Biography of James Montauge, Clinton County, Michigan 

Copyright © 1998 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 



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MONTAGUE FAMILY
CLINTON COUNTY MICHIGAN

PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY
PAGE 147
JAMES MONTAGUE
James Montague, deceased, who in his business and private life won the respect and 
confidence of his fellowmen and became known as a representative citizen of Clinton 
county, was born in Middlesex, Canada, March 30, 1847, his parents being William and 
Mary Elizabeth (St. Clair) Montague. The mother was a native of Canada and represented 
families of English lineage. William Montague, however, was from Maine.

	When seventeen years of age James Montague came to Clinton County and settled in 
the village of Ovid, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until twenty-six years 
of age. He then married and located on section 24, Olive township, near the town line 
between Olive and Victor, having there eighty acres of land. He also had eighty acres 
of unimproved land on section 7, Victor Township. Only ten acres of his home farm had 
been cleared when he took possession of the place. He remained on the farm for about 
three years, during which time he cleared fifty acres. He then sold the property and 
on the 8th of March 1877, removed to Sciota Township, Clinton County, on which his 
widow now resides.  Here he secured one hundred and twenty acres of land which was 
partially cleared and he made the farm his home throughout his remaining days. He also 
added a tract of eighty acres so that at the time of his death his realty possessions 
were represented by a valuable farm property of two hundred acres. He built numerous 
outbui8ldings upon his place and added all modern equipments and accessories, carrying 
forward his farm work along progressive lines that resulted in the acquirement of a 
handsome competence. He was very careful and painstaking in all his business affairs 
and in his public duties as well.

  	On the 8th of March, 1873, Mr. Montague was married to Miss Harriet Parker, a 
daughter of John and Sarah (Cronkite) Parker, the former a native of New Jersey and 
the latter of New York. They came in 1837 to Michigan, settling in Laingsburg. This 
was the year in which the state was admitted to the Union. The father spent his 
remaining days upon a farm in that locality, passing away in 1863, at the age of 
fifty-eight years. His wife departed this life in 1901, at the age of eighty-six years. 
In their family were thirteen children, of whom seven are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs 
Montague were born six children: James Wesley, who was married, February 19, 1902, to 
Della E. Shumaker, by whom he has two children, Blanche Mourea and Evora Irene, and 
they are now living on section 9, Victor Township: Henry N., who was married, March 12,
1901, to Lizzie Eiseman and resides upon the homestead farm; Rubie, the wife of Daniel 
Shumaker, of Olive Township; Fonda Ethel, at home; and Sarah Cressy and John C., twins, 
at home. At the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Shumaker, January 26, 1905, the guests were 
served with strawberries that had been canned almost twenty-six years and were 
pronounced delicious. It was at the request of her father that the berries were saved 
for that occasion and although he did not live to be present his wishes were carried 
out.

	Mr. Montague was a stanch republican in politics and at one time served as 
treasurer of his township. He was also United States juror in Detroit for two weeks in 
September 1899. He was always loyal to the trust reposed in him whether of a public or 
private nature and he lived an upright, honorable life that won him the respect and 
confidence of his fellowmen. He passed away March 21, 1900. After an illness of five 
days, respected by all who knew him, and his loss was deeply regretted by many friends 
as well as his immediate family.

	Since her husband's death Mrs Montague has erected her present residence and 
also the barns upon the place and has bought eighty acres of land additional on section 
9, Victor Township. She also bought eighty-two acres on section 10, Olive Township, for 
her daughter Rubie. She has superior business qualifications as is shown in the 
management of her valuable farming property and at the same time she has the social 
qualities which have endeared her to a large circle of friends, making her a welcome 
visitor in many of the best homes of the county.

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