Blacks@Dartmouth 1775 to 1960

Wilder Percival Montgomery died at his home, 1316 Riggs St., N. W., Washington, D. C, on August 22, after a two weeks' illness from kidney trouble. He had previously been in his usual good health, and his death came as a shock to his many friends. "Monty," as we always called him, was born in Columbia, S. C, May 26, 1884, the son of Winfield Scott (Dartmouth '78) and Emma Rosa (Wilder) Montgomery, but lived nearly all of his life in Washington. He prepared for college at Phillips Andover Academy. Modest almost to shyness, he led a studious, retired life in college, but everyone knew and respected him for his keen intellect and gentlemanly manners. He took the pre-medical course in order the better to fit himself for his lifework in the teaching of biology.

After graduation he taught for a short time in the Baltimore Public Schools, then went to the Dunbar High School in Washington, where he served most ably as instructor in biology for twenty-five years. He gave himself heart and soul to his work, believing keenly in education as the greatest hope for the betterment of his race. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Board of Admissions of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia for Divisions 10 to 13.

During and after the World War he served as a consultant on the rehabilitation of the wounded, under the direction of Dr. Baldwin, at Walter Reed General Hospital, and he gave a similar service at the Base Hospital, Port McHenry, Baltimore. Last June Monty came back to our twenty-fifth reunion and saw his classmates for the first time since graduation. His older son was being graduated with honors, and as Monty assured us again and again, it was the proudest moment of his life. Those of the class who attended the 06 dinner will long remember the sincere emotion of his brief speech on that occasion. After his return home, he wrote his class secretary feelingly of the joy he had experienced in meeting old friends once more, and of the 'many lingering memories' he had taken away. We shall all miss him at the next reunion.

He was married at Washington, July 22, 1903, to Ethel Mineola Pearson of Columbia, S. C.| who survives him, with their three children: Rosa Pearson, who is a teacher in Washington; Wilder Percival, Jr. (Dartmouth '31), now a second-year student in the Dartmouth Medical School; and James Henry, aged eight.