A.H. Montgomery, one of the most highly respected citizens of the Macyville community, first saw the light of day in the great commonwealth of Ohio, Adams county, in 1826. It was no fault of Mr. Montgomery that he did not win laurels on the battle field for he offered his services and was rejected upon the grounds of disability. Early in life he learned the tanner's trade, following that occupation several years and later became associated with Jesse Grant, the father of President Grant. This combination existed under the most pleasant and successful operation for a dozen years. The latter part of this period Mr. Grant's son Orville, succeeded his fathers interests. The establishment consisted of one hundred and sixty vats and an extended beam house where they finished and unhaired the hides. This important enterprise was run by steam and furnished labor to ten men, and was subsequently sold to New York parties who operated it for a series of years, when it was burned to the ground and never rebuilt.

The Montgomerys and Grants were on friendly social terms. Mr. Montgomery relates an amusing incident which is perhaps hitherto unwritten history. In speaking of General U.S. Grant he says: "Fred Grant (his son) secured the services of a little darkey to tie his horse, act as body servant, and wait on him in true southern style. Soon after General Grant returned home one evening, Fred, with his valet following closely upon the heels of his master, put in an appearance. General Grant inquired somewhat sternly, 'Fred, what have you been doing with a "nigger" running around after you all afternoon?' The next moment he summoned the dusky lad to stand up before him and said, 'Cuffie, did Fred hire you?' 'Yes, sir,' was the prompt response. 'What did he say he would pay you"' 'A quarter,' was the reply. Ulysses paid it and delivered the following order. 'Fred, get your horse.' When he had complied, General Grant turning to the darkey, said, 'Cuffie, take that horse,' and to Fred, 'Take that "nigger" home and bring the horse back.'"

In the year 1861, Mr. Montgomery emigrated to Jefferson county, Iowa where he lived until 1879, - ten years too long he says. In the spring of 1879 he came to Kansas and settled near Macyville on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Montgomery's parents were Adam and Jane (Hayes) Montgomery.

Mr. Montgomery was married, in 1847, to Rebecca A. Wright of Ohio. She is a daughter of Isaac Wright, a farmer of Adams county, Ohio. To this worthy couple, three sons and three daughters have been born, viz: Mary Alice, widow of Jacob Hutten, of Omaha, Nebraska; Ida, wife of R.J. Wilson, a farmer of Summit township; John Harvey, who was a railroad man until two years ago, when he located in St. Louis, where he has charge of a stationary engine; Andrew, of Jamestown (see sketch); Cora, wife of C.W. Amspacher, a former merchant of Simpson, Kansas. James M., a farmer whose wife died three years after their marriage and he has since lived at home with his parents.

Politically Mr. Montgomery is non-partisan and votes for the man. Mr. Montgomery and his wife, who is a kind, motherly woman of refined instincts, are members of the Macyville Methodist Episcopal church.