Simons, David N.

SIMONS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/2/2021 at 20:48:19

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.852

DAVID N. SIMONS
David N. Simons, a representative farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 33, Lincoln Township, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1843, the son of Erastus and Amanda (Hun) Simons. The father was a native of Massachusetts and the mother anative of Connecticut. They were married in New York state and settled on a farm in Mercer County, Pennsyl­vania. Later they removed to Williams County, Ohio, and from there they went to Benton County, Iowa, in 1854. In 1858 they moved to Kansas, remaining there but one year, when they returned to Lucas County, Iowa. During the Civil War they removed from Lucas County to Warren County, settling near the village of Summerset.
David Simons was but eleven years of age when his parents removed to Iowa, and here he was reared, his education and experiences being gained among the scenes and environments of pioneer life. When but a youth of nineteen he enlisted, on August 8, 1862 in Company K, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was sent south, where it participated in the Vicksburg campaign and was in the midst of numerous skirmishes, among which may be mentioned that of Fort Hindman, Chickasaw Bluff and Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, both of which forts were captured. He was also in an engagement at Fort Blakeley and was ill in the hospital at Benton Barracks for about six weeks. He was honorably discharged at Davenport in October 1865, having previously been mustered out of service at Houston, Texas, and given thirty days in which to reach Davenport. He then returned to his father's home, near Summerset, and aided in the conduct of the farm, for a couple of years, after which he worked as a farm hand and in 1867 accepted a position in the brickyards at Indianola.
In 1868 occurred the marriage of David Simons and Miss Amy Deets, a native of Preston County, Virginia, who was, however, reared in Iowa. Unto this union were born three children, of whom the eldest, Julia Viola, died at the age of fifteen years. A son, W. A., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, is married and living on his father's farm. Daisy L. is the wife of John Marshall, a stock-dealer, also residing on the home farm.
Following this marriage David Simons settled on a twenty-acre farm of his own, which he improved and cultivated to the best possible advantage. As he prospered he gradually bought more land from time to time until he now owns and operates a neat and well improved farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres, with three sets of buildings upon it, which adds very materially to the wealth and prosperity of the community. He has resided on his present place since 1882. In connection with his farming Mr. Simons has given much attention to stock raising, in which work he has been signally successful, his specialties being hogs and horses.
Having lost his first wife, Mr. Simons was married in May, 1886, to Miss Sarah M. Burnett, a daughter of Robert B. and Lydia A. (Stonebraker) Bur­nett. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, and her mother in Ohio in 1823. In early life Mr. Burnett followed the blacksmith trade but later turned his attention to farming. It was during the Civil War, in 1864, that he removed to Iowa. Mrs. Simons was born near Galesburg, Illinois, January 19. 1858. but was principally reared in this county, attending the country schools and the academy at Ackworth, Iowa. Prior to her marriage she en­gaged in teaching in the country school for ten years.
In politics Mr. Simons is a staunch Republican, having cast his first vote, for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, since which time he has never missed supporting the Republican nominee for president. Though he takes an active interest in the questions and issues of the day, Mr. Simons has neither sought nor de­sired a public office for himself. He is one of the trustees and steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Summerset, of which himself, wife and daugh­ter are all members, Mrs. Simons having formerly been an active worker in the Sunday school there. Mr. Simons is widely known throughout this section of the state, having resided here for something over fifty-four years. He is a man of recognized ability and the success that he has achieved in life is due to his own perseverance, industry and sound judgment.