The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-11-16
WIDELY KNOWN ON LAKES
Had Been Resident Of Kenosha Since
1868 and Had Been Leader in Lake
Commerce at Many Lake Points
Had Been Long in Feeble Health.
(From Wednesdays Daily.)

Captain Robert Symmonds, aged 50
years, the last Of the pioneer lake cap
tains Of Kenosha and one of the last
of the men who were active in build
ing up lake commerce on the west
shore of Lake Michigan, died at his
home on Evergreen street just after s
clock this morning.
A year ago last January he was
stricken with paralysis and since that
time he had been in feeble health and
for the past five weeks he had been
confined to his bed. The end was not
unexpected.
The death of Captain Symmonds
marks the passing of man who had
been very active in the life Of Kenosha
for a period Of nearly fifty years and
in that long period he had contributed
much to the advancement of the city.
He was not only . master sailor but he
was the owner Of many Of the sailing
vessels which formerly sailed from Ke
nosha as a home port. Notable among
the ships were the Sea North, the Con-
test and the Wolverine, the last boat
which Captain Symmonds sailed. He
returned from the lakes in 1899 after
a service as sailor of more than sixty
years and since that time he had lived
retired life, spending his summers at
his home in Kenosha and his winters
in Florida.
Captain symmonds was born on the
Isle of Purbic in the province of Dor
chester, England, just a little ways.
from the village of Weymouth where
his wife was born. He was apprentieed
as sailor when he was fourteen years
of age. On the breaking out of the
war between Russia and England he
served as a soldier in the army of
Great Britain and after the war, at the
age of twenty years, he came to, this
country and settled at New Orleans.
He came to the lakes in 1854 and set
tied at Chicago. He at once purchased
schooner and started in the lake
trade. He continued in the business
until his retirement in 1899.
Captain Symmonds was married in
Chicago on August 4, 1862, to Miss
Phillis Wey Jacobs of Port Washing
ton and on their wedding trip they
went to Holland, Mich, where they
settled and where they resided until
1868 when they came to Kenosha. They
since have made their home in Kenosha.
Captain Symmonds. was one of the
Oldest members of the Odd Fellows or
der in Fenosha. He joined the order
IN 1873 and was long active in its work.
He is survived by his widow, two
daughters and five sons. The children
are Mrs. Martha S. Mcconnell of Phil
adelphia; Major Charles J. Symmonds,
.. S. A., who is now supposed to be in
the Philippine Islands but who may be
on his way to the States; William r.
Symmonds and Robert Symmonds, Jr.,
Of Los Angeles; Frank S. Symmonds
and Miss Lizzie A. Symmonds of Ke-
nosha and Seth Symmonds of Chicago.
No arrangements have as yet been
made for the funeral. Efforts are be-
ing made to locate Major Symmonds
through the war department and the
time of the funeral will not be an
nounced until these efforts are success
full.
Captain symmonds took a great in
terest in the development of Kenosha
and contributed much to its advance
ment. To those who knew him in his
private life the announcement of his
death will come as a personal sorrow.