something that should be done, he does it, and his promptness and ability in the discharge of his work have been strong elements in his success. Gradually he has advanced in his business life and now occupies a creditable position among the contractors and builders of Story county.
CYRUS SIMMONS.
Cyrus Simmons was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Story county and for many years was identified with its agricultural interests. Those who yet remember him–and his friends were many–speak of him in terms of high regard and attest the fact that his labors were an element in the substantial improvement and upbuilding of this section. He was born November 3, 1823, in Ohio, a son of Lorenzo and Anna (Taylor) Simmons, whose family included Henry, Amos, Rachel, John, Warren, and Cyrus, who was the third child.
Cyrus Simmons spent his youthful days in Ohio, acquiring his education in such schools as the home neighborhood afforded. When about twenty years of age he accompanied his parents on their westward removal to Adamsville, Michigan, and there he was married in 1853 to Miss Rosetta Corwin, who was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, February 13, 1836, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Hewlitt) Corwin, who removed from New York to Michigan and there spent their remaining days. In their family were eleven children of whom Mrs. Simmons and Stillman Corwin, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, are the only ones now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Simmons began their domestic life in the Wolverine state where they resided until 1855, and then came to Story county, Iowa, making the trip in a wagon. Here Mr. Simmons purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres which he secured at the nominal price of four dollars per acre. It was wild and unimproved land, but with characteristic energy he began to turn the sod and prepare the fields for cultivation. In time planting was done and crops were ultimately gathered. Year by year the work of the farm was carried on until the place was converted into a rich and productive tract of land from which large harvests were annually garnered. After some years Mr. Simmons sold two eighty-acre tracts of his place, leaving to his widow eighty acres which is situated on section 14, Washington township. He also had some timber land. He made substantial improvements upon his farm, including the erection of good buildings, and remained there until his death, which occurred in June, 1878.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simmons there were born three children but two of the number died in infancy. The surviving daughter, Alice, is the wife of Albert Kelly and they reside upon the old Simmons homestead, Mr.