Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 279 - 280  

C. W. SIMMONS, a skillful farmer and stock-raiser, lives on the north half of the northwest quarter of section 20, Kechi Township, where he carries on the various departments of his calling with marked success. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Green County, Dec. 8, 1847. He was the third in a family of fourteen children, the offspring of C. J. and Mary (Allison) Simmons, who were natives respectively of North Carolina and Illinois. His father removed from his native State to Wisconsin when a young man, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

     Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the public schools of his native State. Having so many brothers and sisters, his assistance at home was not especially needed, and he resolved to start out in life for himself, and desiring to see something of Kansas, came to this county in the fall of 1870. He pre-empted 160 acres of land in Minneha Township, but after a short stay there disposed of it and removed to Colwell, where he remained a few months. In 1872 he purchased a claim of 160 acres in Kechi Township, but soon afterward sold at a profit and bought eighty acres partly improved elsewhere. An opportunity for disposing of that advantageously also occurred, and our subject exchanged it for eighty acres lying south of the land he now occupies, then buying eighty acres, now included in the homestead, he disposed of his property previously purchased, and commenced the improvement of his present farm, where he has put up a good dwelling and other substantial farm buildings. From time to time he has added to his original purchase, until now he has a farm of 240 acres of highly cultivated land, eighty acres of which are in Valley Center Township. He has devoted much of his time and attention to stock-raising, having many cattle of common breed, but in good condition. His horses are roadsters of a high grade. 

     The subject of our sketch was united in marriage with Miss Parilee Dadisman, in Wichita, Kan., Sept. 21, 1873. Mrs. Simmons was born in Kentucky, Nov. 7, 1856, being the eldest of a family of eleven children born to her parents, George and Sarah (Summers) Dadisman. The latter were both natives of Kentucky, but soon after their marriage removed to Morgan County, Ill., where they remained fifteen years, then moved to Kansas, and located first on a farm north of Wichita, then moved on a farm south of Wichita, where they have since resided. 

     To Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have been born four children, namely: Daisy Estella, Lillie Pearl, Durward Calvin and Georgiana. This pleasant home circle has been broken by the hand of death, and Georgiana, the youngest, after a brief life of one year, eleven months and ten days, was taken from earth, and thus early escaped its trials and tribulations, exchanging them for a brighter and better existence. 

     More home-like seems the vast unknown

       Since she has entered there;

     To follow her were not so hard,

       Wherever she may fare;

     She cannot be where God is not,

       On any sea or shore;

     Whate'er betides Thy love abides,

       Our God, forevermore. 

     Mrs. Simmons is an esteemed member of the Presbyterian Church, of Wichita. Mr. Simmons does not take an active part in politics, but uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party. He has been for some years Township Clerk and is still faithfully and satisfactorily filling that position. He is a member of the United Workmen, of Wichita, and is universally respected as an honest man and good citizen. 

     The home surroundings of Mr. Simmons and his family are given in miniature on another page, and form a picture pleasing to contemplate.

[ Home ]