New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-06

Simmons. being a well-to-do merchant of
that city. He WAS educated at the old
Troy Academy and at Williams College
being graduated from that institution in
1852 He then studied law at the Albany
Law School and was admitted to the bar
in 1883 For four years he practised his
profession in Troy and then moved to New
YORK City, where he entered the banking
business
In 1884. as the result of the failure of
some prominent banking institutions. q
panic broke out in Wall Street, and the
Stock Exchange became disorganized.
Those in charge agreed that there was only
one man who could bring order out nj
chaos and Mr. Simmons was called to the
presidency. He succeeded in making the
institution stronger than ever before in its
history, and brought its membership I'D to
eleven hundred He was twice reelected
president of the exchange. and was urged
TO accept the Office third time, but re-
fused
Saved Fourth National Bank
In 1855 he was called upon to cope with q
financial crisis in the Fourth National
Bank, which threatened to destroy it he
assumed the presidency and held the place
until his death. In 1881 Mayor Grace ap-
pointed him a member of the Board OF
Education, and for several terms he served
as president of the board. He paid spe-
cial attention 10 advancing the city s
higher educational interests, obtaining col
legiate standing for the Normal College
and broadening the scope of the College
Of the City of New York.
In politics Mr.. Simmons was a Democrat
and a warm friend Of Samuel J. Tilden.
He took an active part in bringing about
the election of Grover Cleveland to the
Presidency in 1884 and 1892 On several oc-
casions his name was favorably considered
for the mayoraIty nomination, but he did
not regard the idea with favor,
Nj Simmons was one Of the old-fash-
toned conservative bankers. He looked
upon his business as one Of trust, ana
avoided reckless promotion and the mis-
use Of banking facilities. He took the
Craftsmanship of the Board of Water Sup
ply in 1865 at the urgent request OF Mayor
Mcclellan as a personal favor. with the
full understanding that he would not be
able TO give the work his undivided atten-
ton. Later an attempt was made 70 dis
credit him for lack of proper attention TO
the duties of this office, and an invesrga-
ton was made by the Commissioners OF
Accounts by order of Mayor Mcclellan
Mr. Simmons promptly resigned from the
board. stating that as 2 member or II ne
vas una BILE properly to attend to his dupes
in the Fourth National Bank.
For ten years Mr.. Simmons was pres1-
dent OF the Panama Railroad COMPANY
He also served as president of the Column
bia Steamship Company. trustee OF the
Metropolitan Trust Company. director OF
the Bank for Savings, the Ann Arhor Kali
road Company, the National Surety Com
MANY the United States Casualty Com
INV and the Standard Milling Company
He was president of the New York Infant
ASYLUM, governor and treasurer of the New
York Hospital and a life trustee of Will
Jams College
Mr. Simmons was an active Free Mason
and IN 1883 was Grand Master of the State
Of New York He was a member OF the
University. the Metropolitan. the New
York Athletic the Lawyers, the Tuxedo
and the Democratic clubs.
In 1885 MI Simmons married Miss Jnlla
Greer. daughter of George Greer. who sur
vfves him His son. Joseph F. Simmons. is
treasurer of the TroW Printing and Dlrec-
tory Company.