JOHN MONTGOMERY, JR., was born in what is now Webster County, Ky., October 4, 1828, a son of Samuel and Rebecca B. (Givens) Montgomery, natives of Kentucky, the former of Franklin and the latter of Lincoln County, and of Irish descent. When six or seven years old, about 1804, Samuel Montgomery removed with his parents to Henderson County, Ky. After a very few years the family came to what is now Webster County, where his father, John Montgomery, Sr., bought wild land, near Providence and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death. He served under Gen. Anthony Wayne during the Indian wars in Indiana, and was wounded in the left arm in one of those engagements. Samuel received his early education and was also married in Webster County. After attaining his majority he bought wild land adjoining the old homestead, and improved a farm upon which he resided until his death in 1862, in his sixty-seventh year. He engaged in flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for several years; shipping live stock, tobacco and produce to New Orleans. In the spring of 1815, just after the battle of New Orleans, he made a trip down the rivers with a flat-boat to New Orleans, and accomplished the return journey on foot in sixteen days. He and wife were life long members of the United Baptist Church. Our subject was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority, and in April, 1852, started for California, accomplishing the entire distance on foot, driving an ox team. Four months were consumed in making the journey. In California he was engaged in farming for four years, and returned to Kentucky in 1856. He then bought a farm near Providence, and was engaged farming and flat-boating to New Orleans for several years. In 1864 he embarked in the general mercantile business at Providence and continued for ten years. During most of this time he was also engaged in the tobacco business, which he carried on until 1882, when he retired from active business. He erected the buildings and founded the home school and normal institute of Providence, where Mrs. Montgomery is and has been for years engaged in teaching. Mr. M. was married in January, 1858, to Miss Linda M. Parker, a native of Webster County, Ky., who bore him eight children, five of whom—three sons and two daughters—are living. Mrs. Linda M. died October 8, 1870. She was a member of the United Baptist Church. Mr. Montgomery's second marriage was, December 20, 1871, to Miss Myra A. Woodward, a native of Davidson County, Tenn. He and wife are members of the United Baptist Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having advanced to the S. M. degree of the council. In politics he is a Democrat.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 1039.