Irvin Simmons Biography


	This biography appears on pages 332-335 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				IRVIN SIMMONS. 

	Among the many progressive and successful farmers in Spink county 
is Irvin Simmons, who owns three hundred and twenty acres of land on 
section 15, Beotia township, and is recognized as one of the most up-
to-date and most prosperous of them all. He is thoroughly identified 
with its interests, having lived there for over three decades and 
having done much in that time to aid in its agricultural development. 

	Mr. Simmons was born near Middleton, Dane county, Wisconsin, on 
the 28th of May, 1853, and is a son of Jeremiah and Almira (Bullock) 
Simmons, both of whom were natives of New York state. Previous to 
coming to Wisconsin the father was a factory worker, but after removing 
to that state, in 1848, he devoted his time to farming. He went to 
Wisconsin by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, thence by steamboat to 
Milwaukee and from that point by ox team to Middleton. He remained a 
resident of the Badger state until 1881, but then came to South Dakota, 
settling near the James river in Spink county. Ten years after locating 
here he passed away, but his wife survived until 1910. Both are buried 
in the town of Springfield, Wisconsin. On the paternal side our subject 
is of Dutch descent, but his maternal ancestors were of English and 
Scotch extraction, but all came to this country long before the 
Revolution. 

	Irvin Simmons was educated in Wisconsin and after leaving school 
assisted his father in the work of the farm until he was a young man of 
twenty-four years. He then bought land and operated it for a time, but 
subsequently sold, after which he came to South Dakota. Upon his 
arrival in this state he settled upon prairie land and immediately 
began its improvement. He has brought it to a high state of cultivation 
and has made many improvements thereon. Everything is kept in excellent 
repair and the appearance of the place indicates the enterprise and 
good management of its owner. He does mixed farming and in addition to 
raising grain keeps considerable stock. He derives a gratifying income 
from his own farm and also operates three hundred acres of rented land, 
which increases his profits materially. 

	Mr. Simmons was united in marriage in Springfield, Wisconsin, on 
the 10th of June, 1877, to Miss Emily J. Slark, a daughter of Abraham 
and Orpha (Huntington) Slark, who were early settlers of Wisconsin and 
natives of England and Canada, respectively. The father is now a 
resident of Hudson, Wisconsin, but the mother has passed away and was 
buried at Tyndall, South Dakota. 

	Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are the parents of ten children, namely: 
William, who died April 26, 1891, and was buried in the Conde cemetery; 
Boyd, who was born in 1885 and died in December, 1902, interment being 
made in Conde; Gordon, a farmer of Tetouke township; Harvey, a well 
driller, living in North Dakota; Frank, Charles and Ray, who are 
assisting their father; Gladys, a graduate of the Conde high school and 
now a school teacher; Elmer, assisting his father; and Mabel, attending 
school. 

	Mr. Simmons is independent in politics and votes for the man 
rather than for the party. He and his wife are well known throughout 
Spink county and are held in respect and honor, as their lives have 
always conformed to the highest standards of morality.