Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Portrait and biographical album of Mecosta County, Mich. containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Michigan and of the presidents of the United States: also containing a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time. Published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1883 Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott April 4, 2011 ====================================================================== Page 486 & 489 MONTONYE, William P. ====================================================================== William P. Montonye, one of the earliest comers to Big Rapids, is a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Shafer) Montonye, and was born Dec. 7, 1835, at Forty Fort, Luzerne Co., Pa. At 15 he left home and proceeded up the west branch of the Susquehanna River to Lock Haven, where he passed three years in the occupation of lumberman, when he arranged to perfect himself in the details of the carpenter's trade, and spent two and a half years in the prosecution of this calling. In the spring of 1858 he came to Big Rapids. While en route he reached Grand Rapids and paid three dollars to be conveyed to this place. He was accompanied by other travelers of similar destination; and soon after leaving Grand Rapids he and one of his companions became disgusted with their tardy progress, and made their way on foot, outstripping the stage by several hours. At that date there were but two residences on the west side of the river. He worked as a carpenter at Big Rapids and bought of Zera French a block in the Third Ward; also some lots in the First Ward, and continued to work at this trade until the advent of the civil war. Yielding to the influence which swayed the entire North, Mr. Montonye enlisted, Feb. 22, 1862, in Co. E, Third Mich. Cav., Capt. Lattimer. His regiment was attached to the Western army, and he was in active service at the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth (first and second), and was taken prisoner at Rocky Ford, Miss. He was sent to Mobile, and successively to Richmond, Andersonville and Savannah. He spent eleven months in captivity, undergoing all the horrors whose unparalleled activity stand out in bold relief on the events of modern warfare. At the expiration of that period he was exchanged, and in June, 1865, he was discharged from service, at Baton Rouge, La. On his return to Big Rapids he embarked in mercantille traffic, in company with Charles Shafer. Their store was located on part of the site of the Furniture block, and the business relation existed three years, when Mr. Montonye sold his interest and built a livery stable on Michigan avenue, in company with George B. Jones. Two years later he sold to his partner, and since that time has been operating in scaling logs for various lumber firms. Mr. Montonye resides in the Fourth Ward, on Woodward avenue. He owns 15 acres of land in that precinct, and two city lots and barn on Maple street, rented and occupied by an omnibus line, and also owns the dry- goods store on Michigan avenue, tenanted by S. Wildberg. He was married at Grand Rapids, to Amanda Eggleston, a native of Connecticut. She died at Evart, Osceola Co., and Mr. Montonye was again married at Big Springs, Ottawa Co., in January, 1883, to Mrs. Lydia Demond. He belongs to the Order of Masonry, and during the first year of his residence here was elected Constable, holding the office one year. ======================================================================