Montgomery - Alexander
Source: Alexander Montgomery (b. 1789, KY, d. 1835, IA). He lead an
interesting life, so if I may, I would like to share what I have gleaned
in regards to old Alex. The following is from two bios, one from his
son, Alexander Jr., and one from his grandson, Issac Herrod "I. H."
Montgomery: Since this information came from biographies, there may be
some errors. As it is, I have him dying in 1835 in Iowa at age 110! He
may have moved back from Iowa by 1835, though. Where is he buried?
"Alexander
Montgomery Sr. came to America (aged 17 ) from Ireland before the
Revolutionary War began. The young Irishman eagerly espoused the cause
of the struggling colonists, and gave his ready aid in the fight for
liberty. He served for 7 years. Peace having been declared, he devoted
his time to home and family.
The following narration is from two
bios, that of Issac H. Montgomery (#108) and that of Issac's son,
Simpson (#89). They do not agree in some details in regards to Alexander
Sr, like which children go with which wife.
"He was thrice
married. His first wife, who did not long survive, left him one son,
John A. Montgomery. His second union in the bonds of matrimony gave to
his care a family of five children, of whom Alexander, the father of
Simpson Montgomery, was fourth in number. His third wife he married when
he was 95 years old and then they moved to Iowa, where he died."
Alexander
Montgomery Sr. and his (first or second?) wife settled in Kentucky at
an early day and by 1782 they were in Shelby, KY, where Alexander Jr.
was born. About 1812 he removed to Scott county, IN, where his first
wife died.
In Kentucky he was a contemporary of Daniel Boone, and
participated in a number of the engagements with the Indians on the"dark
and bloody ground". He also experienced the harships and privations of
pioneer life.
In politcs he was an old-line Whig, and in religious
belief was a Methodist. His opposition to slavery had led him to leave
Kentucky, but he never owned slaves even while in that state. He was a
noted frontiersman and pioneer, and performed an important work toward
opening up the states of Kentucky, Indiana and Iowa to the advance of
civilization.
Alexander Montgomery Sr. was a (first?) cousin to
Revolutionary War General Richard Montgomery, of the British Army, who
fell at the siege of Quebec.
Judy Landauer <geniegal@g14.myrf.net>
NOTE: It is quite obvious that the birthdate of Alexander is incorrect IF he was indeed a Revolutionary War soldier, coming to America before the Revolution. Hmmmm