Yolo County
Biographies
J. C. MONTGOMERY
Other localities besides his own community recognize in Mr. Montgomery one of the most experienced horsemen of the entire state. His interest in and liking for animals date back to his earliest recollections, and he can scarcely recall the time when he was not familiar with the qualifications necessary for well-bred horses. The care of stock came intuitively to him, and even in early youth his judgment was sought by his seniors when in doubt as to the best method of caring for or training a certain horse. As a boy he became interested in raising trotting stock, and he has continued in the enterprise to the present time, meanwhile selling many fine specimens, as well as retaining several that have made records. At one time he was part owner of the famous French stallion Fortuno, which was awarded medals at French shows, and as a three-year-old won the second prize at the California state fair. For a number of years the animal sired all of the fine colts raised in this vicinity and some fillies sired by him are still on the Montgomery farm. Dan Logan, 2:11 ¼, which Mr. Montgomery owns and has entered at a number of races in the pacing class, and which was raised on his farm, is by Charles Dunby, out of Effie Logan, and a full brother of Jim Logan, the champion three-year-old pacer of the world, holding now and for some time past the world’s record of 2:03 ¼.
The distinction of being a native-born son of Yolo county belongs to Mr. Montgomery, who was born near Davis in 1872, and is a member of a highly-respected family of the community. Attendance at the public schools was followed by a course of study in Hesperian College at Woodland, and upon the completion of his education he returned to the old homestead to assist his mother in its management, remaining there until 1895. For a time he farmed in partnership with his brother, and later he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. At this writing he owns and occupies forty acres in Solano county, across the line from Yolo county, besides owning fifty-five acres in the same neighborhood. For three successive years his home ranch was under cultivation to sugar beets, and this enriched the soil to such an extent that the year afterward he harvested forty sacks of barley to the acre.
After leaving the old homestead, Mr. Montgomery established a home for himself, being united in marriage, in November of 1895, with Miss Glory C. Miller, who was born and reared in Woodland, Cal., and received an excellent education in the schools of the state. Her father, Antone Miller, was an honored early settler of California, and a sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have two children, a daughter, Mary Ethel, to whom is being given all the educational advantages within the means of her parents, and a son, Edwin Lowell. The family standing is high socially and they have a large circle of friends in the community, where for years they have been prominent residents.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 807 – 808.
Hon. Francis E. BAKER
A native of Michigan, Francis E. Baker was born in Quincy, October 2, 1839, and he made his home in his native state until he became a resident of California. His early education was followed by a course in Hillsdale College, which he entered in 1860 and continued his studies there until the fall of 1862. It was at that time that he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, and immediately after his graduation, March 31, 1864, he was admitted to the bar. In the following year he came to California via Panama, and in 1867 he located in Yolo county, and here he engaged in teaching until 1871, when he began the practice of law. In September, 1873, he was elected district attorney, and in 1875 he was re-elected, thus holding the office from March 4, 1874, until March 4, 1878.
For many years Mr. Baker was a leader in the Democratic party and a shining light among the attorneys of the state. In 1880 he was elected to the assembly of the Twenty-forth legislature, and during his term of office he represented his constituents ably. He was a member of the board of education, was one of the library trustees, and held various other municipal offices, in all of which he showed good judgment and a keen loyalty to the community’s best interests. Fraternally he was a Mason and was past worshipful master and was also honored by an election to Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of California. He also held membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Uniform Rank, K. P.
In Woodland, July 19, 1874, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Addie E. Thomas, a native of Monroe, Green county, Wis., and the daughter of Charles S. and Josephine L. (Wallace) Thomas. (A sketch of Charles S. Thomas will be found elsewhere in this volume.) Mr. Baker was one of God’s noblemen. He was generous to a fault, true as steel, and all who came in contact with him liked him instinctively. He was a very able man, with broad ideas and a remarkably strong and bright intellect, and he left a record in his profession that will ever adorn the brightest pages of legal jurisprudence in the county and state.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County, California” by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 808 – 809.