The Winchester Herald, Friday, 17 January 1890
Died–A. Simmons, aged 79 years, Tuesday evening at 6:50 p.m. January 14, 1890, of pneumonia. He was one of the oldest and best known settlers in Jefferson county. He was first taken sick about three weeks ago with Influenza, which soon developed into pneumonia fever, causing death. His wife, who for over 50 years has shared his joys and sorrows, prosperity and adversity, is now just on the brink of the dark river of death, and since her husband’s death she has been patiently waiting with Christian fortitude, the summons to join him on the other shore. Thursday, for the first time during her sickness she expressed a desire to get well. No arrangements for his funeral have yet been made.
The Winchester Herald, Friday, 24 January 1890
ALPHA SIMMONS.
Born–In Surrey county, N. C. November 24, 1811. Died in Jefferson county, Kansas, January 14, 1890.
So reads the record of the beginning and the ending of a human life. Of the life, his neighbors say he was honest, and his children say he was good as well. In the light then of these two testimonials he will be remembered as a good, honest man. Industrious and honest in youth, useful in manhood, old age found him ready for death, and the complacency with which he faced the King of Terrors proved him to be a Christian true and faithful at all times and under all circumstances. Mr. Simmons belonged to that class known to history as pioneers, men who do not follow but bear in the vanguard of civilization the Star of Empire. His was the task of planting the first fields, building the first churches and the first school houses in three states. Yet after doing all this he was a humble citizen, thinking more of his reputation for goodness and honesty than of all else beside. The incidents of his life only bear testimony as to what a man must do in some way or another to have a “well-done” said of him at the end of life.
He married Frances Bays of Pennsylvania county, Va., November 1, 1837; in 1839 he removed to Indiana then a western state, and a baby girl was added to his family; for 13 years he industriously engaged in mercantile, manufacturing and farming pursuits, acquiring some property, but desiring to do better he looked towards Iowa. Having a wife whom no privation would deter or no danger discourage, he was not long in transferring himself and family, now consisting of wife and five children to Decatur county, Iowa, settling there in 1852. His Iowa farm soon attracted the attention of newcomers, land buyers were plenty and in 1855, a party came along and made an offer for his place he only asked them to go to the house and see his wife about it; she was ready to do what he thought best, and in a few hours they were making ready for another move, which brought them to Crooked creek, to this township, in the spring of 1855. Forty acres of corn was planted the first year; three acres of buckwheat was grown; and garden stuff grown in abundance. Here Ella, their youngest, but the first white child born in Jefferson county, was added to the family. From 1855 to 1884 Mr. Simmons lived on his Crooked creek farm; all his children married and went to themselves, and he resolved on going further west; this time however, only to the neighborhood of Topeka, where he resided three years. The venture was successful financially, but Jefferson township had had its charms for the old couple and they came back to spend the remainder of their lives among us. Mr. Simmons has been for a quarter of a century a faithful member of the Baptist church though under the disadvantage of not having continuous church fellowship, the congregation to which he belonged having disbanded, and he not living near enough to any other to unite for anything like regular work, yet for nearly 20 years he kept the faith, and when a new congregation was organized at Winchester, the old soldier still had his armour on and joyfully took his place with his aged companion in the ranks of Christian soldiery.
Grandpa, as we must now call him on account of age, had for sometime been in poor health, and when Influenza came it found him to feeble to resist its attacks, and it rapidly developed itself into pneumonia, acute and painful, just the old veteran of the cross bore his sufferings with fortitude, noted his own failing powers, and at every step gave evidence of a triumphant faith in a Risen Redeemer. He expired peacefully, as if going to sleep. What shall we say of him but quite citizen, honest man, kind father, faithful friend, earnest Christian, hail and farewell.
R. C. Y. [R. C. Young]
Died–A. Simmons, aged 79 years, Tuesday evening at 6:50 p.m. January 14, 1890, of pneumonia. He was one of the oldest and best known settlers in Jefferson county. He was first taken sick about three weeks ago with Influenza, which soon developed into pneumonia fever, causing death. His wife, who for over 50 years has shared his joys and sorrows, prosperity and adversity, is now just on the brink of the dark river of death, and since her husband’s death she has been patiently waiting with Christian fortitude, the summons to join him on the other shore. Thursday, for the first time during her sickness she expressed a desire to get well. No arrangements for his funeral have yet been made.
The Winchester Herald, Friday, 24 January 1890
ALPHA SIMMONS.
Born–In Surrey county, N. C. November 24, 1811. Died in Jefferson county, Kansas, January 14, 1890.
So reads the record of the beginning and the ending of a human life. Of the life, his neighbors say he was honest, and his children say he was good as well. In the light then of these two testimonials he will be remembered as a good, honest man. Industrious and honest in youth, useful in manhood, old age found him ready for death, and the complacency with which he faced the King of Terrors proved him to be a Christian true and faithful at all times and under all circumstances. Mr. Simmons belonged to that class known to history as pioneers, men who do not follow but bear in the vanguard of civilization the Star of Empire. His was the task of planting the first fields, building the first churches and the first school houses in three states. Yet after doing all this he was a humble citizen, thinking more of his reputation for goodness and honesty than of all else beside. The incidents of his life only bear testimony as to what a man must do in some way or another to have a “well-done” said of him at the end of life.
He married Frances Bays of Pennsylvania county, Va., November 1, 1837; in 1839 he removed to Indiana then a western state, and a baby girl was added to his family; for 13 years he industriously engaged in mercantile, manufacturing and farming pursuits, acquiring some property, but desiring to do better he looked towards Iowa. Having a wife whom no privation would deter or no danger discourage, he was not long in transferring himself and family, now consisting of wife and five children to Decatur county, Iowa, settling there in 1852. His Iowa farm soon attracted the attention of newcomers, land buyers were plenty and in 1855, a party came along and made an offer for his place he only asked them to go to the house and see his wife about it; she was ready to do what he thought best, and in a few hours they were making ready for another move, which brought them to Crooked creek, to this township, in the spring of 1855. Forty acres of corn was planted the first year; three acres of buckwheat was grown; and garden stuff grown in abundance. Here Ella, their youngest, but the first white child born in Jefferson county, was added to the family. From 1855 to 1884 Mr. Simmons lived on his Crooked creek farm; all his children married and went to themselves, and he resolved on going further west; this time however, only to the neighborhood of Topeka, where he resided three years. The venture was successful financially, but Jefferson township had had its charms for the old couple and they came back to spend the remainder of their lives among us. Mr. Simmons has been for a quarter of a century a faithful member of the Baptist church though under the disadvantage of not having continuous church fellowship, the congregation to which he belonged having disbanded, and he not living near enough to any other to unite for anything like regular work, yet for nearly 20 years he kept the faith, and when a new congregation was organized at Winchester, the old soldier still had his armour on and joyfully took his place with his aged companion in the ranks of Christian soldiery.
Grandpa, as we must now call him on account of age, had for sometime been in poor health, and when Influenza came it found him to feeble to resist its attacks, and it rapidly developed itself into pneumonia, acute and painful, just the old veteran of the cross bore his sufferings with fortitude, noted his own failing powers, and at every step gave evidence of a triumphant faith in a Risen Redeemer. He expired peacefully, as if going to sleep. What shall we say of him but quite citizen, honest man, kind father, faithful friend, earnest Christian, hail and farewell.
R. C. Y. [R. C. Young]
The Winchester Herald, Friday, 17 January 1890
Died–A. Simmons, aged 79 years, Tuesday evening at 6:50 p.m. January 14, 1890, of pneumonia. He was one of the oldest and best known settlers in Jefferson county. He was first taken sick about three weeks ago with Influenza, which soon developed into pneumonia fever, causing death. His wife, who for over 50 years has shared his joys and sorrows, prosperity and adversity, is now just on the brink of the dark river of death, and since her husband’s death she has been patiently waiting with Christian fortitude, the summons to join him on the other shore. Thursday, for the first time during her sickness she expressed a desire to get well. No arrangements for his funeral have yet been made.
The Winchester Herald, Friday, 24 January 1890
ALPHA SIMMONS.
Born–In Surrey county, N. C. November 24, 1811. Died in Jefferson county, Kansas, January 14, 1890.
So reads the record of the beginning and the ending of a human life. Of the life, his neighbors say he was honest, and his children say he was good as well. In the light then of these two testimonials he will be remembered as a good, honest man. Industrious and honest in youth, useful in manhood, old age found him ready for death, and the complacency with which he faced the King of Terrors proved him to be a Christian true and faithful at all times and under all circumstances. Mr. Simmons belonged to that class known to history as pioneers, men who do not follow but bear in the vanguard of civilization the Star of Empire. His was the task of planting the first fields, building the first churches and the first school houses in three states. Yet after doing all this he was a humble citizen, thinking more of his reputation for goodness and honesty than of all else beside. The incidents of his life only bear testimony as to what a man must do in some way or another to have a “well-done” said of him at the end of life.
He married Frances Bays of Pennsylvania county, Va., November 1, 1837; in 1839 he removed to Indiana then a western state, and a baby girl was added to his family; for 13 years he industriously engaged in mercantile, manufacturing and farming pursuits, acquiring some property, but desiring to do better he looked towards Iowa. Having a wife whom no privation would deter or no danger discourage, he was not long in transferring himself and family, now consisting of wife and five children to Decatur county, Iowa, settling there in 1852. His Iowa farm soon attracted the attention of newcomers, land buyers were plenty and in 1855, a party came along and made an offer for his place he only asked them to go to the house and see his wife about it; she was ready to do what he thought best, and in a few hours they were making ready for another move, which brought them to Crooked creek, to this township, in the spring of 1855. Forty acres of corn was planted the first year; three acres of buckwheat was grown; and garden stuff grown in abundance. Here Ella, their youngest, but the first white child born in Jefferson county, was added to the family. From 1855 to 1884 Mr. Simmons lived on his Crooked creek farm; all his children married and went to themselves, and he resolved on going further west; this time however, only to the neighborhood of Topeka, where he resided three years. The venture was successful financially, but Jefferson township had had its charms for the old couple and they came back to spend the remainder of their lives among us. Mr. Simmons has been for a quarter of a century a faithful member of the Baptist church though under the disadvantage of not having continuous church fellowship, the congregation to which he belonged having disbanded, and he not living near enough to any other to unite for anything like regular work, yet for nearly 20 years he kept the faith, and when a new congregation was organized at Winchester, the old soldier still had his armour on and joyfully took his place with his aged companion in the ranks of Christian soldiery.
Grandpa, as we must now call him on account of age, had for sometime been in poor health, and when Influenza came it found him to feeble to resist its attacks, and it rapidly developed itself into pneumonia, acute and painful, just the old veteran of the cross bore his sufferings with fortitude, noted his own failing powers, and at every step gave evidence of a triumphant faith in a Risen Redeemer. He expired peacefully, as if going to sleep. What shall we say of him but quite citizen, honest man, kind father, faithful friend, earnest Christian, hail and farewell.
R. C. Y. [R. C. Young]
Died–A. Simmons, aged 79 years, Tuesday evening at 6:50 p.m. January 14, 1890, of pneumonia. He was one of the oldest and best known settlers in Jefferson county. He was first taken sick about three weeks ago with Influenza, which soon developed into pneumonia fever, causing death. His wife, who for over 50 years has shared his joys and sorrows, prosperity and adversity, is now just on the brink of the dark river of death, and since her husband’s death she has been patiently waiting with Christian fortitude, the summons to join him on the other shore. Thursday, for the first time during her sickness she expressed a desire to get well. No arrangements for his funeral have yet been made.
The Winchester Herald, Friday, 24 January 1890
ALPHA SIMMONS.
Born–In Surrey county, N. C. November 24, 1811. Died in Jefferson county, Kansas, January 14, 1890.
So reads the record of the beginning and the ending of a human life. Of the life, his neighbors say he was honest, and his children say he was good as well. In the light then of these two testimonials he will be remembered as a good, honest man. Industrious and honest in youth, useful in manhood, old age found him ready for death, and the complacency with which he faced the King of Terrors proved him to be a Christian true and faithful at all times and under all circumstances. Mr. Simmons belonged to that class known to history as pioneers, men who do not follow but bear in the vanguard of civilization the Star of Empire. His was the task of planting the first fields, building the first churches and the first school houses in three states. Yet after doing all this he was a humble citizen, thinking more of his reputation for goodness and honesty than of all else beside. The incidents of his life only bear testimony as to what a man must do in some way or another to have a “well-done” said of him at the end of life.
He married Frances Bays of Pennsylvania county, Va., November 1, 1837; in 1839 he removed to Indiana then a western state, and a baby girl was added to his family; for 13 years he industriously engaged in mercantile, manufacturing and farming pursuits, acquiring some property, but desiring to do better he looked towards Iowa. Having a wife whom no privation would deter or no danger discourage, he was not long in transferring himself and family, now consisting of wife and five children to Decatur county, Iowa, settling there in 1852. His Iowa farm soon attracted the attention of newcomers, land buyers were plenty and in 1855, a party came along and made an offer for his place he only asked them to go to the house and see his wife about it; she was ready to do what he thought best, and in a few hours they were making ready for another move, which brought them to Crooked creek, to this township, in the spring of 1855. Forty acres of corn was planted the first year; three acres of buckwheat was grown; and garden stuff grown in abundance. Here Ella, their youngest, but the first white child born in Jefferson county, was added to the family. From 1855 to 1884 Mr. Simmons lived on his Crooked creek farm; all his children married and went to themselves, and he resolved on going further west; this time however, only to the neighborhood of Topeka, where he resided three years. The venture was successful financially, but Jefferson township had had its charms for the old couple and they came back to spend the remainder of their lives among us. Mr. Simmons has been for a quarter of a century a faithful member of the Baptist church though under the disadvantage of not having continuous church fellowship, the congregation to which he belonged having disbanded, and he not living near enough to any other to unite for anything like regular work, yet for nearly 20 years he kept the faith, and when a new congregation was organized at Winchester, the old soldier still had his armour on and joyfully took his place with his aged companion in the ranks of Christian soldiery.
Grandpa, as we must now call him on account of age, had for sometime been in poor health, and when Influenza came it found him to feeble to resist its attacks, and it rapidly developed itself into pneumonia, acute and painful, just the old veteran of the cross bore his sufferings with fortitude, noted his own failing powers, and at every step gave evidence of a triumphant faith in a Risen Redeemer. He expired peacefully, as if going to sleep. What shall we say of him but quite citizen, honest man, kind father, faithful friend, earnest Christian, hail and farewell.
R. C. Y. [R. C. Young]
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