Biographies: W. M. Simmons, 1932, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: October 6, 1932 Winn Parish Enterprise

W. M. Simmons, Teacher Gets Pension

At the 1932 session of the State Legislature Act 36 passed to authorize school
boards to pay pensions to retired teachers who had taught 40 years or more in
the same parish.

The first person to take advantage of this Act is W. M. Simmons, 69 years of
age, of Sikes, who petitioned the Winn Parish School Board at their meeting
last week and was granted the right to draw the pension.  Mr. Simmons is one
of six persons in the state eligible to get the pension.

Mr. Simmons began teaching in Winn Parish in 1887 and retired after May 15,
1931.  His first school was where Joyce is now located, and was known as the
Mickie LeMonde school.  During his forty-four years in this profession he
taught at Zion Hill, Big Springs, Hickory Ridge, Fellowship, Mineral Springs,
Kelly, Hurricane Grove, Hart, and at a school known as Mabry, near the Sikes
school site.  At some of these schools he taught for many years.  

Mr. Simmons received his education in the rural schools.  He was permitted to
teach by passing examinations and was later awarded a life certificate.  He
did not attend school more than two or three months at a time and had to
prepare his lessons at night by the light of a pine fire.

At the same time of teaching, Mr. Simmons served his Ward as Justice of the
Peace, holding this position 36 years, 28 years being continuous service.  He
also farmed.  He is the father of nine children, six of them were school
teachers, two of the boys, Kermit and Guy, still teach, two other boys now
hold positions in the Shreveport Post Office, while the two girl teachers are
now married.

He has been a leader in every community he taught in, serving at various times
in the positions of: president of the Parish Union, president of the Kyiche
cooperative Union at Gaars Mill, secretary of the Masonic Lodge at Sikes.  He
helped organize the Farmers Union at Ruston and attended the state convention
as a delegate each year.

Mr. Simmons was born in Marion County, Mississippi, February 10, 1863, the son
of W. L. Simmons and Mary Susan Vince Simmons.  He was their third of eight
children.  His father fought in the Civil War, was captured at Vicksburg, July
4, 1863 and paroled July 9th.  They moved to Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, in
1865 and to Winn Parish in 1882.  Mr. Simmons is married to Maria "Sallie" Fox
of Winn Parish.

When questioned about his many years of service, Mr. Simmons said, "Teaching
was my profession and I loved and enjoyed it."

There are hundreds of former pupils of Mr. Simmons in Winn Parish, together
with his other friends who wish him as much happiness in his retired position
as he enjoyed in his years of service.