SIMMONS, John - 1890 Bio (1828-1895)

SIMMONS, NUISBAUM, GOOD, ROBERTS, HILL, HENDERSON, VAUGHN, BARNETT

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/25/2007 at 20:39:37

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 207-208

John SIMMONS, residing on section 35, Locust Grove Township, is a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson County and one of the pioneers of 1844. He was born in Maryland in 1828, and is a son of Joel and Catherine (NUISBAUM) SIMMONS, who were also natives of Maryland, the former of English and the latter of German descent. Both his paternal and maternal grandfathers were born in a foreign country, and for their transportation to America worked for seven years. Joel SIMMONS emigrated from his native State to Pennsylvania in an early day, where he carried on farming although he was a millwright by trade. He lived to the advanced age of ninety years, and spent his last days in the Keystone State. His wife died at about the age of sixty years. Their son, whose name heads this sketch, was educated in the schools of Pennsylvania, and on attaining to mature years, in 1853, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary GOOD. The lady of his choice was also a native of the Keystone State, as were her parents, Samuel and Nancy (ROBERTS) GOOD. They became residents of Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1846, settling in Des Moines Township, where Mr. GOOD carried on farming until 1850, when, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific Coast, he made an overland trip to California. Twenty-two years he spent in that State, returning to Jefferson County in 1872. His death occurred in Gage County, Neb., in 1887. His wife, who was a most estimable lady, died in 1852, during their residence in this county. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. SIMMONS, Levi and Elizabeth ROBERTS, are also numbered among the pioneer settlers of Jefferson County, where they located in 1846. They afterward returned to Pennsylvania, however, where both long since passed away. Her great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier.

Mr. and Mrs. SIMMONS entered upon life's journey together in Pennsylvania, where he followed farming for some years. As before stated, he arrived in Iowa in the spring of 1844, and, with the hope of making a comfortable home for himself and family, he entered forty acres of land, which he improved. Afterward, however, he disposed of that property and purchased eighty acres of timber land, which, when under a high state of cultivation he increased until there is now within the boundaries of his farm one hundred and fourteen acres of well-cultivated soil. He keeps on hand a good grade of stock, the latest improved machinery and his barns and outbuildings are all that are necessary to a model farm of the nineteenth century.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. SIMMONS were born thirteen children -- Benjamin, the eldest, is married and carries on farming in Wayne County, Iowa; Cornelius, a widower, resides at home; Jerry is still living on the old homestead; George is married and resides in Liberty Township; Thaddeus is married and makes his home in South Dakota; Samuel, a widower, is located in Keokuk County, Iowa; John is married and resides in Fairfield; Phœbe is now Mrs. HILL, of Wyoming; Elsie is now Mrs. HENDERSON, of Hebron, Neb.; Mary is now Mrs. VAUGHN, of Galesburg, Ill.; Sarah is now Mrs. BARNETT, of Farifield; Jane died at the age of eighteen years; and another child died in infancy.

In political sentiment Mr. SIMMONS is independent, voting for the man and not the party. He supports those measures which he thinks will benefit the greatest number of people, regardless of the threats or persuations of those who wish his support. While residing in Des Moines Township he served as Road Supervisor, and in this township was a member of the School Board, in which office he did not a little for the cause of education, in which he feels a special interest. Few have so long been residents of this community, and as an honored pioneer, a representative farmer and worthy citizen, he deserves representation in this volume.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.