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| JAMES SIMMONS, farmer, sec. 36, Deerfield Tp., was born July 11, 1830, in
Middleton, Norfolk Co., Canada. His parents, David and Sicily (Ronson)
Simmons, were natives of England and came to Canada about the year 1820.
The mother still resides in Canada; the father died Aug. 20, 1861. At the age of 21 years Mr. Simmons commenced his contest with the world, finding employment as a farm laborer until 1860, when he came to Mecosta County and pre-empted 80 acres of the unbroken and uncleared forest land. He built a log house, and with his own hands cut the trees and prepared the soil for tillage. He has now 40 acres under the plow and in good cultivation. He was married at Charlotteville Center, Canada, Sept. 20, 1851, to Catherine, daughter of James and Amy (Ostrander) Buchner. Eight of the eleven children of Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are living: William H., Nancy S., Amy M., Ebenezer, Sarah J., Daniel A., John and Chris. The family includes an adopted son, Wm. H. Griffin. The names of the deceased children were James C., George and Adaline. Mr. S. is a Democrat in politics, and himself and family belong to the United Brethren Church. |