The New International Encyclopædia/Montgomery, John Berrien

MONTGOMERY, John Berrien (1794-1873). An American naval officer, born in Allentown, N. J. He entered the Navy as a midshipman in 1812; served in the attack on Kingston, Canada, in November of the same year, and in the capture of York in April of the following year; and for gallantly on board the Niagara in Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, received a vote of thanks and a sword from Congress. In 1815 he served in Decatur's squadron in the war with Algiers, was made a lieutenant in 1818, and commander in 1839. During the Mexican War, in command of the sloop Portsmouth, he took possession of various places on the coast of California, blockaded Mazatlan for some months, and, with the assistance of Captain Lavalette in the Congress, captured Guaymas. He was made a captain in 1853, commanded the Pacific Squadron in 1860-61, was advanced to the rank of commodore (retired list) in 1862, and became a rear-admiral in 1866.