After 14 year's service in the Crookston land office, Frank Montague, the chief clerk, has been transfered to the Cass Lake land office, the change to become effective on the 1st of September.

Mr. Montague has made a splendid record. He started in as a clerk in the Crookston land office in 1896 during the regime of Messrs. Anglim and Dunlava, who were the officials at that time, and drew a salary of $50 per month. Later the position came under the city service rules and his salary was increased to $75, then to $100, and later to $110, a salary which is received by but very few land office clerks anywhere in the United States.

Mr. Montague is regarded as one of the most efficient clerks in the service anywhere in the United States today, as his salary indicates. The work in the local land office has always been kept right up to date and it is because of the fact that the work is strictly up to date here, and is gradually growing less, coupled with the fact that the Cass Lake office is behind, that the transfer was made.

On the first of the month Mr. Montague will go to Cass Lake for a while at least. If he does not like the place or the situation he will resign and return to Crookston, and in the meantime his family will remain here.

Intimate friends states that Mr. Montague has made good use of his time and has saved a good competence, making some very good and safe investments, and could, if he wanted to, produce from $8,000 to $10,000 in cash on very short notice. He has also received some very good offers to represent eastern financial concerns here, and because of his intimate knowledge with the land values throughout this entire district, would make a most valuable man.

Therefore, if he is not satisfied fully with his new position, there is little question but that he will return to Crookston and engage in business for himself, and he has a host of friends who want to see him in Crookston again.

Source: Crookston times, August 28, 1909
Submitter: Brenda G. -- Added Sept 16, 2002
Updated April 20, 2015, K. Kittleson