The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-25


 tership. How Is that for true patriotism ? MT Montgomery was born June cS, lSG2 in Clarendon county South Carolina His father was large planter and served with distinction In the Confederate army. The war was just getting in good swing at the time of Joe Montgomerys birth. He was born in the midst of the greatest excitement, and this coincidence probably accounts for some of his courageous and combatative instincts. He has always had the courage to follow the bent of his con- victlons. This is best illustrated in his utilization with political party that was in disfavor. with. majority of his busi- | ness and social associates, and against the principles of his early training But he believed in the modern principles of the republican party and Joined hand and soul with that party because he believed It was the party of prosperity. This change of heart came in 1901 after the adoption of the new constitution of Alabama and after Cleveland's adminis- tration when President Mckinley's admin. istration seemed to revive the crippled condition of business in the country. Young Montgomery was educated in the common schools of his native county and finished withsan elective course in law at ! the University of South Carolina After his graduation he served as en- rolling and expressing clerk for the South Carolina legislature. After this he was appointed a member of a special com mittee appointed by the legislature to in- vestigate the financial condition of his na- tive county. After this work was com- pleted and report rendered, Mr. Mont gomery returned to Sumter, where he hung out his shingle and began the usual wait for legal clients.
 He passes over this period lightly, and the interviewer did not press him fer par ticulars. It may be taken for granted that his experience was the experience of the average beginner In the law and the other learned professions
 In January. of 1889, having hard a great deal of Birmingham, he came to investi- gate.
 While there were already on the ground a good number of lawyers, there appeared to be also a good number of clients, as well as an abundance of raw material for clients. Birmingham looked good and he resolved to move his shingle to this city. He was also probably prompted by the even then well-established adage that "A man is not without fame save in his own country and among his own people,"
 To be addressed familiarly as Joe" or Tom is very pleasing. but Judge" or "Colonel'' brings business.
 So in the following summer, after the roses had bloomed and the wine had begun to sweeten the grapes, Joe landed in Birmingham. with his shingle. M
 He formed partnership with the late Louis l.. Dean, later with Judge Dan A. Greene and for time was partner with J. Q. Smith. >fsl For while in the early days MT. Montgomery was judge of the police court of Birmingham. That is when the people got the habit of calling. him Judge"
 In 1894 he represented Jefferson county in the state legislature.
 In 1904, after he had affiliated with the republican party, he was sent to the na- tional republican convention as an alter nate delegate from Alabama. The reg ular delegate being unable to attend the convention, Judge Montgomery sat as a delegate and helped in the nomination of Theodore Roosevelt for President and Mir Fairbanks for vice president.
 Mir. Montgomery was again dele- gate from Alabama to the national re- publican convention of 1908 In this convention he served on the committee of platform and resolutions.
 In November. 1907. he was appointed as- sistant United States attorney for the Northern district of Alabama, and held this position until February ]. 1910. when States attorney, which place he held un- til he resigned to accept the postmaster ship of Birmingham. .Aa.
 He was appointed postmaster September 90 last and took office October 12.
 Mr. Montgomery married Miss. Mamie Holizord of Atlanta several years ago They have no children. A brother of Judge Montgomery, Dr. R. M. Montgom- cry, is a member of the Georgia leglsln- fure from Jeff Davis county Another brother Is g Presbyterian minister in Georeia
 Mir. Montgomery is a member of the Presbyterian church.. ~
 His hobby is politics. -a "Let Stoddard Clean for You"