Founded in 1796, Montgomery County, TN., was named after Revolutionary War veteran, John Montgomery. One of the early industries of the county was the mining of saltpeter, a principal ingredient in gunpowder, from local caves. However, before the Civil War, the primary industry was the production of iron. Montgomery County supplied several companies of troops to the Confederacy, and lost many promising citizens in the Civil War. After the war, Montgomery County recovered from Union occupation and experienced economic growth and led the state in education and economic development. This volume includes the county history and biographical section of prominent residents.