John Henry Montgomery,
Spartanburg, SC
Spartanburg, SC
John Henry Montgomery (1833 - 1902)
John Henry Montgomery was born into a family distinguished in British history. His great-great grandfather
moved from Northern Ireland, as did many Scotch-Irish and settled in Pennsylvania. Like many others, he
followed the road south and settled in Spartanburg County, SC in 1975. His early training was in the mercantile
area. At age 19, he became a clerk in a country store in the county. Later, he formed a partnership with a
brother-in-law. With the death of his partner, he continued the business and added tannery.
When the War Between the States broke out in 1861, Montgomery joined the army and was soon made
commissary of the brigade. He assisted with such activities throughout the War and rose to the rank of
Captain, CSA. After the War, he returned to the mercantile and tanning business. He added commercial
fertilizers, Walker, Flemming & Company, and warehousing to his business interests.
The first opportunity in textiles came with the acquisition of waterpower rights by Walker, et al., at Trough Shoals
on the Pacolet River. A cotton mill was erected in 1881 and became the first unit of the Pacolet Manufacturing
Company. Montgomery was chosen president and treasurer. The initial 10,000 spindles were increased to
20,000 in 1887 and 40,000 in 1893.
In 1889, Montgomery organized the Spartan Mills, an integrated spinning and weaving mill, where he became
president and treasurer. Under the leadership of his sons and grandsons, the company grew and prospered.
The product included print cloth, broadcloth and sheeting. Montgomery also became interested in the
Gainesville Cotton Mills, Gainesville, GA; the Whitney Mills, Whitney, SC; the Lockhart Mills, Lockhart, SC; The
Clifton Mills, Clifton, SC; and the Morgan Iron Works, Spartanburg.
He died after falling while inspecting a mill in Gainesville, GA.
Sources:
1) Jacobs, William Plumer.1935. The Pioneer. Clinton, S.C.: Jacobs & Co. Press.
2) Montgomery, David B. 1903. A Genealogical History of the Montgomerys and Their Descendents.
Indianapolis, IN: J. P. Cox Publisher Google digital Accessed April 19, 2008.
John Henry Montgomery was born into a family distinguished in British history. His great-great grandfather
moved from Northern Ireland, as did many Scotch-Irish and settled in Pennsylvania. Like many others, he
followed the road south and settled in Spartanburg County, SC in 1975. His early training was in the mercantile
area. At age 19, he became a clerk in a country store in the county. Later, he formed a partnership with a
brother-in-law. With the death of his partner, he continued the business and added tannery.
When the War Between the States broke out in 1861, Montgomery joined the army and was soon made
commissary of the brigade. He assisted with such activities throughout the War and rose to the rank of
Captain, CSA. After the War, he returned to the mercantile and tanning business. He added commercial
fertilizers, Walker, Flemming & Company, and warehousing to his business interests.
The first opportunity in textiles came with the acquisition of waterpower rights by Walker, et al., at Trough Shoals
on the Pacolet River. A cotton mill was erected in 1881 and became the first unit of the Pacolet Manufacturing
Company. Montgomery was chosen president and treasurer. The initial 10,000 spindles were increased to
20,000 in 1887 and 40,000 in 1893.
In 1889, Montgomery organized the Spartan Mills, an integrated spinning and weaving mill, where he became
president and treasurer. Under the leadership of his sons and grandsons, the company grew and prospered.
The product included print cloth, broadcloth and sheeting. Montgomery also became interested in the
Gainesville Cotton Mills, Gainesville, GA; the Whitney Mills, Whitney, SC; the Lockhart Mills, Lockhart, SC; The
Clifton Mills, Clifton, SC; and the Morgan Iron Works, Spartanburg.
He died after falling while inspecting a mill in Gainesville, GA.
Sources:
1) Jacobs, William Plumer.1935. The Pioneer. Clinton, S.C.: Jacobs & Co. Press.
2) Montgomery, David B. 1903. A Genealogical History of the Montgomerys and Their Descendents.
Indianapolis, IN: J. P. Cox Publisher Google digital Accessed April 19, 2008.