James Boyce Montgomery, husband of Mary Ann Phelps Montgomery, they met and married in Missouri where her father, a well schooled lawyer, fought as a northern officer during the Civil War; owned a large plantation that used a slave workforce before the Civil War; worked at both federal and state elected positions. His father-in-law was Senator from Missouri before the Civil War; Governor of Missouri after the Civil War. Mary gave birth to several of her children in the Governors House and filled in as First Lady, in her mother's place, when the need arose. Her dear mother had had a debilitating accident when she, with her husband, visited her daughter who was then living on the Washington coast near where her husband was working on a railroad project. She fell through an open hatch of a sailing ship and never fully recovered.

James was born at Montgomery's Ferry on the Susquehanna River about 25 miles north of Harrisburg, Perry County, Pennsylvania. His parents were William and Elisa Montgomery both of fine American stock. Together they found great success in this life and believed that a good education was necessary for their children's future growth.

James Boyce Montgomery became a well known railroad contractor for many railroads both back east and out west (Northern Pacific Railroad). He contracted many difficult engineering projects including dredging on the Columbia and other rivers and harbors to enable safe passage for ships and river boats. Also the building of bridges and laying of new track. He was known for overcoming many difficult engineering challenges.

His specialty was getting the difficult construction jobs done on time. This ability brought him much notoriety and requests to do the hardest projects.

James and his wife fell in love with Portland, Oregon on their first visit and the family later built deep roots in this young town. It was here that they applied their leadership ability in it's direction and social, educational and political development.

At a later time while living in Portland, he became so very heavily invested in land in Washington Territory that he ran into money problems. He was not able to find buyers fast enough to meet all his obligations and requested that his family come home from their lavish spending during a long European vacation. Also, requested that private university and college expenses be stopped and their children return home. They were by no means poor just financially over extended at the time.

Mary Ann was a fountain of strength in both public and private life. Always the patriot for good in all public life and where ever she happened be be in her wide travels back and forth across these United States and Washington, D.C..