William Watts Montgomery

William Watts Montgomery (November 11, 1827 – January 9, 1897) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1872 to 1873.

Born in Augusta, Georgia,[1] Montgomery attended Georgetown College and the University of Georgia until 1847, and was admitted to the bar on June 13, 1849.[2]

He entered into private practice in Waynesboro, Georgia in partnership with John T. Shewmake. After encountering health problems, he returned to Augusta in 1854. In 1860, he was appointed solicitor-general of the Middle circuit, which included Richmond County, serving until 1866, "when he retired rather than take what was then called the "iron-clad" oath".[2] During this time, as part of this service, he also advised the state governor, and was statutorily the equivalent of Attorney General of Georgia. In 1868 he entered into a partnership with ex-Governor Herschel V. Johnson.[1][2]

In February 1872, Governor James Milton Smith appointed Montgomery to the Supreme Court of Georgia,[2] following the elevation of sitting justice Hiram B. Warner to chief justice.[1] Montgomery served on the court for one year, until February 1873.[3] He then returned to Augusta and entered into a partnership with ex-Judge James S. Hook, which continued until the fall of 1887, "when the latter removed to Atlanta".[2] Montgomery remained in solo practice until his death.

  1. ^ a b c Clan Montgomery Society International, Clan Montgomery Society International News Magazine (1995), p. 28.
  2. ^ a b c d e Frank H. Miller, et al., Georgia Supreme Court, "Memorial of Judge W. W. Montgomery", Reports of Cases Argued and Decided in the Supreme Court of Georgia (1898), p. 795-96.
  3. ^ William Montgomery Clemens, The Montgomery Family Magazine: Genealogical, Historical and Biographical (1917), p. 61-62.