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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 492-493]

    D. S. SIMMONS, proprietor of Simmons's livery and veterinary barn,
    Quimby, Iowa, has the distinction of being the first actual settler
    in Silver Township, Cherokee County.  He was born in Sullivan County,
    Pennsylvania, December 16, 1843, and is a son of JACOB and JANE (SONES)
    SIMMONS, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively.  Being
    reared to the occupation of a farmer he followed that pursuit until
    the breaking out of the late Civil War, when he enlisted in August,
    1862, in the One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer
    Infantry, Company K.  He was in the battles of Fredericksburg and
    Chancellorsville; in the latter he was wounded by a minie-ball, left
    on the field for dead, was taken prisoner, and paroled.  He was con-
    fined for some time to the hospital at Sulphur Srpings, Virginia, and
    afterward went home on a furlough.  Having rejoined his regiment he
    participated in the battles of Manassas Junction, Catlett's Station,
    the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, in the last of which he was wounded
    once in the left foot, and in the calf of the left leg; he was con-
    fined for some weeks to the hospitals in Philadelphia and Pittsburg.
    He again rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburgh, and was in
    the battle of Hatch's Run in which he was wounded twice, by a ball
    in the right foot, and a piece of shell in the right thigh.  He was
    again confined to the hospital for several weeks, and afterward
    rejoined his regiment before Richmond; he was present at the time of
    Lee's surrender, and participated in the Grand Review at Washington,
    District of Columbia.  Mr. SIMMONS returned to Sullivan County,
    Pennsylvania, having served his country valiantly and faithfully. He
    was married December 28, 1865, to Miss MARY S. SPERRY, a daughter of
    SAMUEL and MARY (PENNINGTON) SPERRY.  In 1868 our subject came to
    Silver Township, and resided there from that time until 1887; he
    improved his farm until it stands second to none in the township; his
    buildings are substantial and convenient structures, and a fine grove
    adds very much to the beauty of the place.  In the autumn of 1887 Mr.
    SIMMONS settled in Quimby and embarked in the hotel business; he is
    doing a profitable business and richly deserves the liberal patronage
    which he is receiving.  Mr. SIMMONS built the first livery barn in
    Quimby; it is well arranged, and generously supplied with good teams,
    buggies and carriages.  He makes a specialty of veterinary work.  His
    residence is one of the best in the town, and was erected at a cost of
    $1,500.  Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. SIMMONS; HARRY
    PAXTON, MILLIE LUVERNE, wife of W. H. SCOTT; DONZELLA R., wife of
    PHILIP RISLING; C. MERCUR, CORA DELL, NELLIE F. and MARY BELLE.
    Politically Mr. SIMMONS is a Republican; he has served his township
    as trustee, assessor, and is the present justice of the peace. He is
    a member of General Custer Post, No. 25, G.A.R., and of Cherokee Lodge,
    No. 188, I.O.O.F.  He is a man of a frank and jovial disposition, ever
    ready to serve his fellow-men, and has the confidence and respect of
    the entire community.

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