Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-14
Death OF n Venerable Citizen.
EDWARD sIMMs PASSES AWAY AT THB AGE OF NINEr

YEARS
EDWARD Simms, one OF the Oldest and most promi-
nent citizens OF Washington. died about halfpast
eleven O'Clock last night at his home, on street,
between Sd and Az streets northwest Mr.. S,mms
celeorated his ninetieth birthday month ago. He
was native or Montgomery county, Nd. and
made his advent In Washington when lad about
II Years Old upon load OF oats destined for fhe
fFeSaent S stables President Jefferson happened
TO be at the stables when the oats arrived Seeing
strange boy there he greeted him with the Ques-
ton: "H0w did you get here nv bow,
Young SmmS. who had never seen a President
before, was struck with awe, and blurted out: II
came with the oats" This story often related
by Mt SimmS himself. Having come with the oats.
ana being boy OF considerable ambition he located
himself In Georgetown and set himself to learning
the trade OF carpenter and cab.netmaker the two
cra1tS being then generally combined. After Serv-
ing out his time he did not long work at his trade
Anxious to be his own master, he went into the
grocery business with Mr.. LjtleJohn. OF George
town, and after Mr.. LttlejohnS death conducted
the business himself
IN THE WAR OF 1919.
Meanwhile, however, the war OF 1912 was waged,
and Mr.. Smms, then youth OF stalwart frame,
took part In the defense OF Washington and other
military operations. He was engaged at the battle
OF Bladensburg, and after Gen. Ross retired from
this vicinity marched with other troops to join IN
the neighborhood OF Baltimore. but at Ellicotts
Mllis the troops received the news OF Gen. Ross
death at the battle of North Point and returned to
thiS cfy. MI. SimnS was taken from the ranks,
together with other artisans. TO help repair the
@nanage @ done to the public buildings by the invad-
Wa War ar H worked husn as carpenter s@ on the
number OF the doors for that building. When
IN tne oid War department building was about
10 DE torn down Mr. Simms obtained permission
from the Secretary OF War TO take away one OF the
doors he had made, and this he valued as me-
aiento OF his early days and specimen OF his han
ulcra1t- MI. S1mmS was one OF the eight survivors
or the Associated Soldiers OF the war OF 1912, who
held their annual meeting september 18th last at
the home or John D. Clark, No. 1903 H street nor1h-
west. After Mr. S1rnms active military experience
closed, with the end OF the war OF 1872 he was for
many years connected with the militia OF the Dis
trict and he took part in the reception OF LaTay-
ette and many other public events in which the
militia OF the district participated.
HIS BUSINESS PRosPERRD
under careful, honest and Intelligent management
until he became one OF the leading and most popu-
lar business men OF the city. He was engaged for
many years as contractor supplying stores to the
government, and amaSsed comfortable fortune.
He was stOckholder and director In the Bank OF
washington for number OF years. When the
panic came during President JackSon'S administra-
tlon. that ruined many banks, incident occurred
Whlch showed how good name Mr.. SimmS had
made In business circles. AS all banks were
threatened, the directors OF the Bank OF Washing
ton feared that would be made upon them
which might imperil the bank No one would ad-
vance money at such a critical time to any
bank. Mr.. SimmS was consulted in the emergency.
WIN The promptnesS that characterized all his
business operations, he went at once to number
OF friends and by simply telling them that he
needed money secured thousands OF dollars on his
peISoAdl Credit his HlUiey ne placed IN the
bank as depOStOr and thus secured Ii against the
dangers which threatened IL. Mr.. SimmS was one
or the original members also OF the firm 81 Lewis
johnson q Co. bankers. In the later years OF life,
In talking with young business men, he always
earnestly impressed upon them the Importance
and advantage Of establishing good name. He
often referred TO his experience member OF the
1lrm OF Lewis johnson q Co. When the bank was
opened and the names OF the members of the firm
were announced depOsitors at once c;snle to them,
and they were soon engaged in thriving business,
though, Mr.. SimmS said, he never had advanced
one cent to form a capital When Mr.. SimniS re-
tired from the firm he received very large sum
as his share OF the profits, which he considered as
the interest received on his good name.
He was upright, exact and conscientious
In all his dealings. Personally he was
very much beloved. For nearly score OF
years be had not been engaged In active business
His beaith Was we'll preserved, and almost to the
day OF his death he appeared vigorous and was fire.
quenty seen on the streets. He attended generally
the meetings OF the Oldest Inhabitants society," and
was much Interested in the growth OF the city with
the history OF which his name Is SO closely con-
nected Mr. Simms however, had not been out OF
his house for several weeks, though he
was not considered to be seriously Ill.
monia, which terminated fatally. He was a
widower, but leaves son and four daughters. One
OF his sons, the late Dr. SimmS died just year ago
yesterday Arrangements were being made to-day
to have the funeral take place Saturday morning
from ST. AloysiuS church, OF which the deceased
was member.