The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-16

was noted in the BANNER last week, was
the first born of George W. and Abigail
P, Simmons of Bennington. Mr.. Sim
mons. the elder, was tin-smith, excep-
tionally skillful at his trade and carried
on the business in your village in its early
history, and later, removed to North
Bennington where he continued the bust
ness until his death in 1861. George II.
learned the trade with his father and
succeeded him in business, and like his
father was a skillful mechanic, having
also an inventive turn of mind, and
MANI patents attest the merit and high
order of his inventive genius. He fol-
lowed his trade as metal worker and
dealer in house furnishings about twen-
.ty years, when he began to give his en-
tire attention to the perfection and intro
duction of his patented inventions, which
occupation he followed for time sue
cessfully and established business
which continued to him substantial
ROYALTY, But the natural bent and incli-
nation of his mind was toward the realm
of politics. He was Democrat and a
recognized leader in his party. He was
elected justice of the peace at an early
age, and held the Office many consecu-
tive terms: was also town auditor. In
1877 he was elected Judge of Probate for
Bennington District, and was the first
Democratic incumbent in that Office to
succeed Hon. John r. Gates, after some
fourteen years of uninterrupted Repub-
lican administration. In the administra-
ton of his judicial trusts Judge Sim
mons displayed remarkable quickness of
perception, sound judgment, wise discre-
ton and unwaYering courage in the 10y
atty to his own convictions. Later he re-
ceived the nomination and ran as the
Democratic candidate for member of
Congress in his district. Shortly after
the Inauguration of President Cleveland
the subject of this sketch was rewarded
for his long and faithful service to the
public and his party by appointment as
special agent of the Treasury Depart
ment. He was assigned to duty at the
port of New York, where his labors were
arduous and hazardous and his response
bilities very grave. Here became more
apparent his extraordinary judicial abili-
ty and detective skill. He unearthed
many long practiced frauds against the
revenue laws in the importation of dia-
monds, precious stones and jewelry, val
liable pictures, upholstery, etc, brand
ing as smugglers some of the largest i'm
porters and dealers in New York, as we'll
as private individuals of national repu-
tation, largest wealth and highest social
rank. Personally, in the role of labor
contractor, he insinuated his way to the
innermost secrets of gigantic frauds
against the contract labor laws, and ex-
posed the whole scheme in the courts, to
his own imminent peril, very extended
account of which was published in the
New York World, speaking in high
praise of his official services and achieve
ments, and publishing Herewith his pic
ture to its readers. Judge Simmons
marked ability, integrity and faithful
ness as an officer in the general govern
ment were further recognized by his con-
tinuance in office well into the succeed
ing administration of President Harri-
son, and indeed he, if not the last, was
near the last of Cleveland's appOintees to
bid adieu to the Custom House. His
health had become seriously impaired be-
fore the termination of his official life by
its arduous duties and successive attacks
of the la Grippe, and later paralysis
claimed him for its victim; finally about
three weeks before his death there was
general breaking down of the vital pow
ers. He died the 9TH inst, at Philedal-
phia, at the home of Henry A. Wills,
whose daughter was his second wife and
survives him. His first wife was Sarah
E., daughter of the late Hiiam KoOn of
North Bennington, by whom he had two
children, who deceased at an early age.
There were no children of the second
marriage. The funeral was held from
the old Simmons homestead at North
Bennington, now occupied by H. Clay
ton Simmons, only surviving brother of
deceased, and the remains were inferred
in the family lot in North bennington
cemetery How faithfully he aided and
comforted his widowed mother, left with
large family of younger children, will
be well remembered by those acquainted
with the family in the sad days gone by.