Daniel Montgomery Jr.

Daniel Montgomery Jr. (October 30, 1765 – December 30, 1831) was an American pioneer, soldier, and public servant.

Major General Daniel Montgomery Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 5th district
In office March 4, 1807 – March 3, 1809
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	George Smith
Constituency	Northumberland County
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
In office 1804–1806
Preceded by	George Jacob Follmer
Succeeded by	James Laird
Constituency	Northumberland County
Member of the Pennsylvania House
In office 1802–1803
Preceded by	Samuel Dale
Succeeded by	Leonard Rupert
Constituency	Northumberland County
Personal details
Born	(1765-10-30)October 30, 1765 Londonderry Township, Province of Pennsylvania, British America
Died	December 30, 1831(1831-12-30) (aged 66) Danville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse	Christina Strawbridge (m. 1791)
Relations	Montgomery Clan
Children	7
Parent	William Montgomery (father) Margaret Nevin (mother)
Website	United States Congress
Military service
Allegiance	Pennsylvania, America
Branch/service	Pennsylvania Militia
Years of service	? — 1819
Rank	Major General
Commands	81st Regiment 8th Division 9th Division

Biography

Daniel Montgomery Jr. was the third son of William Montgomery, and was fifteen years old when his father settled his lands in Northumberland County in Pennsylvania called "Montgomery's Landing" and later Danville, named after Daniel. Under the guidance and assistance of his father, he opened the first store in Danville. Soon he was the trusted merchant and factor of a wide circle of patrons. This first store building was where General William Montgomery House now stands. On November 27, 1791, Daniel Montgomery married Christiana Strawbridge. The next year he laid out the town of Danville — the part east of Mill street. The new town received its baptismal name from the abbreviation of his Christian name, through the partiality of his customers. From this time until his death he was the most prominent man in this part of the State.

Elected to the Legislature in 1802, he at once took his father's place as a trusted leader in the public enterprises and politics of his district. By leading men throughout the State he was recognized as a man of great influence in wisely shaping public affairs. During his active political life of many years he carried on his extensive mercantile establishment, purchased and owned large tracts of land. In 1805 he was lieutenant-colonel in the 81st Pennsylvania Militia. He was appointed major-general of the 9th Division July 27, 1809. He was the chief promoter in the building of turnpike roads in this portion of the State.

Elected to Congress in 1807 as a Democratic-Republican, he served out his term ably and acceptably and declined a reelection. He worked efficiently for the division of Northumberland county and the erection of Columbia and Union counties; Danville was made the county seat of Columbia county, and the father and son donated the land for the county buildings, and contributed largely in money towards their erection. In 1823, though strongly urged by prominent men all over the State, he declined to stand for the office of governor. In 1828 he was appointed one of the canal commissioners, and it was while he was in this office that the great internal State improvements were inaugurated — among others the North Branch canal was located and well advanced towards completion. He was a large stockholder and a strong promoter of the Danville Bridge Company, completing the bridge in 1829. He originated the project of the Danville & Pottsville railroad and was first president of the company.

Further reading

• Russel, A.F. In memory of Gen'l William Montgomery, Gen'l Daniel Montgomery, and John C. Boyd. Intelligencer (1879)
• Brower, D.H.B. Danville, A Collection of Historical and Biographical Sketches. Lane S. Hart. (1881)