John W. Simon

SIMON, HESKETT, BRAY, SIMMONS, THOMAS

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/24/2011 at 21:38:17

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Volume 2, Excerpt: Page 906 and 907

JOHN W. SIMON

Success has been worthily attained by John W. Simon, of Center township, Clinton county, for he has led an active and useful life along lines that seldom fail to win the goal sought. He was born on July 23. 1869, in this county, and is the son of George and Mary Simon, natives of Lincolnshire, England, where they grew to maturity and were educated. From that country they came to America in 1851, locating in Illinois, where they remained for a few months, then moved to Clinton county, Iowa, and bought a farm near Low Moor, which he sold after a residence of two years and purchased other land nearby. He soon traded this for the farm on which his son, John W. of this review, now resides and there the elder Simon and his wife spent the remainder of their days, the father dying on November 21, 1906, at the age of seventy-eight years, the mother having passed away in 1899, at the age of seventy-one years, and they are both buried at the Elvira cemetery. The first farm which Mr. Simon purchased consisted of eighty acres and to this he added thirty-six acres in section 12, Center township, and he became a well-known farmer and stock man. He fed many cattle for the market, kept his farm well improved and was very successful. He became well known and was highly respected among the early settlers of this county. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church, and they were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in early life; Robert W. also is deceased; those living are Mary, wife of F. Heskett. of Kansas: Lizzie, of Lincoln township, the wife of Robert Bray; Ellen Simon, Bessie Simmons and John Simon.

John Simon, of this review, received a good education, first attending the common schools, then the Clinton Business College, also the normal school at Fulton. He was married on February 14. 1906, to Nettie Thomas, daughter of William and Eliza Thomas, of this county. Her parents were natives of Wales and they came to America in 1870, with their parents, who later located in Clinton county, Iowa, and they were married in 1874. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father has devoted his life to farming and he and his wife are both living. They are the parents of four children. Mrs. Simon was born August 3, 1877.

Mr. and Mrs. Simon began their married life on the farm where they now reside, the old family homestead, which Mr. Simon purchased from his father. It consists of two hundred and forty acres and is one of the most desirable farms in this locality. He has made many improvements and has kept it in first class condition in every respect. He has a cozy and attractive home, carries on general farming and stock raising and feeds a great many cattle, being regarded as one of the leading farmers and stock men in his community. He is a public spirited man. He is well posted on current events and employs all modern methods in farming, being very successful.

The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Simon: Marie Elizabeth, born February 10, 1907; Edith May, born December 4. 1907; Ethel Fay, born the same date, being a twin of Edith May; Robert William, born May 28, 1909.