Rooms and Rates

For one hundred and seven years the Montgomerys lived in Decorah.

Jehiel and Emily. In May, 1865, Jehiel Halsey Montgomery moved his wife, Emily, and daughters, Louise and Almira, to Decorah from Aurora, Illinois. Michael Henry, their son, remained in Illinois to study pharmacy.

The Jehiel Montgomery family lived on East Broadway. The homestead included seventeen acres of land to the west of what is now Montgomery Street. Jehiel and partner, Mr. Plumb of McGregor, Iowa, purchased a drug store business. "Montgomery and Plumb" was located on the south side of East Water Street.

In spring of 1867, Michael H. moved to Decorah. The Montgomery-Plumb partnership was dissolved in July of that same year. M.H. became his father's business partner. The store name was changed in 1869 to "City Drug and Book Store" when it was moved across the street to the new Relf Building.

During the twenty-seven years Jehiel lived in Decorah, he served as treasurer of the Masonic Chapter No. 35; supported the organization of the school district and was a member of the school board; was an active member of the county Republican party; treasurer of the Corporation of Decorah, and served on the first city council.

The year 1892 saw the passing of Jehiel at age seventy-seven. Jehiel and members of his family are buried in the Montgomery Cemetery which, in 1896, became the south six acres of Phelps Cemetery. Emily, "an earnest Christian woman," passed away in 1906.

Michael and Sarah. Michael H. married Sarah Richardson of Aurora in April, 1871. They lived in Decorah on the southeast corner of Lloyd and Washington. Sarah, a pianist who possessed a beautiful soprano voice, inspired her family with her love of music. Michael H. and Sarah had five children: Charles, Matilda, Sarah, Henry Biggs, and Ruth. Each child was gifted in music performance. It was a normal part of their lives to join in voice and instrument to create their own entertainment.

On land purchased in 1877, George Pennington built this house. Building permits were not issued at that time. The house is situated partially on lot seven and thirty-six feet into lot six of block number ten in Wheeler Addition.

The Pennington house was purchased in May, 1887, in the name of Sarah Montgomery. AT 812 Maple Avenue, the family experienced the joy of birth, celebrated the bliss of weddings, cared for preceding generations, felt the solemnity of funerals, and dismay over the near demise of their home.

By 1892, Michael had remained in business for twenty-five years. Due to ill health M.H. retired. H nurtured a beautiful rose garden which became a part of family lore.

M.H. was on the first floor of his home on Sunday morning December 14, 1919 when a neighbor entered and exclaimed to Michael that the Montgomery house was on fire. M.H. dashed upstairs to the attic and found the entire east end of the attic was burning. The fire had engulfed the five upstairs rooms and burnt through the entire roof. The second story oak floor, which had matched the main floor, was damaged. This accounts for the uneven second story floor of today.

Prior to the fire, Sarah had not been in good health. Sarah passed away in July, 1920. M.H. who was "respected and highly esteemed" by Decorah residents, died seven years later.

Henry and Grace. In Chicago on February 2, 1922, occurred the marriage of M.H. and Sarah's son, Henry Biggs to Martha Grace Wilkinson. Henry B. and Grace had two children; Henry (who was born at Montgomery Mansion) and Diane.

Henry B., who was also called "Harry," perpetuated Montgomery commerce in Decorah. H.B. opened the Motor Supply Company in 1917 and ran it for three years. In 1921, he established a gasoline station on the corner of Water and State Streets. With his wife, Grace, H.B. incorporated Monte Oil Co., in 1925. This company, which included control of the gas station, was sold in 1930.

In 1931, Harry organized the Nehi Bottling Co. In that same year, H.B. purchased the L. Tatro radio business and located it in the building on the southeast corner of Water and Mechanic Streets.

The "L'TATRO" radio operated on 32-volt D.C. current. The farm community was the largest sales market. The demand for a battery operated radio diminished while farmers waited for President Roosevelt's promise of rural electricity. The radio company was discontinued in 1937. Harry, then later his son, Henry, ran the Nehi Bottling Co. until 1964 when it was sold to Mid-Continent Bottlers.

In July, 1966, Harry passed away. At eighty-seven years of age Grace died in February, 1972. Grace contributed to Decorah's society by being a founder of the local Girl Scouts and as an organizer of the community concert series. Harry and Grace instilled the family's legacy of musical skills in their children.

In June 1972, Henry Montgomery sold the Maple Avenue home. Through the efforts of subsequent owners, the house became a popular bed and breakfast inn. For ninety-five years this historical Victorian structure sheltered the Montgomery family. It has earned its name of today -- Montgomery Mansion