Desoto-Marion County FlArchives Biographies.....Simmons, Samuel Joseph 1854 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 13, 2008, 12:14 pm Author: B. F. Johnson (1909) Samuel Joseph Simmons Samuel Joseph Simmons, one of the staunch citizens of South Florida, who by industry, economy and business sagacity has accumulated a handsome fortune and who has been a potent factor in developing his section is a resident of Arcadia, DeSoto county. He has been for many years prominent in the mercantile affairs of the State, and has acquired large interests in real estate and orange grove property to which he devotes a considerable part of his time. He was born in Screven county, Ga., May 25, 1854. His parents were John Simmons, who was a mechanic and cotton planter, and Ann Barbour. His family removed to Florida in 1868, and located in the western portion of what was then Orange county, a wild, undeveloped stretch of territory along the St. Johns river, which was seldom visited except by hunters and trappers. The nearest post office and trading point was sixteen miles distant on the St. Johns river. His grandfather James Simmons, was an Englishman, who came over from London prior to 1800 and settled in South Georgia. Our subject is closely related to Dr. Samuel Simmons, who was a noted physician long located at Orange Springs in Marion county. His wife, Julia Humphries, is a direct descendant of Richard Humphries, who was of a noble Scottish house. Richard came to America during the Revolution and took part in the war. For this he was disowned and disinherited. His only male descendant is Captain J. L. Humphries of Clearwater, Fla. Samuel J. Simmon's educational advantages were confined to the private schools. But endowed with indomitable courage and a will to accomplish things no matter how great the cost, he was not deterred by obstacles from going forward with his undertakings. He was quick to learn of others and to profit by their experiences. Possessed of sound judgment, he became one of the most practical men in his neighborhood, and an authority on subjects connected with the affairs in which he is engaged. He devoted a great deal of his spare time to the study of history and practical questions and the knowledge thus obtained he puts into use in the every day affairs with which he has to contend. He began his business career as a merchant, in a small way, at Citra, Fla., his stock consisting of groceries and general merchandise. Later he moved over on the St. Johns river where he opened up a store on the same line. At this time, before the tread of civilization had scarcely proceeded this far south, and the forests and jungles had been robbed of their game, hunting and trapping alligators and fur-bearing animals along the St. John's river was a profitable business and trading in pelts and furs a source of income to the early settlers who were located along this territory. Here Mr. Simmons did an immense business in hides and furs and laid the foundation for the fortune he has accummulated. In 1900 he removed to DeSoto county, where he again embarked in a general merchandise business. Here he became interested in real estate and acquired considerable city property in Arcadia, and extensive orange groves. He is one of the wealthy men of South Florida and held in the highest esteem by the people of his immediate section. He has always practiced, from principle, methods of scrupulous honesty, giving full weight and measure in all his dealings, never lending himself to any scheme to take advantage of the misfortunes of others. He has always been prompt in the payment of his just debts and while not hard or pressing in his just demands, insisted on a rigid collection of all debts due. He was called upon to represent Arcadia in the City Council and so acceptable were his services that at the expiration of his term he was re-elected for a second term. He is a Democrat and also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity with which he has been affiliated for over twenty years, and for the past eight years has been Secretary or Treasurer of Peace River Lodge No. 66 at Arcadia. He was a leading spirit in, and the most liberal contributor to the building of the Masonic Hall at Arcadia. When the DeSoto National Bank of Arcadia was established in 1907, of which he is a stockholder and director, Mr. Simmons was one of its chief founders and supporters. The bank has a capital of $50,000 and has a splendid patronage among the cattlemen, fruit growers, farmers and merchants of South Florida. Mr. Simmons is a graceful and forceful writer and has written many practical and instructive articles for the press. From 1901 to 1904 he was the regularly accredited correspondent of the Jacksonville Daily Metropolis, and the Tampa Daily Tribune for DeSoto county. His views on practical business and political questions are sound and worthy of consideration. He thinks that every man has a calling; that he should find out the business best suited to him, and after making thorough preparation, begin it and stick to it. He believes that every man in whatever business he may be engaged should put honesty above all other considerations. He thinks that Florida and the nation is puffed up on too much false prosperity and that it would be well to rid the affairs of the country of the "watered stock" and inflated values and get down to a plain matter of fact, "solid rock" basis. He thinks that a system of credits is ruinous and that the business prosperity of the country would be greatly improved if all transactions were conducted for cash. Mr. Simmons was married in 1901 to Julia Humphries, daughter of Rev. J. L. and Valaria (Mavre) Humphries of Monticello, Fla. They have had four children born to them, three of whom are still living, viz: Samuel J., John H. and James P. Simmons. Additional Comments: Extracted from: FLORIDA EDITION MAKERS OF AMERICA AN HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WORK BY AN ABLE CORPS OF WRITERS VOL. III. Published under the patronage of The Florida Historical Society, Jacksonville, Florida ADVISORY BOARD: HON. W. D. BLOXHAM COL. FRANK HARRIS HON. R. W. DAVIS SEN. H. H. McCREARY HON. F. P. FLEMING W. F. STOVALL C. A. CHOATE, SECRETARY 1909 A. B. CALDWELL ATLANTA, GA. COPYRIGHT 1909 B. F. JOHNSON Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/desoto/photos/bios/simmons91gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/desoto/bios/simmons91gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/flfiles/ File size: 6.8 Kb