Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    J. W. SIMMONS

    J. W. SIMMONS, an extensive grower of fruit and vegetable plants, is a substantial citizen and business man of Casstown, Miami County, Ohio. From a small and unassuming start, he has built up a large business and has a larger demand for his products than he can fill. He was born at Panola, Mississippi, March 25, 1844, and is a son of John and Agnes (Patterson) Simmons.

    John Simmons, father of subject of this sketch, was born near Huntville, Alabama, and when a young man went to Columbia, Tennessee. There he was married to Agnes Patterson, who was born within the shadow of the Natural Bridge in Virginia. After marriage they moved to Panola, Mississippi, where they remained for a time, and then located on a plantation in that vicinity, Mr. Simmons becoming a large cotton raiser. He was a strong Democrat in politics, and stumped his county for James K. Polk for president. It was his desire to name the subject of this sketch and his twin brother, Polk and Dallas, respectively, in honor of the president and vice-president who had been recently elected. He died in 1850, while in the prime of life. He and his wife we re parents of the following children; William J., deceased; James F., deceased; Virginia E., wife of George Rutledge, of Dayton, Ohio; Charles, a twin, who died at the age of nine months; and John Woodruff, a twin to Charles. Ten years after the death of her first husband, Mrs. Simmons formed a second marital union with James McCandless, who died in 1879. She survived him until 1892, when she, too, passed away.

    John W. Simmons was a mere child when his parents moved from Panola to the plantation, and was six years old at his father's death. The year following the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he lived until his seventeenth year. At the time of his leaving, that city had a population of about 22,000, and was without water works, steam engines in connection with the fire department, a police force, or the, various other departments which now characterize a city of that importance. He went to live upon the farm of his stepfather, James McCandless, in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, which the latter had settled upon as early as 1828.

    He always had the greatest respect for Mr.Mcandles, who treated him with paternal kindliness. He remained on that place until he entered the army during the Civil War. He entered the state service in 1863, and in May, 1864, became a 100-day man in the regular service, being on duty in the vicinity of the City of Washington. Upon receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Miami County, and was married the following year. He then located at his present place in Casstown, but continued to farm until 1874. He then began raising all plants, at which he has been so successful. He first bought two acres of land here at $200 per acre, for which he went in debt, and he now owns three good residence properties in addition to his garden plot. He began without a dollar he could call his own and no experience, and the progress made by him is best shown by a partial statement of his products in 1908. He raised 35,000 cabbage, 25,000 tomato, 8,000 mango and 45,000 sweet potato plants. He also shipped 240,000 strawberry and 54,000 raspberry plants. He has fourteen beds, all under glass, and equipped in the most modern fashion. In thirty-four years he has never failed to have a crop.

    In 1865 Mr. Simmons was united in marriage with Miss Effie Yaste, who was born in Maryland and was six years old when brought by her parents to Miami County, Ohio, making the trip in a carriage. She is a daughter of Colonel Samuel and Mary (Youtsey) Yaste, her father having been colonel of a regiment organized during the War of 1812. They have one son, Frank Simmons, who is in partnership with his father in the horticultural business. Frank was first married to Myrtle Jones, who died six years later, and he subsequently formed a second union with Mrs. Alta Everingham, by which he has a son, Paul. J. W. Simmons has always been as staunch a Republican as his father was a Democrat before him. He served two terms capably as township treasurer, in 1892 and in 1894. He is a member of Coleman Post, G.A.R., at Troy.

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