Blog > Minnie Montgomery: Westmoreland Milliner
Minnie Montgomery: Westmoreland Milliner
In April of 1896, thirty-five-year-old Westmoreland native Minnie Montgomery took out a classified advertisement in the Rome Daily Sentinel announcing a “Grand Millinery Opening” in her Westmoreland “Parlors” and promising to be “prepared to show Trimmed Hats, Bonnets, Toques and Turbans of the latest styles.” [1]
Did Minnie run a shop in Westmoreland, or did she offer hats from her home? Did she create the hats she sold, or did she purchase stock to sell? What prompted Minnie to become a milliner, and how did she train for that profession?
These questions may not be directly answerable since details about Minnie’s millinery career are scant. But it is possible to imagine what her business might have been like. In 1896 there were thirteen retail milliners listed in the Rome city directory—eight women; one man; and four companies. [2] Hats were popular, and millinery work was open to women who needed income. “Grand millinery opening” was commonly used to announce seasonal collections. [3] And showrooms were called “parlors.” [4] Whether Minnie ran a shop or sold from home, her advertisement wording suggests she understood how to present her business competitively. It is unclear whether Minnie crafted hats or purchased stock, but she likely had an eye for fashion and a personality that made other women feel confident and comfortable selecting their hats with her help.
What were those “latest styles” that Minnie offered? A Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen article from the same year offers the visual clues shown in the banner image. [5] Hats from the 1890s were large and fancy! To learn more about hats of the late 1800s and their place in local society, visit Old Fulton NY Post Cards (fultonhistory.com) and search for “hats and (filename contains (roman citizen) and (1896))” (no quotes). One article suggests horsehair was a popular material and explains “young ladies” could “send a bunch of their favorite mount’s hair” and have it “returned woven into a shapely style, with suitable trimmings.” [6] Another suggests “the most fashionable spring hats” were “to be worn well tilted over the forehead.” [7]
While details about Minnie’s career are scant, details of her life survive. Minnie Frances Montgomery was born on 9 July 1860 to Harvey Jones Montgomery and his wife Lucy Jane née Montgomery. [8] Minnie may have had a sibling who died at a young age, but she grew up as an only child. [9] Her father was employed as a clerk in 1865, but by 1870 the Montgomery family had moved from Lowell to Westmoreland village where Harvey worked as a moulder at the Malleable Iron Works. [10]
In 1880, at age nineteen, Minnie was baptized and confirmed at Westmoreland’s Gethsemane Episcopal Church, and in 1896 she became president of the congregation’s newly organized Junior Auxiliary Missionary Society. [11] She was also active in the local chapter of the Independent Order of Good Templars, an organization related to the temperance movement, where she served at various times as guard, treasurer, and deputy marshal. [12]
Minnie appears had close friends and relatives, and she frequently traveled to see them. From short visits to weeks-long trips, there are numerous newspaper mentions of her excursions. For example, in 1900 she spent three weeks visiting relatives in Boston. [13] In 1903 she was “the guest of friends” in Ilion. [14] And in 1913 she spent a “fortnight in Albany and New York.” [15]
In 1897 Minnie’s father died of consumption complicated by “grip” (influenza) more than two months after becoming bedridden. He was sixty-six. [16] Minnie and her mother remained in Westmoreland where Minnie continued her millinery work. In October of 1899 she advertised a fall “opening of millinery goods” held over a Friday and Saturday. [17]
At the end of 1900 she took a clerk position at the J. B. Wells department store in Utica. [18] Minnie either commuted or only lived there a short time because in October of 1905 her paternal uncle, Asa Montgomery, and his wife moved to Westmoreland to live with her, and Asa died at Minnie’s Westmoreland home in March of 1906. [19]
By 1907 Minnie had moved to Utica permanently. She is listed in the city directory as “M. F. Montgomery,” and her entry is one of only a few to include a telephone number. [20] Minnie’s mother visited her there, perhaps for an extended period, but she returned home to Westmoreland in November. [21]
Tragedy struck less than six months later. In April of 1908 Minnie’s mother, who was about seventy-five years old, was killed when she inadvertently stepped in front of an incoming trolley while waiting to board. [22] The following August Minnie “closed out her business” in Westmoreland and took up permanent residence in Utica. [23]
From 1910 to 1914, and perhaps earlier, Minnie lived on Miller Avenue at the same address as Regina Echter, a German-born widow who had immigrated in 1873, and her daughter Angeline, who was in her early twenties. [24] The two households may have shared a duplex. By 1918 Minnie had settled into a multi-family building at 1204 State Street where she would spend the rest of her life. [25] In 1930, just before her seventieth birthday, Minnie still lived in her State Street apartment, paying thirty dollars a month for the privilege, and she still worked as a “saleslady” in “millinery” perhaps in a private shop or department store. [26]
Minnie died on 22 September 1930 at Utica Memorial Hospital at age seventy and was buried next to her parents in Westmoreland Union Cemetery. [27]
References
Note: All websites were active on 8 March 2025. The referenced census images are available on both FamilySearch and Ancestry. To save space, Old Fulton NY Post Cards has been shortened to Old Fulton.
1. “Grand Millinery Opening,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 16 April 1896, p. 2, col. 8; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1895 Aug-Apr 1896 - 0829.pdf" (no quotes).
2. Rome City Directory (Utica, New York: Utica Directory Publishing Co, 1895), 259-260; digital images, "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/).
3. To see examples of how the phrase "grand millinery opening" was used, search "grand millinery opening and (filename contains (rome))” (no quotes) at Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com).
4. See the notice beginning "The Ladies of Rome," Rome Daily Sentinel, 5 October 1905, p. 2, col. 5; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1905 - 0578.pdf" (no quotes).
5. “Summer Headwear: Novel Creations for the Merry Summer Girl; There Are Hats and Hats—A Design from Nature—A Sweet Thing in White and Mauve—A Beautiful Paris Confection,” Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen, 19 Jun 1896, p. 7, col. 1; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Roman Citizen 1895 - 1896 Grayscale - 0481.pdf" (no quotes).
6. “Summer Trimmings: Novel Creations for the Merry Summer Girl,” Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen, 19 June 1896, p. 7, col. 1; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Roman Citizen 1895 - 1896 Grayscale - 0481.pdf" (no quotes).
7. "The Fashions,” Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen, 10 April 1896, p. 7, col. 2; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Roman Citizen 1895 - 1896 Grayscale - 0314.pdf" (no quotes).
8. “Miss Minnie F. Montgomery Passes at Utica Hospital,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 23 September 1930, p. 2, col. 4; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1930 Jul-Sep - 1159.pdf" (no quotes). For Minnie's middle name, see 1865 New York State, Oneida County, New York, population schedule, Westmoreland, North Part of Town, p. 14 (penned), dwelling 106, family 103, Harvey Montgomery household.
9. In 1900 Minnie’s mother was reported to be the mother of two children, one living. See 1900 U. S. census, Oneida County, New York, population schedule, Westmoreland, Enumeration District (ED) 98, sheet 4A, dwelling 79, family 86, Jane Montgomery household.
10. 1865 New York State census, Oneida County, New York, population schedule, Westmoreland, North Part of Town, p. 14 (penned), dwelling 106, family 103, Harvey Montgomery household. "Westmoreland," Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen, 29 Jun 1897, p. 8, col. 1; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Roman Citizen 1897 - 1898 Grayscale - 0144.pdf" (no quotes).
11. Westmoreland, New York, Gethsemane Church, Parish Register No. 1, Baptisms, p. 112, 1 February 1880 entry for Minnie Montgomery, and Confirmations, p. 176, 1 February 1880 entry for Minnie Montgomery; digital images, “New York, Episcopal Diocese of Central New York Church Records, 1800-1970,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61653) > Westmoreland > Gethsemane Church > images 78 and 96. “Westmoreland,” Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen, 23 October 1896, p. 8. col. 2; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Roman Citizen 1896 - 1897 Grayscale - 0204.pdf" (no quotes).
12. "Westmoreland," 21 Jan 1890, p. 3, col. 6; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome Ny Daily Sentinel 1889 a - 0107.pdf" (no quotes). “Westmoreland," Rome Daily Sentinel, 1 Nov 1893, p. 2, col. 6; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1893 - 1046.pdf" (no quotes). “Westmoreland," 8 Feb 1894, p. 4, col. 6; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1894 - 1149.pdf" (no quotes). For an idea of what the Good Templar meetings were like, see Ritual for Subordinate Lodges of the Independent Order of Good Templars (n.p.: International Supreme Lodge, 1894); digital images, Google Books (https://www.google.com/books/edition/ Ritual_for _Subordinate_Lodges_of_the_Ind/93rmAAAAMAAJ).
13. Westmoreland," Utica Herald-Dispatch, 3 July 1900, p. 7, col. 2; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Utica NY Herald Dispatch 1900 - 0781.PDF" (no quotes). “Westmoreland," Rome Daily Sentinel, 26 June 1900, p. 3, col. 2; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1900 - 0995.pdf" (no quotes).
14. “Ilion,” Utica Herald-Dispatch, 18 September 1903, p. 5, col. 1; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Utica NY Herald Dispatch 1903 - 1880.pdf" (no quotes).
15. “Personals,” Utica Saturday Globe, 22 February 1913, p. 12, col. 5; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Utica NY Saturday Globe 1911-1913 - 1017.pdf" (no quotes).
16. "Westmoreland," Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen, 29 Jun 1897, p. 8, col. 1; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Roman Citizen 1897 - 1898 Grayscale - 0144.pdf" (no quotes).
17. “Westmoreland," Rome Citizen, 20 Oct 1899, p. 8, col. 4; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Roman Citizen 1899 - 1900 Grayscale - 0202.pdf" (no quotes).
18. “Westmoreland,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 6 December 1900, p. 1, col. 2; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1900 - 1881.pdf" (no quotes).
19. “Stanwix Subjects,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 12 October 1905, p. 4, col. 3; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1905 - 0626.pdf" (no quotes).
“March 31, 1906,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 31 March 1906, p. 5, col. 3; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1936 - 1125.pdf" (no quotes).
20. Steber Directory of Utica Oneida County, New York State 1907 (Utica, New York: Utica Directory Publishing Co, 1907), 579; digital image, “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/).
21. “Westmoreland,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 6 November 1907, p. 4, col. 4; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1907 - 1985.pdf" (no quotes).
22. “Killed By Trolley Car: Fatal Accident to Mrs. Harvey Montgomery of Westmoreland,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 22 April 1908, p. 5, col. 1; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1908 - 0772.pdf" (no quotes).
23. “Westmoreland,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 22 April 1908, p. 5, col. 1; digital image, Old Fulton (fultonhistory.com), search for "Rome NY Daily Sentinel 1930 Jul-Sep - 1178.pdf" (no quotes).
24. Steber Directory of Utica, Oneida County, New York State, 1911 (Utica, New York: Utica Directory Publishing Co, 1911), 585; digital image, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/). The entry reads “Emma F., mlnr, b 9 Miller” but it almost certainly refers to Minnie. There is no good match for Emma in the 1900 census. Steber Directory of Utica, Oneida County, New York State, 1914 (Utica, New York: Utica Directory Publishing Co, 1914), 684; digital image, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/).
25. Steber Directory of Utica, Oneida County, New York State, 1918 (Utica, New York: Utica Directory Publishing Co, 1918), 626; digital image, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/). Minnie is at the same address in subsequent city directories, and in the 1930 census.
26. 1930 U. S. census, Oneida County, New York, population schedule, Utica, Enumeration District (ED) 33-120, Sheet 5B, dwelling 93, family 137, Minnie F. Montgomery household.
27. “Miss Minnie F. Montgomery Passes at Utica Hospital,” Rome Daily Sentinel, 23 September 1930, p. 2, col. 4. Find a Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com), memorial 46812307, Minnie F. Montgomery (1960-1930), Westmoreland Union Cemetery, Westmoreland, Oneida County, New York; gravestone photograph by Andrew L.
Posted 9 March 2025