Merced County CA Archives Biographies.....Simonson, John H. 1850 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 4, 2006, 11:34 pm

Author: John Outcalt (1925)

JOHN H. SIMONSON

   In political and financial circles in Merced County, John H. Simonson has
wielded a wide influence for many years and as a public-spirited and
broad-minded citizen has helped to make it the Merced County of today. He was
born near Hamburg, Germany, on November 6, 1850, the son of Jasper and Anna
Maria (Clausen) Simonson. Jasper Simonson was a cabinet-maker and he immigrated
to America in 1857. Purchasing land in Minnesota, near Ulen, he farmed one year,
then he moved into Marine Mills, Minn., and followed his trade until his death.
This worthy couple had six children, John H. being the youngest.

   Obtaining his early education in the public schools of Marine Mills, Minn.,
John H. Simonson became a wage-earner at the age of thirteen, becoming a clerk
in a general store; he was promoted to be bookkeeper and remained with the same
firm until 1876. The fall of that year he came to Merced and accepted a position
with the house of Simon, Jacobs & Company, and here he continued as bookkeeper
two and one-half years. He was asked to become the nominee on the Republican
ticket for county clerk, was elected and served from March, 1880, until January,
1883, the term having been extended by legislative action. Mr. Simonson was
reelected twice, serving until January, 1887, to the satisfaction of nearly
everybody. He then engaged in the real estate and abstract business, compiling a
complete set of abstract books. In 1890 he was nominated on the Republican
ticket for county assessor and, being elected, served for four years, and was
reelected for a second term, serving until January, 1899. He refused to again
become a candidate and returned to his former business and as the senior partner
in the firm of Simonson-Harrell Abstract Company carries on a thriving business
in real estate and abstracting, handling both city and country properties. He is
also a live-wire insurance agent and broker.

   John H. Simonson was united in marriage in Merced, to Miss Jessie B.
Stoddard, who was born in Calaveras County, a daughter of that early settler, E.
M. Stoddard. They have a son, Stanley S. Simonson, who is in business with his
father. There is one grandchild, Stanley S. Jr., to brighten the Simonson home
circle.

   Mr. Simonson is prominent in fraternal circles and is a member of the various
Masonic bodies. He was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge No. 1, A. F. & A. M. at
Stillwater, Minn., and after being a member for fifty years, demitted to
Yosemite Lodge No. 99; he demitted to Merced Chapter No. 12, R. A. M., in which
he is a Past High Priest; he belongs to Fresno Commandery No. 29, K. T.; and to
Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. in San Franscico. He is a member and a Past
Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He has always been a stanch Republican and
has served on the county central committee for many years. As one of the
best-known and among the most active citizens of the county John H. Simonson
holds a recognized position here and throughout the San Joaquin Valley.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925


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