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Hugh J. Montgomery, an
enterprising merchant of Wetaskiwin, where he is also filling the office
of mayor, thus taking active part in promoting the material development
and the civic interests of the city, was born in Prince Edward Island in
1876, a son of James and Catherine (McFarlane) Montgomery. The father
was a son of Hugh Montgomery, a native of Scotland, who in early life
came to the new world, settling in Prince Edward Island, where he hewed
out a farm in the midst of the forest and spent his remaining days
thereon. The grandfather in the maternal line was Malcolm McFarlane, who
was also born in Scotland and became one of the early farmers of Prince
Edward Island. There both the father and mother of Hugh J. Montgomery
were born and reared and the mother spent her life there, while the
father ultimately became a resident of Alberta, where he passed away in
1921. He had always devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and
thus provided for the support of his family of three children, of whom
Hugh J. is the eldest, the others being: W. F. H., who is in business
with his brother; and Mrs. Walter Bowden, now living in Vancouver. The
parents were both active and helpful members of the Presbyterian church
and Mr. Montgomery was a Liberal in his political views.
Hugh J. Montgomery
obtained his early education in the public schools of Prince Edward
Island and pursued a business course in Charlottetown. He spent his life
to the age of twenty years on the home farm and then entered commercial
circles by becoming a clerk for W. S. Newsome, in Centreville, of his
native isle. In 1898 he came to Wetaskiwin, where he was employed as
accountant by John West for three years. He then embarked in
merchandising on his own account in partnership with C. E. Compton, with
whom he was associated from 1901 until 1907. In the latter year their
store was destroyed by fire and Mr. Montgomery afterward, in conjunction
with Sackville and Gerard West, Sons of the late John West, purchased
the business of the Star Trading Company, and the firm name was changed
to Montgomery & West. He remained in that connection until 1912, when
his brother purchased the interest of the West brothers and the firm
today is operating under the style of Montgomery Brothers, Limited, with
Hugh J. Montgomery as the president and his brother as secretary of the
company. They have an extensive store and do a large business annually,
while their trade is steadily increasing with the growth and settlement
of the town and surrounding country. Their stock is carefully selected
to meet the demands of their customers and at all times their thoroughly
reliable business methods commend them to the support of the general
public.
In 1903 Mr. Montgomery
was married to Miss Adelaide Vaughn, who was born in Illinois and whose
parents came to Alberta during her early girlhood, so that she acquired
her education in the schools of Wetaskiwin. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have
become parents of two children: Kenneth, fourteen years of age; and
Lawrence, who passed away in 1922, at the age of twelve years. Mr. and
Mrs. Montgomery have membership in the Presbyterian church and he has
been a member of its managing board for a number of years. Politically
he is a Liberal and has been quite active in politics, staunchly
advocating the party principles and doing all in his power to secure
their adoption. In 1914 he was elected to the legislature and was
re-elected in 1917, rendering valuable service for two terms, but went
down to defeat in the general election of 1921, when the U. F. A.
political party swept the province. He served on the city council from
1905 until 1910 and in the latter year was elected mayor, filling the
position for a term. That he has the confidence of his fellow townsmen
in an unusual degree is indicated in the fact that in 1922 he was
re-elected mayor and is now discharging the duties of the office. He
closely studies the needs of the city and is working along most
progressive lines to promote the welfare and advance the interests of
the municipality. He is a most progressive merchant, owns and operates a
half section of farm land adjoining the city, and he and his brothel'
are owners of a large and modern silver black fox ranch, located
one-half mile north of Wetaskiwin, on the Calgary and Edmonton trail. |
