Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1896-04-10
PIONEER CONE.
Hon. J. Simmons Passes Away
at st. Gabriel's Hospital on
Easter Morning.

The death of Jonathan Simmons.
which occurred about one O'Clock
Sunday morning, April 5, 1896. ut st.
liabrieI'I hospital. removes another
pioneer of Little Fails and Morrison
county. His life record, though
short when measured in years.
makes a most cOmmenlable show
ing when viewed in its connection
with the general development OF
our community during the past
quarter of century. His first III
PRODUCTION to cOminercinl life was "a
cfrcumstantial opportunity which
fortunately gave him a good start
financially. aud through special
favor and good fortune, h. rapid,
acquired position, means and influ.
ence. Going t" Louisiana in 1869 t"
take care Uf his fathers cotton bust
ness and affairs. he soon manifested
his business worth, and III Il II"
years returned north. bringing with
him sufficient means to engage IN
business here; also came with his
wife, who was Miss Charlotte Sparks
of st. Louis. Entering into the gen
eral merchandise trade, he soon be
came a leader. esta blishing Il reputa-
ton for enterprise and success at i"
higher mark than the average trades
man ever reaches. lie was a pOpu-
lar favorite with the Chippewa H.
dams and dealt with them for years,
exchanging supplies for immense
quantities of iurs. His public spirit
was another mark Of Gistinct ton,
and many are the substantial i'm
pruvements around US today stand
ing monuments to his work. Hi~
political history shows again that
one marked characteristic OF his
whole career-nntiring energy and
ambition. Elected to the Minnesota
Senate in 1873. he served four years,
during which time he secured the
swamp land grant lin February,
1884, to eid in the construction Of
the Little Falls & Dakota railroad,
which has been of iuestima table val
ue to his locality. He also served as
mayor Of our city and was for sever
al years city justice. In all his deal
ings and transactions he kept upper
most the brightest hopes, and often
times succeeded when less hopeful
men would almost certainly have
failed. At one time Ills star Of SUE
cess shone brightly, his business
fiOurished, and he was surrounded
by friends and all the comforts OBJ
tainable. Tie tables turned, and ILL
fortune followed. Gradully the re-
verse action changed his condition
and at the time of his death, his
property and means were exhaust
ed, all except the thousands Of dol
lars OF worthless book accounts and
unsecured notes which accumula ted
during the time Of prosperous busi-
ness, when he was free, easy and
generous to fault. About a year
ago he bade his friends here good
bye and left for the south. hoping to
again get on his teet. He was un-
successful, and early in Decembrrlast
was taken down. His condition be-
came alarming and he was urged to
return north. Arriving here the 2Oth
OF March, he was very weak and
very little hope could be entertained
for him, although he felt encouraged
and did not 80 to the hospital until
within one week before death. Dur
ing his last days and hours, his
sister, Mrs. A. Tanner, and brothers,
Chas. &. Simmons and Frank B.
Simmons. were with him, and he
passed away quietly and happily.
Born at Lafayette, Medina county,
Ohio, March 20, 1850, he was aged
only 4G years and Z days. The re-
mains will rest in Oakland cemetery
beside those Of his wife and their on
~ child.
The funeral services were held at
the Episcopal church at 2:30 Monday
afternoon, Rev. Joss officiating. A
large attendance was at the church,
including many of the older citizens
of this community. and long pro-
cessiOn followed the remains to the
grave.
Council Proceedings.