Sacramento County

Biographies

 

 

 

 

JOSEPH FAUNTELROY MONTGOMERY, M.D.

 

 

   'He was peculiarly sensitive.  Easily roused to resent what he conceived to be an encroachment upon his rights or a reflection upon his integrity and the unselfishment (sic) of his motives, he possessed, withal, in a high degree, the attributed of tenderness, sensibility to the finer feelings of human nature, and appreciation of favors shown or honors conferred.  The older members of this Society will well remember the night on which, unexpectedly to himself, he was elected to its Presidency----his touching response to the announcement of his election----the pathos of his diction----the deep emotion which could not be restrained.'  In those few words---expressed with a simplicity, a tenderness and a munificence that is ennobling, Doctor Frederick W. Hatch portrays the character of this subject, Doctor Joseph F. Montgomery.

   Dr. Montgomery was born in Nelson county, Virginia, November 15, 1812.  At twenty-one years of age he graduated in medicine from the University of his native State, and again from the University of Pennsylvania in 1834.  In 1836 the Doctor was practicing his profession at Jackson, Mississippi, where he remained until 1842.  Little is known of his practice in Jackson.  A medical card¹ stated he “may be found at the drug store of J. Green or C. T. Ketchum or at the Mansion House,” and an announcement² of a meeting of the Literary Association in which the “feature of the meeting was to be a lecture by Dr. J. F. Montgomery” were the only bits of information to be found.  His Memorial, by the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, states:  “While a resident of Mississippi he was successively Inspector and Physician to the Mississippi State Penitentiary,”  though, through the courtesy of the Department of Archives and History, State of Mississippi, no record is found to substantiate the statement.

   'In 1849, inspired probably by that spirit of adventure which inspired so many to seek new homes on the shores of the Pacific, he came to California, landing at San Francisco, and, soon after, settling in Sacramento.  The second city in the State in population, the rendezvous of the large tide of immigration at that time pouring in across the continent, served to make Sacramento a favorable location for one desiring to devote himself to the duties of his profession, while the location of the city itself, its rude accommodations, its unsanitary condition, and the reckless habits of so many of its population could scarcely have failed to impress the close observer with the prospect of success.  In the Fall of 1850 he had ample opportunity to test his skill and professional devotion during the terrible epidemic of cholera which, following the lines of travel, reached Sacramento and made almost every home the house of mourning.'³

   During residence in Sacramento, continuous from 1849 to his death, Dr. Montgomery took an active part in medical, social and civic affairs.  He devoted a deep interest in the Howard Benevolent Society and was an officer of the organization until his death.  He was a participating member at the formation of the Medico-Chiurgical Academy in 1850, the Sacramento Society in 1855, and in 1856 took part in the organization of the State Medical Society, 'In the work of this Society he was an active participant, and contributed several valuable papers as Chairman of various committees.  Of this Society he was Vice-President in 1859, and again in 1871.'4

   Dr. Montgomery was a charter member of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, and became the second President.  He it was who set the precedent that no president should succeed himself.  The Doctor was a dutiful member, a prompt and regular attender, and constant with a pen when it came his turn to present a paper.  He manifested deep devotion to medical ethics, and by vocal and written utterances greatly influenced the local as well as the State Society.  His thesis, “The Ethics of the Medical Profession,” presented before the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement April 25, 1871, is as cogent today as when written.  The essay was presented 'to show the indispensable need of the profession to the human race and to prove its vitality or indestructibility under the most adverse circumstances.  Where society has any existence to show that where man is there must be also, in some form, or to some degree, the healing are, for in the darkest era of world's history, when barbarism and vandalism swept over the best portions of the earth, demolishing governments and dynasties and destroying libraries and temples, and everything sacred and beautiful and pure, as though they would blot out the last vestige of literature and learning, even then medicine survived and quickly enforced the regards and patronage of the rulers of the rude races.'

    He maintained that 'to insure good feeling and harmony in the ranks of the profession a catholic and unselfish spirit should prevail, and reciprocal courtesies and impartial fairness should be extended alike to all.  The aim should be assimulation (sic) and homogeneity among the members, as far as practicable, that while the most gifted should not be depressed, the less favored might be assisted and urged upward to a higher grade of excellence,' . . .'The reform proposed to be commenced in the schools should be rigidly enforced in every community by members who justly appreciate the sacredness and dignity of the profession.  To accomplish this a chair of Ethics should be added to all medical schools.  Some may presume this impracticable and, therefore, should not be undertaken; that it presupposed a capacity in man for perfection at variance with nature and that, for that reason, the improvement and elevation suggested was not attainable.'

   Dr. G. G. Tyrrell could not believe Dr. Montgomery's remarks were directed toward the local society 'but that it must be more particularly meant for the benefit of the San Francisco doctors.'  Edward R. Taylor, M.D., in his stanzas addressed to Logan, wrote in this vein of Dr. Montgomery:

 

  “When outraged Ethics' sweet attractions

      Were by MONTGOMERY lingered over,

                                                                                                                                   Till all grew more and more to love her.”

 

   In 1853, Dr. Montgomery was appointed City Physician and was three times elected Resident Physician of the Sacramento County Hospital; first, in February, 1856, serving until October, 1857; again October, 1857 to June, 1858; and the third time from November, 1859 to November, 1861.

    He was elected by the Board of Supervisors, in 1862, a member of the first Board of Health of what was then the “City and County of Sacramento,” and later, 1866, became its President.  He served until 1868, was again reappointed in April, 1882, and served until the time of his death.

     Dr. Montgomery was a compelling force during his tenure on the first Board of Health.  It was a period of pioneering; there was little precedent to sustain the Board.   Health laws were in the formative stage and each ordinance submitted for enactment was necessarily originally drawn.  When the first Sacramento Board of Health was formed the city had an epidemic of smallpox.  To protect the health of the city and eradicate the epidemic extreme measures were essential.  But health discipline was onerous to those whose path it crossed.

   The propriety of enforcing ordinances relative to the posting of notices of “Small Pox” on houses, where the disease existed, created the first loss of unified thought within the Board.  Dr. Montgomery was inflexible on the subject.  In a cultured dignity he intimated 'there was an intention implied of placing him in the wrong . . . he would do his duty and that unflinchingly.'  The utterance was partially, if not entirely, correct.  Politics was lurking in the background.  His expression was perhaps premature; oversensitive no doubt, but, nonetheless, his firmness earlier brought to Sacramento health laws the segregation of contagious diseases.

   Dr. Montgomery had a positive mind, and a progressive spirit untainted by fear.  Possessed, too, with a well organized mind he was forceful when speaking, and used a style attractive to hearers.  Choice of words was ever on a gentlemanly plane, though there could be no doubt regarding his position.  Seldom did he follow the middle of the road.  However, when outvoted there was no grumbling.  His pen was as elegant as his speech.  He was not, in the common term, petulant and quarrelsome for he used dignity superior to them.  He honorably defended his beliefs, wholly insensible to personal and political liabilities.  His viewpoints, nonetheless, were advanced with such probity and earnestness they commanded respect, if not always approval.

   'Several traits were prominent in the character of Dr. Montgomery.' wrote Dr. F. W. Hatch.5  One of these, conspicuous in his intercourse with his fellowmen was an unyielding tenacity of purpose.  Reticent upon his own convictions, he was persistent and uncompromising in urging their adoption.  He yielded nothing to policy, but contended for what he believed to be right.  It was so with his intercourse with the members of the medical profession at the bedside of sick and in the consultation room.  He was the same in the various organizations in which he held membership---medical, benevolent and political.  Hence, he often failed in his aspirations and in the accomplishment of desired ends, where more conciliatory action might have led to success.  Yet, while urging his opinions earnestly in debate, he never lost sight of the courtesies which distinguish the true gentleman.'

   Dr. Montgomery's six years on the first City Board of Health, from 1862 to 1868, was a period of Board accomplishment.  Therein the Doctor was a prominent figure and his invasive and aggressive spirit was a real asset.  Defects of individual members were corrected by virtues of the others.  Once again, April, 1883, Dr. Montgomery was appointed to the Board and continued a member until his death.  However, gone was the meridian of life, and with it the fire and zest so prominent during the earlier epoch.  The body had become brittle, the will faded, and his earlier virile characteristics lay sleeping in a fruitful past.

   Governor Haight, in 1870, appointed Dr. Montgomery to the State Board of Health.  As the Doctor was a member of the first City and County Board of Health of Sacramento so, too, he became a member of the first State Board of Health.  He was an eager and active participant of that Board.  His treatises on sanitary subjects, published in the Biennial Reports, will so testify.

   The Doctor was appointed to the Board of Medical Examiners, under the Practice Act passed by the Legislature in 1876.

   Dr. Montgomery was an ardent student, a prolific reader.  It was natural he showed interest in education and took part in development of the school system in his adopted city.  In 1869-70, and again in 1874-75, he was elected by popular vote as one of the City School Trustees, acting as President.

   'In religion, Dr. Montgomery was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church, having acted either as Vestryman or Warden since the first organization of that church in this city, in 1850, to the day of his death.  Even as early as 1834 we find his name recorded as a delegate to the annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Virginia, then in session at Staunton.'6

   Dr. Montgomery never married.  No information is extant that Cupid ever crossed his path.  His sensibilities, seemingly, centered alone in civic and professional projects.  He continued professional pursuits to the end, even though physically feeble.  The day prior to death he 'was on the street, but was almost too feeble to stand along and has been as weak as a child for some time.'7  In his office, over the Sacramento Bank, on Monday, October 8, 1883, Dr. Montgomery held a vigil with Death.  He rests in the old Masonic plot in Sacramento's City Cemetery.

 

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1  Mississippian, Jackson, Mississippi, December 30, 1836.

2  Mississippian, Jackson, Mississippi, June 24, 1842.

3  Dr. F. W. Hatch.

4  Dr. F. W. Hatch.

5  Memorial to Dr. J. F. Montgomery, by F. W. Hatch, M.D.

6  Dr. F. W. Hatch.

7  Sacramento Bee, October 8, 1883, p.3, col. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transcribed 2-28-17  Marilyn R. Pankey.

­­­­Source: “Memories, Men and Medicine A History of Medicine In Sacramento, California by J. Roy Jones, M.D., Pages 344-348. Publ. Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, 1950.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Nugget Library's Sacramento County

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