Newton County GaArchives Obituaries.....Simms, Hon. A. B.  June 6 1887
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The Georgia Enterprise,  June 10, 1887
HON. A. B. SIMMS IS DEAD
A Patriotic, Useful, Benevolent and Honest Man Called to his Home in the Skies.
  Hon. ARTHUR BENJAMIN SIMMS died at his residence in this city on Monday 
afternoon last, at 6 o'clock and 30 minutes, June 6th, 1887. He was born in 
Oxford, Ga., March 15th, 1842. Aged 45 years, 2 months and 22 days.
  After the death of his brother, Gen. J. Simms, which transpired on the morning
of May 30th, Col. A. B. Simms returned to his own home, being weighted down 
with grief and almost prostrated on account of the great affliction which had
been visited upon him. Neither his family or friends, for a moment, supposed 
that he was seriously effected, altho they well knew that the severe strain 
upon him mentally and physically had unnerved him for the time being and in
consequence only a few called to see him the first days after he sought quietude
and rest in his peaceful and happy home- he was kindly left unmolested to nurse
his sacred grief with the dear ones of his own household. On Saturday morning,
at an early hour, the startling announcement was circulated that Col. Simms had 
become totally paralyzed, and had a flash of destructive lightning came 
thundering down from a clear sky it would not have created any more surprise
or spread any greater consternation. At 4 o'clock p. m., of the same day, he 
became unconsious, and being stricken down and utterly helpless he could not 
move or speak. In this condition he remained until Monday afternoon, at 6, 1/2 
o'clock, when he gently fell to sleep- his big soul winging its flight back to 
the great God who gave it. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the sad and mournful 
scene presented at the closing moments of this noble man's earthly career. His 
broken-hearted wife, with her trembling hand clasped tightly in the hand of her 
husband, his darling sister and sisters-in-law, his brothers-in-law, and a few 
other dear ones bending over his dying bed, is a picture too sacred to paint 
with a pen, even had we the inclination or ability to do to, which we have not, 
for even the true and tender affection we bore him cannot give us power or 
strength to pay such a tribute to his spotless memory as we know full well it 
so justly deserves. Our weary mind tells us that the consoling words we would 
speak to the family and kindred of our dead friend would sound harsh and cold 
at this dark and trying hour. He is at rest, and this of itself comes as 
soothing balm to cheer their sore and bleeding hearts.
  At sunrise on the morning of Jan. 3rd, 1878, he led to the marriage altar,
as a blushing bride, Miss Sarah Shelton Terrell Jackson, of Greene County, a 
most estimable and accomplished young lady, being a graduate of the S. M. F. 
College, at Covington, Ga. In less than one short decade, as the sun was nearing
its day's journey to a home in the western sky, all ties between them on this 
earth were rudely severed. But they will meet again "where the surging billows
cease to roll and the weary are at rest." This marriage was a union of hands. 
No happier home could well be found in all this land. Three precious jewels, a 
son and two daughters, came to bless their already blissful lives.- When all 
the world seemed fairest, when hope appeared brightest, when the young wife 
began to fully realize the benefits and blessings which God had bestowed upon
her, and the kind husband began to understand the great responsibilities which 
had been placed upon his broad shoulders, the dark messenger of death entered
their tranquil abode and carried the husband away on the wings of the morning.
In the very zenith of his usefulness, when success was crowning his professional
efforts and fortune was smiling her sweetest smiles upon his wise and prudent
investments, in the prime of a fully matured and vigorous manhood, he was 
commanded to lay down his work and give up his life in obedience to a call from 
the Great Judge on High. He answered a summons without complaint or murmur. He 
was prepared to die and did not fear to go. The life of such a man
"Reminds us,
That we can make our own sublime,
And in departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of Time. "
  In politics Col. Simms was a Democrat, and was as true to its principles, as
is the magic needle to the pole. In the time that "tried men's souls," in the 
tent and on the field of battle, he was found at the post of duty. After the war
he returned to the place of his nativity and studied law under Judge J. J. 
Floyd, was admitted to the bar and soon took rank with the leading and 
brilliant young lawyers of the state. In 1872 he was elected to the legislature
and won distinction by his close attention to business and his strong adherance
to principle. He was once Mayor of Covington making a most popular and efficient
officer. 
  It is not our intention to write a history of the life and character of this
pure and noble man, who has been stricken down in the very bloom of a bright and
successful manhood, for this could not well be done in a newspaper article. He
was our neighbor and our friend, and through all the years of our wild and 
reckless dissipation he stood by us and sustained us with sound advice and 
substancial aid and assistance, and his memory will live so long as we shall 
live, and when we die we hope to carry that remembrance with us into the grave 
and even beyond into the spirit world. He stood by us when dark clouds and 
angry storms of sorrow and misfortune overshadowed our thorny pathway. He 
extended the hand of brotherly love to us on many occasions and every time with 
the palm wide open. By his aid and the aid and encouragement of other solid and 
substancial men in this county the Enterprise owes what little success it has 
achieved. We are proud to number a gentleman of his high and lofty character 
among the list of our acquaintances, and consider it a privilege to have been 
his friend. He was a man of honor and integrity, he was a consistent christian
and might well be termed a pillar of the M. E. Church of this city. He was a 
progressive and public spirited citizen and as kind at heart and generous in 
nature as any man who ever drew the breath of life. The world is better by his
having lived in it. That the pure and blameless life he lived entitled him to a 
crown in the land of glory, we do not for a moment doubt, or even question. The
people of this town, of this county and of this state know Col. Simms and will
bear us out in saying that he would have had both his arms severed at the 
shoulder blades before he would have been a party to any suspicious or 
illegitimate transaction. They know he would have had his tongue torn out by 
the roots before he would have acted or spoken a falsehood. Such a man we find
once in a generation and when he dies his virtues should be spread upon the 
minutes of Time to be handed down so they can be engrossed upon the Records of 
Eternity.
  At 4 o'clock p. m. Tuesday the remains of Col. Simms was interred in the new 
cemetery here, where he will sleep in peace in the same sod where his gallant
brother and other dear ones have been laid to rest.The funeral services were
conducted in a most beautiful and touching manner by his beloved pastor, 
Reverend R. J. Bigham. Eulogies upon his life and character were delivered by 
Rev. J. M. Brittian, Rev. Dr. Henry Quigg, Rev. John D. Stewart and Mr. Bigham-
all of whom had known him long and loved him well and truly.- The business 
houses were closed in the city and a multitude of his friends were present to 
pay the last sad rites to his cherished memory. May flowers of beauty bloom 
perpetually over the last resting place of our dearest neighbor and one of our
most cherished friends.
  The following tribute, in the Covington Star, was paid our friend while he lay
dying Monday afternoon last, and what the editor says is the universal sentiment
of the people of this city and county:
  When the news of Col. Simms condition reached the public, a few minutes later,
it produced a great shock, and cast a deep and overshadowing gloom over the 
whole community. Every head was bowed with sorrow, and every heart was burdened
with grief, because of his sudden and sore affliction.
  How can we tell of the nobility and spotless character of Ben Simms? Ah, who
but the Recording Angel can recount his virtues, enumerate his many deeds of 
charity, or tell of the noble and generous impulses of his great heart! It is 
not in the power of our pen to do it: but we do most heartily commend his 
spotless life as an ever living example for our young men to emulate for all 
that is good and pure and exalted in human nature, through all the generations
to come. The life and exalted character for integrity of Ben Simms is an 
imperishable heritage which he bequeaths to his family, his friends, his fellow
citizens, and his country, which should be cherished as the most precious jewels
of earth. It is the common property of his fellow citizens. Let us preserve it 
untarnished as the most valued of all legacies. He was the very soul of honor
of integrity of truth. Let us emulate his life and learn to walk in the light 
of his spotless character.

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