The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-11-02
Photograph G. A. r. post at ceme-
terry May 80, 1898.

Photograph 6. A. r. post at Gene
terry May 80, 1898.
Copper cent of 1899.
Blue Book of Wisconsin 1899.
Photograph State Senator John F.
Reynolds.
Photographs of three views of Main
street.
AT the close of the ceremonies Rev.
Rob1ee presented to Mr.. Simmons the
following resolutions which were
passed by the post in honor of the
event:
The members of Fred S. Lowell post,
No. 23O, Department of Wisconsin,
G. A. r., speaking for themselves and
for all the men of Kenosha county,
who from 1861 to 1865, fought for the
perpetuity of this American Union,
desire to record their deep gratitude to
Z. @. Simmons, who, entirely at his
own expense, is erecting on our public
park, an imposing granite monument
SIN honor of the brave men of Keno
sha county who VIGOROUSLY defended
the Union on land and sea during the
war of the great rebe11ion-1861-1865 -
This is not the manifestation of a
ftfu1 impulse of declining years.
This act of magnificent 1ibera1ity is
but the symmetrical elimination of
Mr.. Simmons enduring friend1iness to
the American volunteer soldier for
these many years.
It is matter of record that in the
trying days from 81 to Eos, when
money was needed to equip the recruits
going to the front and to care for their
helpless families left behind Mr.. Sim.
mons liberal hand always gave freely
of his abundance.
The soldiers widows, their orphans
the decrepit veterans themselves, their
name is legion, who all these thirty
eight years have been the recipients OF
his quiet generosity.
Years ago he decided to this post a
spacious cemetery lot, and erected
thereon pedestal of Scotch granite,
surmounted by the 1ife-size figure of a
volunteer infantryman.
1t seems also fitting and proper that
we, as citizens of Kenosha county
aside from our individuality as citi-
zen so1diers), should express apprecia-
ton of Mr.. Simmons kindness to the
whole people.
There is hardly a church organiza-
ton in the entire county regardless of
creed or nationality, that has not been
literally assisted by him, to build the
edifce, to pay off the old debt, or to buy
new furnishings.
He has contributed the lions share
for the equipment and establishment
of the Old Settlers grounds where are
gathered, each recurring year, thous-
ands of men, women and children
from all over Kenosha county.
And now comes the browning act of
benefcence in the erection and equip
ment of beautiful Public Library as
a memorial to his son. the late Gilbert
M. Simmons, our highly respected fell
low citizen, who was taken from us in
the prime of life and at the zenith of
usefulness.
This building, with capacity of
$4,000 volumes, shall be open to the
public seven days in the week, a
fountain-head of education, culture
and civilizing infunce, for all time to
come, and it's advantages may be en-
joyed, without money and without
price," by every man woman and child
to the renotest corner of Kenosha
county.
For this priceless privilege and for
all other things herein enumerated,
the citizens of Kenosha city and
county are indebted to Mr.. Simmons,
and this Grand Army post, fraterna1
band of the surviving remnant of those
whom Mr.. Simmons so highly honors
by his beautiful, enduring monument,
esteen1s it a duty and pleasure to
make this grateful acknowledgement
and therefore adopts the foregoing as
the unanimous sentiment of the mem
bers, and orders that copy be placed
in the cornerstone of the Soldiers
monument, that another be furnished
for publication, and that a third be
transmitted to Mr.. Simmons.