My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS C. MONTAGUE, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Westhampton, was born August 5, 1859, on land now included in the present estate of the family, son of Alfred D. and Sophia (Clapp) Montague. Alfred D. Montague was born and reared in Westhampton, where he also received a substantial education. He began his career as a school-teacher, at the same time carrying on general farming. The best years of his life were spent on the farm where he now lives. He always took an interest in whatever related to the moral or educational advancement of the town that came under his notice, and for many years was an efficient member of the School Committee. Besides Francis C. Montague he has four children, as follows: Edward H., who lives near the old homestead, married to Susan E. Parsons; Lovisa J., residing at home; Alfred D., Jr., now a member of the local School Board, married to Mrs. Emma F. B. Montague, and residing on the old Bridgman farm; and Harriet F., also living with her parents.

Francis C. Montague, the eldest child of the family, was educated in the best schools of the county. Having been bred to the occupation of a farmer, he has since made that his principal business. He is, however, a man of versatility, and can turn his hand to various kinds of labor. He began his agricultural career on his father’s farm. In 1890 he purchased the Medad King farm, situated near the old home estate. In the management of this property he has been very successful. It has yielded him a good income, which has enabled him to make further purchases of adjacent land, so that now he is the owner of three hundred acres of as well-improved and highly cultivated land as can be found in this section of the State. Besides tilling the soil he is also engaged in stock-raising, and is an agent for the sale of sundry articles needed in agriculture. Among the latter are the fertilizer manufactured by the Chittenden Fertilizer Company, the McCormick harvesting machine, made in Chicago, and the newly invented McCormick corn binder, which has met with such a ready sale this year throughout the corn-raising States of the Union. Mr. Montague is a far-seeing and broad-minded man, generously endowed with persistence and enterprise.

On the 6th of December, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice R. Woodard, born in Halifax, Vt., September 6, 1862, a daughter of the Hon. L. M. Woodard, who served his district for two terms as Representative to the State legislature. They had two children, one of whom died in infancy. The other is Grace W., who was born January 1, 1892. Mr. Montague supports the principles of the Republican party, and is one of the most active workers in the county. He has much public spirit, and spares neither time nor reasonable expense in advancing the welfare of his native town. Since attaining his majority he has been a member of the Republican Town Committee, and for several years has served as its Treasurer. In 1886 he was elected a member of the Board of Selectmen. He was again elected to the same office in 1892, and has continued in it since. He has not forgotten the religious teachings of his youth, and both he and his estimable wife are esteemed members of the Congregational church.