The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-01-09
WILL SEE CENTURY YET.
Notable Citizen Of Astoria Reaches
Eighty.Fourth Year.

lNH'fNht was NAAsWRA sFsff Nes~
great Democratic annual season for
bluquci. and political pow.wows and
subsequent subsistence. etc; Il was,
also. the birthday Of remarkable and
valued citizen OF Astoria, whose only
aiiiliaiion with the Democracy lies in
the fact that the calendar makes his
natal day and the great presidents.
identical Almerin Montgomery reached
his cighty.fourth milestone yesterday.
lie was horn near Albany, New York,
on January :. lss2, and for iifty.three
of these year, he has been a good and
serviceable citizen OF this city and
county. having come here in 1859, across
the plains.
lie |. fine specimen Of well.preserv'
ed, cheerful, hopeful old age, without
an organic ailment, or even a transient
III, to hamper him, the direct result of
y Wholesome clean, regular, outdoor
existance In the best climate on earth,
and holds an obvious chance Of attain.
ing the rounded century OF mortal life.
lie has but sixteen paltry years to iill
out, aud there are none TO deny him
far more, yet, than that since there is
nothing in his present physical status
aud style TO operate as barrier.
His father claimed direct desccndent
from the General Montgomery who fell
at Quebec and the claim Is quite iusti-
fable by the records upon which the
elder Montgomery predieaied the claim.
The Astoria patriarch does not lay any
particular stress on this distinction
save, at Il goes TO establish the down
right good quality Of his forbears,
Mr. Montgomery is the last Of his
race. lie says he is just "lone, or
phan boy" without kith OF kin, max.
ing his way in life the best he can; and
his best Is a very comfortable and easy
going sort. He enjoys a competency
wrought in his working days and takes
the years as they come, with bright
and CHEEKY quiesccnce and a modest
effort to make things plcasanter for
Others wherever, and whenever, he can.
lie has done political duty for As
toria and Clatsop, serving as sheriff.
custom. inspector, pilot commissioner
and justice, and what he doesn't know
Of Astoria, her history, her people, her
struggles, successes and failures, would
dll mighty small record.
He remembers Portland when there
we're not 500 people in her confines nor
made street to mark her public
ways; he has read the orcgonian as a
subscriber, for half century; he help
ed found the Marine Gazette of this
city. now the Astorian, and has sub
scribed. and paid, for it, ever since, and
he knew every editor out here in early
days.
An these are but notes, incidental
comments, on the long and busy career
Of citizen always conspicuous for his
faith in, and loyalty to, the city OF
Astoria and the County Of Clatsop, and
are made In the running, so TO speak,
and while the Astorian deplores its in
ability to give a full compendium Of
Mr.. Montgomery's career, Il does most
gladly congratulate him upon bis attain
ment to ripe, hearty and healthy old
age. and hopes he may know many
aud happy years yet, In the community
he has helped to make, and which
counts him among its conspicuous and
honored leaders and fellows. II will
gladly herald, and make due record, OF
his centennial birthday, the late hon
ored and lamented Andrew Jackson to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
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