THE FIRST 100 YEARS
OF
SACRAMENTO LODGE No.40
JOSEPH FAUNTLEROY MONTGOMERY
Joseph Fauntleroy Montgomery, an
original petitioner of Sacramento Lodge was born in Nelson County, Virginia,
November 15, 1812. Early schooling was in his native state and he graduated in
medicine from the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville at the age of 21.
A post graduate course was completed at the University of Pennsylvania at
Philadelphia the following year. Moving to Jackson, Mississippi in 1836 he
practiced medicine until 1842. In 1849 he came to California, arriving at San
Francisco and soon after took up his residence in Sacramento in time to bravely
assist in the fight against the severe cholera epidemic of the fall of 1850. A
member of the first City and County Board of Health, he took an active part in
medical and in civic affairs of the city. He was an officer in the Howard
Benevolent Society, a member of Medical-Chiurgical
Academy in 1850, a charter member of the Sacramento Medical Society, which was
organized April 30, 1855, and was one of its first vice presidents, the other
vice president being Bro. John F. Morse. Dr. Montgomery was active in the
organization of the State Medical Society which was organized in Sacramento on
March 12, 1856. He contributed a number of valuable medical papers and was
Vice President of the Society in 1859 and again in 1871. He was a charter
member of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement organized in 1868 and
was its second president serving from March 17, 1874 to March 23, 1875, when he
retired from this office and declined re-election. Appointed City
Physician in 1853, he served three terms as resident physician of the
Sacramento County Hospital; from February 1856 until October 1857; from October
1857 to June 1858; and from Nov. 1859 until Nov. 1861. In 1870 Governor Haight appointed Dr. Montgomery to the State Board of
Health which had just been organized. In 1876 he was appointed to the State
Board of Medical Examiners under the Practice Act passed by the Legislature in
1876. In addition to professional interests he took an active part in
advancement of educational opportunities in the city and in 1869-70 and again
in 1874-75 he was president of the Trustees of the City Schools. He was active
as a member of the Episcopal Church and served as vestryman or warden of the
church from its organization in 1850 until his death. Dr. Montgomery never
married. Brother Montgomery was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on July
7, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on July 19,
and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on August 11, 1852 in Tehama
Lodge No. 3 F. & A. M. Sacramento. He was an original petitioner of
Sacramento Lodge No. 40 and was its first senior deacon. Membership was
maintained in both Lodges until Feb. 5, 1855 when he was dimitted
from Tehama Lodge No. 3. He maintained membership in Sacramento Lodge No. 40
until June 6, 1879. Dr. Montgomery died in Sacramento, Monday, October 8, 1883,
and was laid to rest in the old Masonic Plot in the City Cemetery.
Transcribed
by Sally Kaleta.
Proofread by Betty Vickroy.
© 2007 Sally Kaleta.