Montgomery County Arkansas ...
Montgomery County is located in west central Arkansas. It's bounded on the north by Scott and Yell Counties, on the east by Garland and Hot Spring Counties, to the south by Clark and Howard Counties, and on the west by Polk and Scott Counties.
On December 9, 1842, Governor Yell signed the act of the legislature creating the county. At that time the county seat was in the same location as it is today. It was named Montgomery in honor of General Richard Montgomery, who was born in County Dublin, Ireland on December 2, 1736, and died December 31, 1776. He was distinguished as being the first American General to be killed in the Revolutionary War.
The name of the county seat was changed from Montgomery to Salem in 1850. This name was short lived, as in October of the same year it was again back to Montgomery. Mt. Ida has always been the county seat, although, there was a battle for several years between Mt. Ida and Womble (Norman) over the location of the counthourse. Womble had the largest population and the only railroad in the county, the only library, and the only large employer--the Black Springs Lumber Co.
The name Mount Ida is said to have been chosen by Granville Whittington, who came there in 1835, later being appointed the first postmaster. Whittington is said to have come from Boston, Mass., where he knew and liked a mountain called Mount Ida. The terrain of the Ouachitas is said to have reminded him of that around Boston. Mount Ida was incorporated in December, 1854
Montgomery County is very fortunate in that it's one of the few counties in Arkansas which did not have its courthouse destroyed by fire. All the old records still exist, (except a few which appear to have been pilfered, and some damaged by the elements), and many have been transcribed for genealogical purposes. (See Publications).
General Richard Montgomery
"General Richard Montgomery, born in Ireland on December 2, 1736, became a citizen of New York, and although a trained officer of the English Army, threw in his influence and service in the provincial affairs of America. On the opening of the Revolution he was made a general and ordered to march against Canada. He was successful at Chambley and Montreal, and in sold command of the attack against Quebec. But in his eagerness to be at the head of his men he was mortally wounded. Congress, in 1776, erected a monument to his memory, but the greatest memorial honor is that seventeen states have perpetuated his name by attaching it to as many counties, and almost as many cities."
Source: History of New York State
1523-1927, edited by Dr. James Sullivan c. 1927
"The Revolutionary War service of Gen. Richard Montgomery, killed in the Battle of Quebec, was recognized in the naming of a new county created by the legislature in December of 1842.
Born sometime in the 1730s [1736] in Dublin, Ireland, Montgomery was the son of a member of Parliament and educated in Trinity College. He entered the British Army as an ensign in 1756, and was in combat in America in the French and Indian War. Later he participated in the capture of Havana as a member of a regiment in action in the West Indies.
Montgomery was recognized in England, after he returned there, as a friend of the colonies in America. He left the army, returned to America, and married Janet Livingston, a member of the Livingston family that was influential politically and otherwise. He was given major general's rank in the Continental forces and sent to Canada as second in command to Gen. Philip Schuyler. He succeeded Schuyler as commanding general upon Schuyler's illness, winning favorable attention for his success in building discipline and military skills among his troops.
Montgomery's forces captured British forts on the Richelieu River, captured Montreal, and moved on Quebec in conjunction with an army under Gen. Benedict Arnold. Gen. Montgomery was killed in an enemy artillery attack during the battle."
Source: Arkansas Place Names, by Ernie Deane
Another interesting comment about the name Mount Ida, according to Greek Mythology. The place Mount Ida was the location of the first beauty contest. Contestants were goddesses Aphrodite, Hera and Athena. Mount Ida is mentioned many times in Greek Mythology.