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William Leroy S Simmons

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William Leroy S Simmons

Birth	:	10 Jan 1822 Clermont County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	5 Jul 1900 Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.0138600, -91.9562100
Plot	:	2nd.121
Description	:	Husband of Sarah Weaver Simmons. ----------- Obituary: Fairfield Weekly Journal Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa Wednesday July 11, 1900 Pg. 6 col. 2 Death of W. L. S. Simmons. Another one of the old settlers of Jefferson county has passed away and is now numbered among those who have gone before to await our coming and who will welcome us when God shall take us home. The death of W. L. S. Simmons occurred yesterday morning (sic. July 5, 1900; this account published on July 11th) at his home on West Broadway from a general breaking down caused by old age. He was one of the old settlers of... Read More	Husband of Sarah Weaver Simmons. ----------- Obituary: Fairfield Weekly Journal Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa Wednesday July 11, 1900 Pg. 6 col. 2 Death of W. L. S. Simmons. Another one of the old settlers of Jefferson county has passed away and is now numbered among those who have gone before to await our coming and who will welcome us when God shall take us home. The death of W. L. S. Simmons occurred yesterday morning (sic. July 5, 1900; this account published on July 11th) at his home on West Broadway from a general breaking down caused by old age. He was one of the old settlers of this county, having moved here in the spring of 1853, and during the time of his residence here has been one of the men whom the county desired to honor in any way it could. His life was spent in working at his trade, he being a bricklayer and plasterer. For over fifty years he has been a member of the Methodist church and has always been a faithful member of that church, and was one of its lead leaders in every movement which would advance the interest of the church. He had a large circle of friends and there was not a person who knew him but loved and respected him. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, January 10, 1832 (sic. 1822). When only six years old his father died and he went to live with his grandfather. While working on the river he had a chance to come here, and in the early forties he came to this place and when Des Moines was only a fort on the frontier he was employed by the government to build chimneys on the soldier's cabins. August 3, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Weaver, and to them were born seven children, three of whom died in infancy, the other four being E. F. Simmons of this city, C. V. Simmons of Arvada, Col., Misses Nannie (sic. Nancy) and Sallie Simmons of Fairfild. He and his wife moved to this county in the spring of 1853, and have made their home in it ever since, except two years when they were in Ohio. This county honored him as one of its foremoest citizens by electing him as a representative to the legislature in 1875, and he filled that office with great credit to himself and to the county which elected him. His funeral was held this afternoon from his late residence, it being conducted by Rev. I.O. Kemble, pastor of the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. J. B. Hill of Agency who was an old friend of his. His death will be generally mourned throughout the community and his many friends will greatly mourn his loss and will sympathize with his family in this their hour of sorrow. ----------- Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 347-348 Hon. William Leroy S. SIMMONS, who is extensively engaged in stock-raising on section 12, Locust Grove Township, Jefferson County, first set foot on Iowa soil in 1842, at which time he made a settlement in the township of which he is now a resident. However, he did not make a permanent location until 1853. A native of Clermont County, Ohio, he was born in 1822, the fourth child in a family of five children that graced the union of Adam and Sarah (HITCH) SIMMONS. Throughout his entire life Adam SIMMONS followed farming, and in Ohio his death occurred in 1828. His wife long survived him, dying in 1875. They were pioneers of the Buckeye State, and lived upright lives which won them the respect of the entire community. W. L. S. SIMMONS was but six years of age when his father died. He continued to make his home upon the farm, but in his youth learned the brick-mason's trade, which he followed during his residence in Ohio, and for a short time after coming to Jefferson County. With a desire to benefit his financial condition and to provide for himself a home, he came West. In 1843 he pre-empted eighty acres of land on section 3, Locust Grove Township, and began developing a farm, but afterward traded that for a sixty-acre tract on section 12. With land upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, he found that he had no easy task before him, but of a determined nature and possessing unremitting industry, he would not be deterred from his purpose, but overcame the obstacles in his path and worked his way upward to a position of affluence. Returning to his native county in 1852, Mr. SIMMONS was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah WEAVER, who was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (ROBINSON) WEAVER. Her parents were natives of Virginia, but at an early day emigrated to Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. WEAVER was called to his final rest in 1863, having survived his wife several years. In true pioneer style, on a farm but little improved, Mr. and Mrs. SIMMONS began their domestic life, and by their united efforts have secured a comfortable home, in which may be found not only the necessities, but many of the luxuries known to this age. Their union was blessed with seven children, but only four of the number are now living: Eben Frank, the eldest, is an attorney-at-law of Fairfield, Iowa; Charles Walter acquired his literary education in the schools of Mt. Pleasant, being graduated from the academy of that place, and then began fitting himself for labor in foreign missionary fields. He was graduated from the Garrett Biblical Institute, of Evanston, Ill., in 1888, and the same year married Miss Luella BARTLETT, of Mt. Pleasant, and started for India, where he has since been engaged in missionary labor, being sent to that field by the Methodist Church. Owing to failing health he returned to Iowa, and is now at home. Sarah Belle and Nancy Wright, the two daughters of the family, are still with their parents. Mr. SIMMONS may truly be called a self-made man. The farm which he now owns and operates embraces two hundred and twenty-seven acres, all under a good state of cultivation, and he also has considerable money invested in fine stock. He is making a specialty of the breeding of full-blooded Short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs, and has done not a little for the advancement of the grade of stock in the county. In other ways he has also been identified with the county's interests. Every enterprise of merit finds in him a supporter; he is a friend to all social, educational and moral interests, and is a generous contributor of charitable and benevolent work. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Brookville, and their upright lives, which are in harmony with their professions, win for them the confidnce and regard of the community. Mr. SIMMONS has served on the School Board, has been Township Clerk, and in 1876 ably represented his district in the Iowa Legislature. Socially, he is a member of Abingdon Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & A. M. As an early settler of the county he bore all the hardships and trials of pioneer life, but may well feel honored that he had a part to perform in the work of progress and development which places Jefferson County in its present exalted position of to-day. When he settled in this community Fairfield was only a small trading post, and Keokuk and Burlington were the nearest markets. Wild game, which was then very plentiful. furnished many a meal for the settlers. The Indians were still frequent visitors, and much of the land was was (sic) still unclaimed. The traveler of to-day can scarcely realize that in less than half a century all this change has been brought about, and the pioneers, who wrought the transformation, certainly deserve unlimited commendation. In early life Mr. SIMMONS was a Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party he joined it, and has since been a supporter of its principles.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Leroy S Simmons's memorial?
William Leroy S Simmons's memorial is located at: Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA.
When did William Leroy S Simmons death?
William Leroy S Simmons death on 5 Jul 1900 in Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Leroy S Simmons's memorial?
Latitude: 41.0138600
Longitude: -91.9562100

Family Members:

Spouse

Sarah Weaver Simmons

(1824 - 1903)

Children

Samuel A Simmons

(1853 - 1854)

Ebenezer Frank “Eben” Simmons

(1855 - 1927)

William W Simmons

(1862 - 1866)

Nancy W Simmons

(1867 - 1935)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Evergreen Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0138600, -91.9562100

2. Old Fairfield Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0148000, -91.9598000

3. Memorial Lawn Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0068000, -91.9805000

4. Switzer Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0368996, -91.9096985

5. Bradshaw Cemetery
Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9766998, -91.9032974

6. Roth Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9589005, -91.9574966

7. Bethesda Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0019000, -91.8796000

8. Smith Family Cemetery
Libertyville, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9972416, -92.0362857

9. Wheeler Cemetery
Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0797000, -91.9185500

10. Galliher Cemetery
Glasgow, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9666892, -91.8835038

11. Upper Richwoods Cemetery
Salina, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0602989, -91.8807983

12. Jefferson County Poor Farm Cemetery
Libertyville, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9416900, -91.9996200

13. Perlee Cemetery
Perlee, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0805750, -91.8993380

14. Pattison Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9444008, -91.9049988

15. Moorman Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0452995, -92.0622025

16. Wright Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9524000, -91.8728000

17. Antioch Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1002998, -91.9147034

18. Moyer Cemetery
Fairfield, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1046982, -91.9330978

19. Cumberland Cemetery
Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9248000, -91.9903000

20. Gregg Cemetery
Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0078011, -92.0811005

21. Salina Cemetery
Salina, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0419006, -91.8330994

22. McCleary Cemetery
Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9892006, -92.0805969

23. Brooks Cemetery
Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0635986, -92.0693970

24. Thompson Cemetery
Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9155998, -91.9772034