admin HENRY MONTGOMERY, son of Ezekiel Montgomery, was born in Fort Edward, Montgomery County, N. Y., February 17, 1827. When four years old he came with his parents to Silver Creek, N. Y. Leaving school at sixteen, he learned the millwright’s trade, and for a few years, in company with W. R. Grunleaf, manufactured steam engines. When the Eureka Smut Machine Works were founded he was admitted to partnership and soon became the acknowledged head of the firm. In 1867 he sold out his interests in Silver Creek, and a year later came to Buffalo, entering the firm of Clark, Holland & Co., afterward Lee, Holland & Co., the well-known lumber dealers, the association thus begun continuing until his death.
Mr. Montgomery was a strong Republican, and in 1882 and 1883 he sat in the Common Council as Alderman from the 10th Ward. He was one of the most faithful and energetic members of the city legislature, and served on many important committees, but the most notable feature of his public record was as Chairman of the Committee on Schools. He gave close attention to the betterment of the School Department, and during his term of office many school buildings were erected and an extensive system of improvements was inaugurated.
Mr. Montgomery was a leading member of the Lumber Exchange of Buffalo, and was for many years Chairman of its Board of Directors and Transportation Committee. He was a member and Chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Merchants’ Exchange, and a member of the North Presbyterian Church of Buffalo.
In 1858 Mr. Montgomery married Helen Lee, daughter of Oliver Lee of Silver Creek, N. Y. He is survived by his widow and two sons, George Brewster and Henry Ernest Montgomery. Another son, Nelson Lee Montgomery, died April 6, 1881.
The death of Henry Montgomery occurred October 5, 1887. In him Buffalo lost one of her best citizens, and the estimation in which he was held cannot be better indicated than in the following, taken from the memorial resolutions adopted by his associates of the Merchants’ Exchange.
Henry Montgomery was known and acknowledged among his associates as a strong man – a strong man mentally and physically – a man of strong will, of strong convictions and of unflinching courage in maintaining his convictions- a man of quick perception, prompt decision, energetic action, a strong, true man living in and guided by the highest, purest principles.
In all his relations as a man of business his reputation was exactly what should be expected of the man whose character has thus been faintly portrayed.
Into the more secluded paths of private life we will not here intrude, save briefly to honor his memory as a true Christian gentleman, a consistent member of a Christian church, a generous, open-hearted contributor to many charities and benevolent institutions – one whose sympathizing help was ever alert in responding to the cry of the poor and the distressed; in fine, one of those men who, when the summons comes which calls him hence, is missed and mourned far and beyond the circle of family and friends wherein his daily life has centered.”
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I