Elizabeth (Moffitt) Sims
Born: June 30, 1857 Winchester, Randolph Co., Indiana
Died: May 9, 1905 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 189, plot 3
Lot Owner: Simeon S. Sims, purchased in 188
Married: S. William Sims on January 1, 1880, in Marion Co., Iowa
Children: Squire Otis E,1 and Walter
Parents: Seth and Prudence Ann (Edwards) Moffitt
Family Group Sheet: Squire W. and Elizabeth Sims
Obituary: Mrs. S. W. Sims
Mrs. S. W. Sims passed peacefully away to her rest, after a lingering illness, about eight o'clock Tuesday morning, May 9, 1905, at her home 4 miles west of this city. Two years ago last winter Mr. and Mrs. Sims went to California to spend the winter hoping it would be beneficial to her health, which at that time was not good, although it was not considered anything serious.
Mrs. Sims was a true wife and mother, holding her home and family cares close to her heart, she yet found time and was always ready and willing to help and car for those in sorrow and trouble. And whenever one heard her friends and neighbors speak of her illness and suffering, it was always with the greatest pity and love for her and each one told of some kind deed of love she had performed for them.
Mrs. Sims' maiden name was Elizabeth Moffitt. She was born June 30, 1857 near Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana. When seven years of age she came with her parents to Marion County, Iowa. On January 1, 1880, she was united in marriage to Mr. S. W. Sims and since that time her home has been in this county, at the old home where she died.
She leaves besides her husband two sons, Otis the eldest who married and with his family has been making his home with his parents, and Walter, the younger son, a junior in the law department at the State University, but who was with his mother much of the time during the last few weeks of her illness.
The funeral was held at the home yesterday, May 10, the services being conducted by Mr. A. Engle, the interment being in Sugar Grove cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, May 12, 1905.
Lena B. (Scott) Sims
Born: March 28, 1865 in Illinois2
Died: September 7, 1944 in Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa2
Buried: Lot 189, plot 5
Married: Squire William Sims on November 27, 1907 in Jasper Co., Iowa3
Parents: Charles and Tulitha Kennedy Scott2
Mrs. Lena Simms Dies Today
After Lingering Illness
Mrs. Lena B. Simms, widow of S. W. Simms, died at her home, 117 West 11th street South, about 6:30 a.m. today after a lingering illness of almost seven months.
For the past few days, Mrs. Simms was under the care of a special nurse. She was 78 years old. Survivors include four brothers and three sisters. ~ The Newton Daily News, September 7, 1944
1. 1900 U.S.Census, Sherman Twp., Jasper Co., Iowa lists full name
2. Jasper Co., Iowa Death Record, Book 3, page 406
3. Marriage Records, Jasper Co., Iowa Marriage Record, Book 3 1907-1916, page 4 #4432.
Squire William Sims
Born: December 22, 1856 in Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa
Died: April 5, 1928 in Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 189, plot 4
Married: Elizabeth Moffitt on January 1, 1880, in Marion Co., Iowa
Children: Squire Otis E,1 and Walter
Married: Lena Scott on November 27, 1907 in Jasper Co., Iowa3
Parents: Squire S.[Simeon] and Eliza Jane (Christie) Sims
EARLY RESIDENT OF COUNTY DIES SUDDENLY TODAY
S. William Sims Succumbs to Attack of Influenza at
Newton Home.
Was One of First Children Born in County and Lived Practically Entire Life in This Community
William Sims, a life-long resident of Jasper county and one of the first white children born in this community, died at his home at 117 West Eleventh street South this morning. Death came following a week's illness with influenza.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Morgan funeral home and burial will be in the Sugar Grove cemetery. Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church will conduct the rites.
Born in 1856
Squire William Sims was born in Newton, Dec. 22, 1856 and was the son of Squire Shelby Sims and Elza Jane Christy. His father and mother were among the first settlers of Jasper county, opening a government grant of many acres west of Newton. For many years the Sims home was the only one in the western half of the county and at various times pioneers who arrived too late to build were welcomed into the Sims home, where they lived until spring and were able to construct homes of their own.
Reared in an atmosphere of hospitality at a time when the pioneers depended upon each other to guarantee their safety during the lean years on the frontier, Mr. Sims never outgrew the spirit of the early days. He was identified, as was his father, with the early history of the county, and was always raised as one of the substantial farmers of the community.
He was one of a family of seven children, two boys and five girls. His only brother, James Sims, who was a well known Prairie City man, preceded him in death, as did three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Houck of Newton, Mrs. Cornelia Kennedy of near Metz and Mrs. Mary Jane Ramsay of Nebraska. Two sisters survive, Mrs. Elza Moffitt of Nebraska and Mrs. Rebecca Ellen Holliwell of Colfax.
The old homestead near Metz was the home of Mr. Sims until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Moffitt, when he moved to an 80 acre farm adjoining the land of his father. To this marriage two sons were born, Otis E. Sims of Newton, and Walter Sims of Florida, both of whom survive.
Farmed all of Life
Mr. Sims was a farmer during practically all of his life, managing the farm on which he started housekeeping and later purchasing the old homestead from his father. He moved to the homestead and spent the remainder of his life there, with the exception of a few years. He had been living in Newton for the last one and one-half years.
He always took an active interest in the welfare of the community and the nation but did not take an active part in political affairs, although he served for a number of terms as both a school director and school trustee in Sherman township.
In 1905 his first wife died and several years later he was married to Miss Lena B. Scott, of this county who survives him. ~ The Newton Daily News, April 5, 1928.
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Sims Funeral Services Held
Funeral services were conducted at the Morgan funeral home yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock for S. William Sims who died Thursday morning at his home at 117 West Eleventh street South. Death came following a week's illness of influenza.
Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church had charge of the services and burial was in the Sugar Grove cemetery.
Pallbearers were John Hitchler, John Miller, Andrew Pink, Charles Botsford, George Baker and P. A. Pink. Music was furnished by John Hitchler, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Kenner, and Viola Edwards, accompanied on the piano by Leora Emmack.
Among those attending the funeral services from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fitzgerald of Ames, George Halliwell of Mitchellville, C. R. Albee of Jefferson, Ia., and William Whitted of Monroe and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Taylor of Prairie City. ~ The Newton Daily News, April 9, 1928.