Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Simmons, David A. 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net March 21, 2015, 11:40 am Portland Observer, 10 Oct 1883 Obituary. Another Old Resident Removed. David A. Simmons died at his residence in this village on Saturday evening, October 6, 1883. He was born in the state of New York on the 18th of September, 1804 and was therefore 79 years, and 18 days old at the time of his death. Mr. Simmons with his family came to Michigan in 1836 and bought land on both sides of the Looking-glass river on sections 9 and 10 in Eagle. By his own labor he soon had a large clearing and a comfortable log house and barn. In those early days every house on a traveled road was a house of entertainment, and there are many yet among us that remember the Simmons house on the east side of the Looking-glass, about 6 miles from Portland. In 1849 he removed to this village, because of its educational advantages to his children. For a few years he was proprietor of the hotel where the Welch house now stands. After he disposed of that he was absent for two years in California. On his return he opened a jewelry shop on the corner of Kent and Bridge St. Several years ago he purchased his late residence on the west side of Grand river, which he had fitted up as a home for himself and wife in their declining years. Mr. Simmons was no politician, and, though often importuned to accept local offices, he would never consent, preferring the enjoyment of private life to the vexations of official position; yet he was decided in his opinions of politics — being in his preference a republican. In his opinions, though never demonstrative, he was firm and seldom changed. His social qualities were of the finest nature, and his genial smile was as well known as was his countenance for the past forty years and upward. He also possessed a fine taste for the beautiful in art and nature, and never tired in their examination, and his taste in this respect has for many years been a proverb among us. For several years past his health has declined, and on Friday last he was on the streets, apparently no worse than usual. He rose on Saturday morning and made a fire in the stove and while awaiting breakfast was seized with a congestive chill, from the effects of which he rapidly sank and expired at eight o’clock Saturday evening. In his early years he was connected with the Christian denomination, but some six years ago his views of scriptural teachings were revised and he accepted in all its fullness the divinity of Christ. His personal preference was with the M.E. church, yet as Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Congregational church, he desired to be free to go with her to public service, and did not, therefore, openly unite with any church. Besides his widow he leaves two married daughters, Mrs. Susan Knox and Mrs. Ada Blanchard, who reside in this village. Thus as the years roll on, one by one of those first settlers who came here in their early years, are now, with their locks silvered by age, and revered by their fellow citizens, passing to the endless future beyond, where age knows no years and infirmities are unknown. The deceased had some years ago engaged the Rev. Alfred Cornell to attend his funeral and accordingly that clergyman preached from the text: “There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God.” The services were held in the M.E. church and were attended by our citizens generally. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/simmons30177nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb