Deserved Tribute to S. A. Montgomery
The New Orleans Times-Picayune of December 13 has the following concerning Mr. S. A. Montgomery, formerly of Covington, whose death occurred in that city December 12:
Following illness of several months Samuel A. Montgomery, one of the best known lawyers of New Orleans and the state, died early yesterday at has hime [sic], 7926 Elm street.
Funeral services were held at the family residence at 4 p.m. yesterday, Rev. W. L. Duren, pastor of the Rayne Memorial Church, where Mr. Montgomery and his family worshipped, officiating.
The body was taken to Hearne, Texas, at 9 p.m. last night for interment in the family burial plot. Funeral services and interment will. Be held in Hearne at 4 o’clock this afternoon.
Mr. Montgomery had been prominent in legal and political circles of New Orleans and the state for more than a quarter of a century, following his removal to the city from Covington, Tenn., his birthplace. He has also been prominent in affairs of the Methodist Epicopal [sic] church, in which he and his family held membership.
Aligning himself with reform forces of the state and city, Mr. Montgomery repeatedly was offered public offices, but contented himself with only minor awards.
Mr. Montgomery was named first assistant district attorney for New Orleans following Gov. Newton C. Blanchard’s election. He was appointed registrar of voters by Gov. Hall and at the time of his death was president of the new court building. Aside from these offices he never held public place, despite the fact that several judgeships were offered him, according to those high in political circles.
Mr. Montgomery was educated in the public schools of his native state. He taught school and then entered the service of the United States Treasury Department. He was transferred to New Orleans in this connection in the late nieties [sic], and had resided here continually since.
He studied law in his spare hours at Tulane University and developed a large practice in the city. Mr. Montgomery was of an unselfish disposition, according to those close to him, and it was frequently said of him that he had almost as large a practice of charitable cases from which he received no retainer as he did of those paying big fees. He was a director of the Legal Aid Society, which rendered services to those unable to pay for them. (The Covington Leader, Dec. 20, 1922)
FORMER EDITOR LEADER DIES IN NEW ORLEANS
Hon. Sam A. Montgomery, aged 61 years, one of the editors of the Covington Leader from 1888 to 1893, and a prominent citizen and lawyer of New Orleans for the past several years, died at his home in that city early Tuesday morning, after a protracted illness. The burial took place Wednesday at Hearne, Texas.
The news of Mr. Montgomery’s death was a shock to his many friends in Covington and Tipton county, where he spent his early manhood, and was received by them with feelings of the deepest regret. He was a son of the late A. A. and Margaret Montgomery and was born and reared in this county. For many years he represented District No. 12 in the county court.
In 1888 Mr. Montgomery and the late L. D. Hamner were associated in publishing the Leader, and later he and the late J. W. Simonton became the publishers of this paper. He was identified with the Leader as editor of the paper until May 1803, when he left Covington to fill the post of immigration commissioner at the port of New Orleans, having been appointed by President Cleveland to that position. During his term of office as immigration commissioner he was admitted to the bar of New Orleans and entered upon his career as an attorney. Soon after he began the practice of his profession, he was elected assistant prosecuting attorney for the parish of Orleans, serving in that capacity with marked ability for a number of years. Since retiring from that office, he devoted his entire time to the practice of law, which became extensive and lucrative. He was also prominent in the political circles of his state and held for one term or more the position of registrar of elections for the parish of Orleans.
In the courts of justice Mr. Montgomery made an enviable record as a practitioner. He was a forensic speaker and advocated the cause of a client adroitly. Those of his acquaintance knew his splendid code of morals and his high conception of right and wrong.
Early in the nineties “Mr. Montgomery was married to Miss Emma Cummings. To this union one daughter, Miss Margaret Mongomery [sic], was born, who, with her mother, survives him. He was an indulgent husband and father, was devoted to his friends and loved his country. His disposition was tempered with kindness toward his fellow man, and he held out a helping hand to those who trod adversity’s harsh road. Honesty, uprightness, and integrity were his characteristics.
Mr. Montgomery was educated in the public schools of Tipton county and when a young man he served the county as superintendent of public instruction. Since leaving Covington to locate in New Orleans he has visited old friends here often.
He leaves besides his wife and daughter above mentioned, an uncle, Mr. J. M. Montgomery, of this city. (The Covington Leader, Dec. 14, 1922)