BIOGRAPHY - JOHN MONTELIUS, JR.
Among the native sons of Piper City who have made for themselves a creditable name and position in business circles is numbered John A. Montelius, Jr., who was born on the 10th of November, 1874. After mastering the elementary branches of English learning in the public schools he continued his studies for four years under a private tutor and from 1891 until 1893 attended Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, Michigan. In September of the same year he entered the Armour Institute of Chicago, where he spent two years as a student, returning then to Piper City to become a factor in its business life. Here he entered the implement business as a member of the firm of Montelius Brothers, which connection was continued until 1902, when John A. Montelius, Jr., bought his brother's interest and has since continued the business alone under his own name. He carries a large and excellent stock and has built up an excellent trade in this direction. In addition to his mercantile interests he is a stockholder of the Piper City Telephone & Telegraph Company, which he assisted in organizing in 1903. He had been manager for the Paxton Electric Company prior to its reorganization, and continued as manager for two years of the new company. For the past three years he has been secretary of the Illinois State Implement & Vehicle Dealers Association, and is widely known in trade circles as a representative, energetic and enterprising business man.
On the 20th of May, 1900, John A. Montelius, Jr., was married to Miss Emilie F. McKinney, a native of Piper City, and a daughter of John McKinney. They are prominent socially and their own home is very attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Montelius is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics is an independent republican. Fraternally he is connected with Piper City Lodge, No. 608, A. F. & A. M., and the chapter and commandery at Fairbury. He also belongs to Mohammed Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria, to the Eastern Star, to the Odd Fellows society at Piper City and to the Modern Woodmen camp. His ready adaptability, his laudable ambition and strong purpose have made him a force in commercial circles, nor is he unknown in business lines outside of his native city.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 848-849.
