Changes

| occupation=[[Business]]man, [[Educator]]​

| occupation=[[Business]]man, [[Educator]]​

| religion=Southern [[Methodist]] Church​

| religion=Southern [[Methodist]] Church​

| alma_mater=Benton (Louisiana) High School<br>

| alma_mater=Benton (Louisiana) High School

[[University of Arkansas]] (Fayetteville)​

[[University of Arkansas]] (Fayetteville)​

[[University of Colorado]] (Boulder)​

[[University of Colorado]] (Boulder)​

==Background==

==Background==

As with the "S" in [[Harry Truman|Harry S. Truman]], the "A" in A Harold Montgomery stood for nothing. Montgomery was born in Humble near [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] in Harris County, [[Texas]], to Alley C. and Martha Belle Montgomery. He was one of eight children who moved in 1921 with their parents to tiny Linton in Bossier Parish. The Montgomerys then relocated to the parish seat in Benton  so that the children could receive a better education. He graduated from Benton High School, and with the help of a loan from an older sister, he attended the [[University of Arkansas]] at Fayetteville, at which he received Bachelor of Science and [[Master of Science]] degrees in agriculture. His graduate studies were at the [[University of Colorado]] at Boulder.<ref name=obit>Obituary of Harold Montgomery, Sr., ''The Shreveport Times,'' December 18, 1995.</ref>​

As with the "S" in [[Harry Truman|Harry S. Truman]], the "A" in A Harold Montgomery stood for nothing. Montgomery was born in Humble near [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] in Harris County, [[Texas]], to Alley C. and Martha Belle Montgomery. He was one of eight children who moved in 1921 with their parents to tiny Linton in Bossier Parish. The Montgomerys then relocated to the parish seat in Benton  so that the children could receive a better education. He graduated from Benton High School, and with the help of a loan from an older sister, he attended the [[University of Arkansas]] at Fayetteville, at which he received Bachelor of Science and [[Master of Science]] degrees in agriculture. His graduate studies were at the [[University of Colorado]] at Boulder.<ref name=obit>Obituary of Harold Montgomery, Sr., ''The Shreveport Times,'' December 18, 1995.</ref>​

 

Montgomery taught agriculture at Haughton High School in Haughton in south Bossier Parish east of [[Shreveport]]. At that time he met Azalee Wilson (1902-1985), the postmistress at Haughton. After three years in Haughton, Montgomery moved to [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] in Lincoln Parish, where he taught vocational agriculture at Ruston High School. He received many honors for his teaching abilities and his love and dedication for his students. He was also known to paddle recalcitrant boys.<ref name=obit/> In 1955, Montgomery attended the White House Conference on Education.<ref>''Minden Herald'' and ''Webster Review," December 8, 1955.</ref>​

Montgomery taught agriculture at Haughton High School in Haughton in south Bossier Parish east of [[Shreveport]]. At that time he met Azalee Wilson (1902-1985), the postmistress at Haughton. After three years in Haughton, Montgomery moved to [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] in Lincoln Parish, where he taught vocational agriculture at Ruston High School. He received many honors for his teaching abilities and his love and dedication for his students. He was also known to paddle recalcitrant boys.<ref name=obit/> In 1955, Montgomery attended the White House Conference on Education.<ref>''Minden Herald'' and ''Webster Review," December 8, 1955.</ref>​

 

While he was teaching in Ruston, Montgomery became aware that the area needed a feed store to supply his farmer friends. He used his savings to rent a building on West Mississippi Avenue in Ruston that became "Montgomery's Feed and Seed".<ref name=obit/>​

While he was teaching in Ruston, Montgomery became aware that the area needed a feed store to supply his farmer friends. He used his savings to rent a building on West Mississippi Avenue in Ruston that became "Montgomery's Feed and Seed".<ref name=obit/>​

 

=="Father of the poultry industry" in Louisiana==​

==Father of the poultry industry in Louisiana==

 

Montgomery invested in the mass production of broiler [[chickens]]. He understood, when others did not, that the production of [[poultry]] could be a money-maker for the farmers of north Louisiana and also provide a more ready market for his feed products. At the time, broiler chickens were produced only in small groups of five hundred or fewer because it was thought that the poultry should not be kept continuously in a chicken house. It was believed that the chickens should be let out in a yard for several hours a day to remain healthy. Montgomery realized that placing the chickens in a yard was not economically feasible. So, he raised five thousand birds in an enclosed environment. His foresight earned him the title of "father of the poultry industry" in Louisiana.<ref name=obit/>​

Montgomery invested in the mass production of broiler [[chickens]]. He understood, when others did not, that the production of [[poultry]] could be a money-maker for the farmers of north Louisiana and also provide a more ready market for his feed products. At the time, broiler chickens were produced only in small groups of five hundred or fewer because it was thought that the poultry should not be kept continuously in a chicken house. It was believed that the chickens should be let out in a yard for several hours a day to remain healthy. Montgomery realized that placing the chickens in a yard was not economically feasible. So, he raised five thousand birds in an enclosed environment. His foresight earned him the title of "father of the poultry industry" in Louisiana.<ref name=obit/>​

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Montgomery renamed his feed and seed store the "Montgomery Distributing Company" when he began to specialize in [[gasoline]] lawnmowers.​

Montgomery renamed his feed and seed store the "Montgomery Distributing Company" when he began to specialize in [[gasoline]] lawnmowers.​

 

Montgomery held the first [[patent]] on a rotary blade mower. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, mowers were equipped with a rotating reel assembly that was either pushed by hand or was propelled by a small [[gasoline]] engine. This kind of mower worked well in short grass, but it clogged up in tall grass. Montgomery did not invent this mower, but he obtained the patent from a frustrated inventor in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. The first commercially produced rotary mower, the Yazoo Master Mower, was then produced by a small manufacturing plant in the capital city of [[Jackson]], [[Mississippi]]. Montgomery was the Louisiana distributor of Yazoo until 1981, when he closed his lawnmower business in Ruston.<ref name=obit/>​

Montgomery held the first [[patent]] on a rotary blade mower. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, mowers were equipped with a rotating reel assembly that was either pushed by hand or was propelled by a small [[gasoline]] engine. This kind of mower worked well in short grass, but it clogged up in tall grass. Montgomery did not invent this mower, but he obtained the patent from a frustrated inventor in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. The first commercially produced rotary mower, the Yazoo Master Mower, was then produced by a small manufacturing plant in the capital city of [[Jackson]], [[Mississippi]]. Montgomery was the Louisiana distributor of Yazoo until 1981, when he closed his lawnmower business in Ruston.<ref name=obit/>​

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==Ranch Azalee==​

==Ranch Azalee==​

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Through good management and, in Montgomery's belief, divine guidance, his business flourished, and he was financially able to marry Azalee on [[Valentine's Day]], 1945, after an 11-year courtship. The couple had one child, A Harold Montgomery, Jr., known as "Hal" (September 17, 1946 &ndash; September 8, 2015).<ref name=halmobit/> Montgomery thereafter purchased their dream place, a [[farm]] south of the village of Doyline in Webster Parish. He named the habitation and land "Ranch Azalee" after his wife. The Montgomerys occupied the estate in May 1953.<ref name=obit/>​

Through good management and, in Montgomery's belief, divine guidance, his business flourished, and he was financially able to marry Azalee on [[Valentine's Day]], 1945, after an 11-year courtship. The couple had one child, A Harold Montgomery, Jr., known as "Hal" (September 17, 1946 &ndash; September 8, 2015).<ref name=halmobit/> Montgomery thereafter purchased their dream place, a [[farm]] south of the village of Doyline in Webster Parish. He named the habitation and land "Ranch Azalee" after his wife. The Montgomerys occupied the estate in May 1953.<ref name=obit/>​

 

Ranch Azalee was formerly known as the Bryan House, having originally begun c. 1804 by James Jackson Bryan. It was built in the late Federal/Greek revival style of architecture with an open [[dogtrot]] core. After Montgomery's death, Ranch Azalee was added in 1999 to the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>Louisiana historical marker, Ranch Azalee, Harold Montgomery Road, Webster Parish, Louisiana.</ref>​

Ranch Azalee was formerly known as the Bryan House, having originally begun c. 1804 by James Jackson Bryan. It was built in the late Federal/Greek revival style of architecture with an open [[dogtrot]] core. After Montgomery's death, Ranch Azalee was added in 1999 to the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>Louisiana historical marker, Ranch Azalee, Harold Montgomery Road, Webster Parish, Louisiana.</ref>​

 

Because his business interests and his legislative duties were a considerable distance from Ranch Azalee, Montgomery drove tens of thousands of miles per year. Such a demanding schedule made him a workhorse. It also made him aware of the need for highway improvements in Louisiana.​

Because his business interests and his legislative duties were a considerable distance from Ranch Azalee, Montgomery drove tens of thousands of miles per year. Such a demanding schedule made him a workhorse. It also made him aware of the need for highway improvements in Louisiana.​

 

==Election to the state Senate==​

==Election to the state Senate==​

Montgomery ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate in the 1955-1956 Democratic [[primary|primaries]], having been defeated by 192 votes in a runoff election held on February 21, 1956, by [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], owner of the Jones Kitchen [[restaurant]] (later known as the Southern Kitchen) in Minden. Jones was subsequently the [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] municipal fire marshal]. Jones received 6,734 votes (50.7 percent) to Montgomery's 6,542 (49.3 percent).<ref>''Minden Press,'' January 17, 1956, p. 1.</ref> Other candidates in the primary for the state Senate seat included Minden educator Lloyd C. Starr (1899–1982), an [[Arkansas]] native who served on the Webster Parish School Board and was an [[insurance]] agent and investor. Starr polled 2,039 votes. A fourth candidate, the [[attorney]] James Benjamin Wells of [[Bossier City]], finished with 917 ballots.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, State Senate election returns, 1955 primary.</ref>​

Montgomery ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate in the 1955-1956 Democratic [[primary|primaries]], having been defeated by 192 votes in a runoff election held on February 21, 1956, by [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], owner of the Jones Kitchen [[restaurant]] (later known as the Southern Kitchen) in Minden. Jones was subsequently the [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] municipal fire marshal]. Jones received 6,734 votes (50.7 percent) to Montgomery's 6,542 (49.3 percent).<ref>''Minden Press,'' January 17, 1956, p. 1.</ref> Other candidates in the primary for the state Senate seat included Minden educator Lloyd C. Starr (1899–1982), an [[Arkansas]] native who served on the Webster Parish School Board and was an [[insurance]] agent and investor. Starr polled 2,039 votes. A fourth candidate, the [[attorney]] James Benjamin Wells of [[Bossier City]], finished with 917 ballots.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, State Senate election returns, 1955 primary.</ref>​

 

Then Montgomery successfully challenged Jones in the 1959-1960 primary cycle. In the December 7 primary, Montgomery led Jones, 7,929 votes (46.6 percent) to 6,542 (38.5 percent), but two other candidates polled a critical 2,536 votes (14.9 percent). In the runoff election on January 9, Montgomery easily defeated Jones, 11,116 (66.5 percent) to 5,611 votes (33.5 percent) and won sixty-eight of the seventy precincts in what is now a revised District 36.<ref>''Minden Press," December 9, 1959, and January 11, 1960, p. 1.</ref> In his five state senate campaigns (two unsuccessful), Montgomery never faced a [[Republican Party|Republican]] opponent.​ The seat is now held by the Republican [[Robert Mills]].

Then Montgomery successfully challenged Jones in the 1959-1960 primary cycle. In the December 7 primary, Montgomery led Jones, 7,929 votes (46.6 percent) to 6,542 (38.5 percent), but two other candidates polled a critical 2,536 votes (14.9 percent). In the runoff election on January 9, Montgomery easily defeated Jones, 11,116 (66.5 percent) to 5,611 votes (33.5 percent) and won sixty-eight of the seventy precincts in what is now a revised District 36.<ref>''Minden Press," December 9, 1959, and January 11, 1960, p. 1.</ref> In his five state senate campaigns (two unsuccessful), Montgomery never faced a [[Republican Party|Republican]] opponent.​ The seat is now held by the Republican [[Robert Mills]].

 

In the primary held on December 7, 1963, Jones failed in a comeback attempt against Montgomery. Calling himself an "[[Independent voter|Independent]]", Jones endorsed the unpledged elector movement for the 1964 presidential campaign, a position originally held by Montgomery himself.<ref>''Minden Press,'' December 9, 1963, p. 1.</ref>​

In the primary held on December 7, 1963, Jones failed in a comeback attempt against Montgomery. Calling himself an "[[Independent voter|Independent]]", Jones endorsed the unpledged elector movement for the 1964 presidential campaign, a position originally held by Montgomery himself.<ref>''Minden Press,'' December 9, 1963, p. 1.</ref>

 

Oddly, Montgomery and colleague [[Danny Roy Moore]], who represented Claiborne and Bienville parishes, had side-by-side desks in the far right corner of the Senate chamber. Moore noted too that he and Montgomery were the most conservative members of the chamber during the 1964-1968 term.<ref>Statement of Danny Roy Moore, Arcadia, Louisiana, January 5, 2011.</ref>​

Oddly, Montgomery and colleague [[Danny Roy Moore]], who represented Claiborne and Bienville parishes, had side-by-side desks in the far right corner of the Senate chamber. Moore noted too that he and Montgomery were the most conservative members of the chamber during the 1964-1968 term.<ref>Statement of Danny Roy Moore, Arcadia, Louisiana, January 5, 2011.</ref>​

 

According to Montgomery's [[obituary]] in ''The  Shreveport Times,'' he was indeed "known as a staunch conservative. Fellow conservatives loved him, and even those who disagreed with his views respected him. All who knew him either personally or by reputation respected him for his impeccable veracity, honesty, patriotism, fairness, dedication, and his love of [[God]], family, home, and country."<ref name=obit/>​

According to Montgomery's obituary in ''The  Shreveport Times,'' he was indeed "known as a staunch conservative. Fellow conservatives loved him, and even those who disagreed with his views respected him. All who knew him either personally or by reputation respected him for his impeccable veracity, honesty, patriotism, fairness, dedication, and his love of [[God]], family, home, and country."<ref name=obit/>​

 

In the 1959 and 1963 [[Governor|gubernatorial]] election years, Montgomery, like most of his constituents, opposed the candidacy of fellow Democrat [[Chep Morrison]], the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]] from 1946 to 1961 and later ambassador to the Organization of American States. Montgomery believed that Morrison, as governor, would work to dismantle the segregated school system still in place in the state even though Morrison, considered a party [[liberal]], was openly committed to maintaining segregation. Montgomery supported state Senator [[William Rainach]] of neighboring Claiborne Parish in the gubernatorial primary. When Rainach finished third in the balloting, Montgomery, like virtually all of Rainach's supporters, backed former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]] in the Democratic runoff. Davis then defeated Morrison and thereafter turned aside Republican [[Francis Grevemberg]] in the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960.​

In the 1959 and 1963 [[Governor|gubernatorial]] election years, Montgomery, like most of his constituents, opposed the candidacy of fellow Democrat [[Chep Morrison]], the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]] from 1946 to 1961 and later ambassador to the Organization of American States. Montgomery believed that Morrison, as governor, would work to dismantle the segregated school system still in place in the state even though Morrison, considered a party [[liberal]], was openly committed to maintaining segregation. Montgomery supported state Senator [[William Rainach]] of neighboring Claiborne Parish in the gubernatorial primary. When Rainach finished third in the balloting, Montgomery, like virtually all of Rainach's supporters, backed former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]] in the Democratic runoff. Davis then defeated Morrison and thereafter turned aside Republican [[Francis Grevemberg]] in the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960.​

 

Montgomery in a 1964 appearance said that the Louisiana legislature is independent only when a two-thirds vote is required for select issues; otherwise the governor's program is nearly always automatically adopted. "The way Louisiana is governed is by the man we elect governor of this state. With a bad governor we'll fail," Montgomery said. His legislative ally, [[B. H. "Johnny" Rogers]] of Grand Cane in DeSoto Parish south of Shreveport, agreed: "The government of Louisiana cannot be any better than the governor of Louisiana."<ref name=sjournal/> Rogers urged citizens interested in good government to come to committee hearings in Baton Rouge. In such cases, their mere presence will impress legislators.<ref name=sjournal>{{cite web|url=http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15140coll23/id/2266|title=Legislators support med bonds|publisher=''[[Shreveport Journal]]''|author=Harry Taylor|date=May (day missing) 1966|accessdate=October 25, 2014}}</ref>​

Montgomery in a 1964 appearance said that the Louisiana legislature is independent only when a two-thirds vote is required for select issues; otherwise the governor's program is nearly always automatically adopted. "The way Louisiana is governed is by the man we elect governor of this state. With a bad governor we'll fail," Montgomery said. His legislative ally, [[B. H. "Johnny" Rogers]] of Grand Cane in DeSoto Parish south of Shreveport, agreed: "The government of Louisiana cannot be any better than the governor of Louisiana."<ref name=sjournal/> Rogers urged citizens interested in good government to come to committee hearings in Baton Rouge. In such cases, their mere presence will impress legislators.<ref name=sjournal>{{cite web|url=http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15140coll23/id/2266|title=Legislators support med bonds|publisher=''[[Shreveport Journal]]''|author=Harry Taylor|date=May (day missing) 1966|accessdate=October 25, 2014}}</ref>​

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