Harry A. Simons Biography


	This biography appears on pages 937-938 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	HARRY A. SIMONS, owner of one of the leading hardware stores at 
Platte, is descended from a New York family, long identified with the 
west by early immigration. His father, Calvart Simons, left his native 
state when a young man, settled in Wisconsin and was engaged in farming 
for about fifteen years. He then moved to South Dakota, purchased four 
hundred acres of land, and spent sixteen years in the cultivation of 
the same. At the end of this period he went to White Lake, South 
Dakota, where he devoted six years of his time to the implement 
business. He married Mary Allen and Harry A. Simons, one of the 
children of this union, was born in Wisconsin in 1866. He remained on 
the farm until the completion of his twenty-third year, when he learned 
practical engineering and followed that occupation for six years. The 
following two years and a half were devoted to the blacksmithing 
business, after which Mr. Simons located at Castalia, South Dakota, as 
a hardware merchant. In 1900 he removed to Platte, where he continued 
in the same line until he eventually built up a large trade and now 
does a flourishing business with the surrounding country. In addition 
to his hardware store, Mr. Simons owns other town property and is one 
of the thriving citizens of Platte. Personally he is popular, 
indicating that he is honest in his dealings and a man who can be 
relied on to help in any movement which promises public benefit and 
municipal growth. His political affiliations are with the Republican 
party, though he has never held office and wastes no time seeking for 
such honors. In religious faith he has always been an adherent of the 
doctrines taught by the Christian church.  

	On, March 30, 1890, Mr. Simons was united in marriage with Miss 
Della, daughter of Abraham C. and Sarah (Heath) Holden, of Iowa, and 
they have five children, Blanche, Raymond, Ernest. Ronald and Mildred.