John Henry Symmonds Jr. is the son of Revolutionary War veteran (John) Henry Symmonds Sr. and Barbara (Castleman) Symmonds. Born in Pennsylvania, the family moved to Butler County, Ohio where he met and married Margaret "Peggy" Hoffman on March 11, 1806. Together they raised a family of 12 children. He served in the War of 1812 in Daniel Heaton's 1st Ohio Rifle Company. Most members of the Symmonds family moved further west in 1828, settling in west central Indiana, primarily in Marion and Parke counties. Several of John and Margaret's children moved to western Illinois, settling in Adams and Hancock counties in the 1840s and early 1850s. John and Margaret joined them there in 1852 and spent their final years in Hancock County, Illinois. They were devout members of the Primitive Baptist Church and helped found the Bethel Church and Cemetery.

The following obituary was shared by Monte Symmonds (47530870).
"Died, at his late residence, on the 27th day of May, 1872, our esteemed brother, John Symmons, age 88 years, 1 month and 20 days. Brother Symmons was much afflicted in his old age, not being able to attend the meetings with the church of which he was a member but seldom during the last few years of his life; though he endured his affliction with fortitude and patience, looking forward and anxiously desiring to be clothed upon with that house which is from heaven, that immortality and eternal life which is brought to light through the Gospel. Brother Symmons was a constant reader and a great lover of the holy scriptures, and the "Signs of the Times," which gave him much comfort in his declining days. I think it may be said of him truly, he has gone from the evil to come, and as a shock of corn fully ripe, he has been gathered into that rest that remains for the people of God. By request the write attended the funeral, and tried to comfort the bereaved friends. May the Lord comfort his bereaved children."
Signs of Our TImes, Primitive Baptist Church, date unknown.