George R Simmons’s biography, Watertown Township, Clinton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. 
This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb 
Archives.  

 

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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY
Page 106
Photo Available of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Simmons
GEORGE R. SIMMONS

George R. Simmons is living retired in Dewitt but for years was an active and 
successful agriculturist of Clinton County, owning a well-improved farm in Olive 
Township. A native son of Michigan, his birth occurred in Washtenaw County,
January 23, 1842. His father, Atwell Simmons, was born in the state of New York in 
1805 and after arriving at years of maturity was married there to Lovina Knapp, a 
native of that state. In the year 1842 they arrived in Michigan, settling in
Washtenaw County, where Mr. Simmons purchased a farm, living thereon for three 
years. He then sold and came to Clinton County in 1845, taking up his abode in 
Riley Township, where he opened up a farm in the midst of the forest. He reared 
his family thereon and continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits until 
his life's labors were ended in death in 1880. His wife survived him for a number 
of years, passing away in May 1902. They had hone son and one daughter, the latter 
being Amina, the wife of Amari Cook, of Riley Township. The son, George R. 
Simmons, reared in this county, to which he was brought when but three years
of age, had but limited school privileges and his knowledge has been largely self-
acquired. He remained with his father until twenty-one years of age and afterward 
married in Olive Township, on the 21st of December, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth 
Tucker, a native of Tioga County, New York, and a daughter of Hiram and Lucy 
(Smith) Tucker, who were also natives of the "Empire State, and former having been 
born in Otsego County and the latter in Tioga County. Mr. Tucker removed westward 
to Michigan in 1850 and his daughter was therefore reared in this state. Mr. and 
Mrs Simmons began their domestic life upon a farm and he owned and improved a 
valuable tract of land in Olive Township. The soil was alluvial and productive and 
as the years passed returned splendid harvests. After successfully carrying on 
general agricultural pursuits for some time Mr. Simmons removed to the village of 
Dewitt, where he now resides in honorable retirement from further business cares.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children but only one now living 
is Ella, the wife of M. F. Pike, a farmer of Olive Township. Ada and Eva, twins, 
died in early childhood and Dora died at the age of six years, while Hiram Simmons
reached adult age and was married here. He became a prominent citizen of Dewitt 
and served as postmaster of the village for a number of years or until the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1893. He left two daughters, Ada and Eva. Mr. and Mrs
Simmons of this review are members of the Universalist Church and Mr. Simmons 
belongs to the Masonic Lodge, in which he has served as master and filled all the 
other chairs, while both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern 
Star. He is a man of unblemished character and moral worth, who has lived an 
honest, upright life and has a favorable acquaintance in Clinton County, where the 
circle of his friends is very extensive.


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