From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

page 791

J. Cole Simmons was born in Huron County, Ohio, in 1830, a son of Charles B. and Maria (Hanchet) Simmons, his father a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of Connecticut. Charles B. Simmons moved to Ohio with his parents in 1816, and still lives in Huron County. His wife died many years ago. Our subject was reared a farmer, receiving a common-school education. He came to Steuben County, Ind., in April, 1863, and bought a farm on section 26, Steuben Township, of Norman Gardner, which was entered by Seth Murray. In 1866 he sold his farm at quite an advance on the purchase price, and in 1867 bought the farm where he now lives, on the northeast quarter of section 27, of William Thompson. This farm contains eighty acres of valuable land, and the improvements are among the best in the township. Mr. Simmons is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of sheep-raising. He was married in Ohio to Ann Smith, a native of Huron County, and a schoolmate in his childhood. Their only child, Charles, died in infancy. Mr. Simmons's brother, V. E., came to Indiana in 1864, and engaged in the mercantile business at Pleasant Lake. He was also Postmaster from 1856 till his death, in September, 1880. He was one of the prominent business men of the village, and a highly esteemed citizen. He left a widow, who returned to Ohio. Mr. Simmons was in partnership with his brother in business a year.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com