Biographical Sketch of Wiley B. Simmons, Texas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, from Earliest Times to the
Present" Published by Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889.

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Wiley B. Simmons, merchant at Summerville, MO., was born in Claiborne
County, Tenn., November 13, 1830, being a son of Enoch C. and Sarah
(Lewis) Simmons, who were also natives of that State, and were married
in Claiborne County.  The father was reared on a farm, received a good
education, and became a minister of the Baptist Church, preaching for
about thirty-five years.  At an early day he immigrated to Missouri,
settling in Greene County, where he remained several years, afterward
going to Arkansas, and from there to Dent County, MO., dying in the
latter place in 1860.  His wife's death occurred in 1876, at the age
of seventy-six years.  Five of their ten children are now living:
William D., Wiley B., Pulaski, Charles and Lettie.  Wiley B. Simmons
was reared on farms in Greene and Dent Counties, receiving a common
school education.  He remained with his parents until he attained his
majority, and in 1850 married Miss Minerva Nash, a native of Tenn-
essee, by whom he has six children: John F., Julia Mary J., Sarah M.,
Charles L., Lucinda and Phoebe.  After Mrs. Simmons' death, which
occurred in 1881, Mr. Simmons married Mrs. Carrie Cox, a daughter of
Christopher and Electa McNich.  They were born, reared and married in
Livingston County, N. Y., Mrs. Simmons being born in the same county.
After her marriage to Mr. Cox they immigrated to Oregon County, MO.,
in 1866, but were residing in Licking, Texas County, at the time of 
Mr. Cox's death.  The following are their three children: James S.,
Esther E. and J. Leslie.  Her union to Mr. Simmons was consumated on
May 1, 1884, and she has for a number of years been an earnest worker
in and member of the Christian Church.  August 9, 1862, Mr. Simmons
enlisted in Company D, Thirty-second Missouri Infantry, enlisting at
the end of four month in the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, Company A, 
and after serving twenty months was discharged at Little Rock, Ark.
Until 1886 he was engaged in farming, but at that date embarked in 
the mercantile business at Summerville, which has proved very profit-
able, the firm being now known as Simmons & Son.  He is a member of
the G. A. R.

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