now reside. They are
the parents of three children. The first was a daughter, born June
18, 1 88 1, died in infancy unnamed. The others are Ethel,
born
May 18, 1883, and J. Walter, April 23,1887. Mr. and Mrs.
Montgomery are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is an ardent Republican.
He owns 113 acres
of Fine land, about 100 of which are in a high state of cultivation. His farm is fitted up with a handsome residence which,
with a good barn and other substantial improvements, makes a very
desirable location.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant and Fuller, 1887,
"Brandywine [Township] Sketches," pages 620-621.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
Biography Index
Main Page