Montgomery Furniture Receives Acts of Excellence Award from the South Dakota Hall of Fame
MADISON, SD—On Saturday, July 22, 2023, South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Directors Gerry Likness and Dr. Loren Tschetter presented Montgomery Furniture with an Act of Excellence Award.
Acts of Excellence awards are reserved for those extraordinary individuals and organizations who are serving their communities in meaningful ways. Montgomery Furniture was considered worthy of the prestigious award for its long history of business in South Dakota and its excellent service.
Photo (Left to Right): South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director Gerry Likness, Clark Sinclair, Connie Sinclair, Eric Sinclair, Neala Sinclair, and South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director Dr. Loren Tschetter.
Before there was a state of South Dakota, there was Montgomery Furniture. For 135 years, this company has served South Dakota families. During that time, the same family has owned the business and has been a significant presence in the business community of South Dakota. Such longevity is truly rare and distinctive.
In 1884, George H. Montgomery left Vermont, heeding Horace Greely’s advice: “Go West, young man.” In 1888, one year before South Dakota became a state, Montgomery reached the area of Alexandria, SD where he established a furniture store and funeral home. The business grew and prospered, and in 1902, Montgomery and his brother-in-law, William Ryburn, built a two-story home in downtown Alexandria which housed the store, a bank, a law office, and Masonic Temple. After Montgomery passed, he left the business in the hands of his son, W.R. Montgomery, and his son-in-law, Gilbert Loomer.
A fire in 1964 destroyed the original building, but the family re-built. That same building houses Montgomery Furniture today. Over the years and generations, the business has expanded across the state with locations in Madison, Howard, Arlington, Sioux Falls, and Mitchell–offering furniture, home accessories, and flooring.
Today, Clark Sinclair and his son, Eric Sinclair of Madison, are co-owners. Eric is the fifth generation of the hardy family who arrived in Dakota Territory, settled, put down roots, and stayed.
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An exhibit featuring Montgomery Furniture and their legacy will be on display at the SD Hall of Fame’s Visitor and Education Center in Chamberlain this summer (and throughout the year), along with the other 2023 Act of Excellence recipients.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Laurie Becvar, Ed.D., M.A.
CEO, South Dakota Hall of Fame
The South Dakota Hall of Fame is a 501c3 organization designed to Honor, Inspire, and Educate. The Hall’s mission is to Champion a Culture of Excellence and the SD Hall of Fame lives out its mission through its programming, including the Acts of Excellence Program. This year, 15 organizations/individuals have been chosen for their Acts of Excellence.