SIMMONS FAMILY HISTORY
Generation
Number
1. William Simmons b. June 18, 1796 in Rensselaer County, New York. His father was Scottish and
his mother was German. He enlisted in the War of 1812 at Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, on
August 23, 1814. He mustered out at White Hall, Washington Co., NY on October 28, 1814
because there was news of peace. The war actually ended in 1815. By 1826 William bought
land in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, NY. The NY 1835 census shows William owning 64
acres in Rotterdam, 10 cattle, 3 horses, and 9 hogs. About 1836 the Simmons family moved to
Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY and bought land for a farm. In 1850 the wheat crops in the area
were destroyed by a plague of midges. This could be why the family moved to Michigan. In
1852 the family settled on 80 acres in Berlin Twp., Ionia County, Michigan. At some time, the
State of New York awarded William (listed as living in Portland, MI) $12 for his service in the
War of 1812. The 1860 census shows William and Betsey living with Polly and Able and Alvira.
William’s farm is valued at $3,300. In 1869 William was issued some land near Pontiac, MI for
his service in the War of 1812. He sold it to the lawyer who had obtained it for him. The 1870
census shows William and Betsey in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co. William d. April 4 or 5, 1872 in
Berlin Twp. He is buried in Balcom Cemetery, Ionia Co.
1. Betsey Ives Simmons b. July 29, 1797 in Rensselaer Co., NY. Her father was possibly a German
soldier and her mother was (rumored to be) a full-blooded American Indian from New York
State. The 1880 census states, however, that Betsey’s parents were both born in Vermont.
Betsey married William Simmons in Rensselaer County, New York. Her first four children, all
boys, were born in that county between 1816 and 1821. The 1870 census tells us that Betsey
couldn’t read or write. She d. Feb. 24, 1871 in Berlin Twp. of dropsy. She is buried next
to her husband in Balcom Cemetery.
2. William W. Simmons (first child) b. May 27, 1816 in Troy, NY or MA. He m. Ascenath Siscom (b.
1823 in NY to San Siscom [b. 1786 in NY] and Abigal Siscom [b. 1801in VT]) on Aug. 11,
1844 by Sparrow S. Sage, Justice of the Peace, in Pekin, Niagara County, NY. He was listed as
a farmer in the 1850 and 1860 NY censuses. William stayed in NY after the rest of the family
moved to MI. Ascenath d. of consumption in Aug. 16, 1869 in Niagara County, NY. She is
probably buried in Col. John F. Sweeney Cemetery, North Tonawanda, Niagara County, NY. In
spring of 1870 he sold two small lots in Tonawanda and moved to Ionia, MI where he bought 40
acres and a team of horses. He d. Oct. 11, 1898 and is buried in Balcom Cemetery.
William pension papers on file at National Archives???
3. Alma A. Simmons (son) b. about 1845 in Pekin, Niagara County, NY or Tonawanda, Erie
County, NY. He served in the Civil War and probably died in Saulsbury Prison.
3. George W. Simmons b. about 1847 in Pekin, Niagara County, NY or Tonawanda, Erie
County, NY. He m. Emma Clark (b. 1849 or 1850 in Ypsilanti, MI) on Aug. 18, 1885 in
Muir, MI. Rev. D.C. Nauselman performed the ceremony and Levi Clark and Julia
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Wheelock, both of Ionia township, were the witnesses. At the time of their marriage,
both George and Emma were living in Ionia township. George was a gardener.
3. Mary Janett Simmons b. about 1849 in Pekin, Niagara County, NY or Tonawanda, Erie
County, NY.
3. Alfred H. Simmons b. 1855 in Pekin, Niagara County, NY or Tonawanda, Erie County,
NY. He m. Emma J. White (b. 1865 in MI) on Dec. 20, 1881 in Ionia City. Rev. John
Donnelly performed the ceremony and Murray L. and Sarah L. Pike of Ionia were the
witnesses. Both Alfred and Emma resided in Ionia City at the time of their marriage.
Alfred was a painter.
3. Nellie A. Simmons b. 1857 in Pekin, Niagara County, NY or Tonawanda, Erie County,
NY. She married Isaac P. Hoag (b. 1856 in MI) on Dec. 22, 1880 in Ionia City. Rev.
John Donnelly performed the ceremony and William W. and Jennie B. Simmons of Ionia
were the witnesses. Both Nellie and Isaac resided in Ionia at the time of their marriage.
Isaac was a miller.
William’s second marriage was to Jennie B. Siscom (b. 1837 or 1838 in Niagara Falls, NY) in
Ionia City on Aug. 14, 1877. Rev. John Donnelly performed the ceremony and Addie Donnelly
and Ida Siscom, both of Ionia, were the witnesses. William and Jennie were both of Ionia
township at the time of their marriage. William was a farmer. William d. Oct. 11, 1898 in
Alaska, Kent County, MI. His daughter Nellie took care of him in his last illness. He is buried
in Balcom Cemetery in Ionia County. His headstone is marked “Father” and he is near his
parents.
2. Asa W. Simmons (second child and second son) b. Nov. 29, 1817. Asa d. May 19, 1819.
2. George L. Simmons (third child and third son) b. Sept. 28, 1819. George d. May 19, 1829.
2. Lyman Simmons (fourth child and fourth son) b. July 13, 1821 in Rensselaer Co., NY. He m. Anna
Elizabeth Kelley (b. March 19, 1825 in Livingston Co., NY to Hugh and Annie Kelley, both of
the New England area) on April 3, 1842 or April 3, 1843 in Niagara Co, NY. He moved to
Berlin Twp. before his parents did, around 1849. His wife, two small children and possibly his
brother Leonard F. Simmons went with him. Lyman bought 160 acres in the western half of the
eastern half of section 11 of Berlin Twp. and became a prosperous farmer, later owning 400 acres
of land. In 1850 Lyman was in Berlin Twp. with Ann, Amelia, Nelson and Lemuel, who is listed
as being a 25 year old farmer born in NY. In 1860 Lyman and Annie’s family included Amelia,
Nelson, Scott, Frederick Anna E., and Mary J. Anderson, a 23 year old servant, born in
Michigan. The 1870 census lists the value of Lyman’s real estate as $10,500. Lyman and Jane’s
home in 1870 included Nelson, Scott, Frederick, Anna E., Ida and Nellie. Anna (Lyman’s wife)
d. Dec. 8, 1858 in Berlin Twp. and is buried in Balcom Cemetery. Lyman was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and held offices in the church. In 1878 he started renting his farm
to his sons, and moved into town. He d. May 15, 1900 in Ionia City of heart disease. He is
buried in Balcom Cemetery with his daughter Nellie and all three of his wives.
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3. Amelia Simmons b. June 18, 1846 in Niagara Co., NY. She m. Emory Griswold (b. 1841) on
May 15, 1864 in Orange Twp. by Benjamin Shilton, Justice of the Peace. Amelia and
Emory were both of Berlin township at the time of their wedding. James Galloway of
Berlin township and Hannah Shilton of Orange township served as witnesses. Amelia d.
1905.
4. Vernando Griswold
4. Inice M. Griswold
4. Milton or Myron M. Griswold
3. Nelson Simmons b. May 31, 1848 or 1849 in Niagara Co., NY. He m. Emeretta R. Gibson
(b. May 1853 in PA) on Oct. 25, 1871 in Ionia by Rev. D.F. Barnes. Both Nelson and
Emeretta were living in Berlin township, and Nelson was a farmer at the time of his
marriage. Lyman and Jane E. Simmons of Berlin were the witnesses. Nelson later
inherited his father’s farm after Lyman died. In 1880 Nelson and Emeretta were living in
Berlin Twp. Also living with them was Mary Millard, Emeretta’s mother, who was born
in 1804 in PA or NY. Mary’s parents were also born in PA, as was Emeretta’s father.
In 1900 Nelson and Emeretta were housing Lena M. Simmons, a niece, who was b. June
1887 in MI to parents who were born in MI. Nelson d. July 8, 1921 and willed the farm
to both his sons. He died of “dilation of the heart”. Emeretta d. 1926. Both Nelson and
Emeretta are buried in Balcom Cemetery in Ionia Co.
4. Vernon Leroy Simmons b. March 25, 1875 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. He m.
Nettie Anna Fleming (b. Dec. 31, 1871 in Berlin township to Robert Fleming and
Maria Green) on Oct. 23, 1890 in Orange Twp. Rev. William J. Wilson
performed the ceremony and Albert Hinds and Ettie Benedict, both of Orange,
were the witnesses. At the time of their marriage, Nettie lived in Orange township
and Vernon was a farmer in Berlin township. Vernon d. June 26, 1937 of angina
pectoris in Berlin Twp. and is buried in Balcom cemetery. Nettie d. Aug. 13,
1958 in Berlin Twp. of heart disease and is buried next to her husband. At the
time of her death Nettie resided in Berlin Twp.
5. Harold Eldon Simmons b. Oct. 23, 1900 in Berlin Twp. He m. Frances Shaw.
Harold obtained the farm after Vernon and Lyman J. died and was a
farmer for his entire life. He lived in Berlin Township. Harold d. April 8,
1966 of a blood clot in his heart and is buried by his parents in Balcom
Cemetery. After Harold died Frances remarried to Mr. Willits and moved
to Nashville, MI. Frances d. after 1966.
6. Carl Simmons
He owned 3 acres of the original farm.
6. Marilyn Simmons She m. Richard Hotchkiss. After Harold died, they
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bought the farm from Frances.
5. Harriet Simmons
4. Lyman J. Simmons b. Jan. 3, 1878 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. In 1900 Lyman was
living with his parents. He m. Nellie G. Bover (b. May 7, 1877 in Erie Co., PA to
Charles Bover and Elmyra Smith of PA) on June 11, 1902 in Orange township.
Rev. J.W. Ayling performed the ceremony and Mrs. Emeretta R. Simmons of
Berlin and Mrs. L.M. Ames of Orange were the witnesses. Lyman was a farmer
in Berlin township and Nellie was a dressmaker in Orange township at the time of
their wedding. Nellie d. Feb. 8, 1939 in Orange Twp. of pelvic and abdominal
cancer. She is buried in Balcom Cemetery. Lyman’s second wife was Katherine
Hosberg Hummel (b. Aug. 25, 1876 in Easton Twp., Ionia Co. to Joseph Hosberg
and Mary Louise Bond) of Ionia. Lyman d. Feb. 7, 1958 at Memorial Hospital in
Ionia of inflammation of the heart. He is buried next to his first wife in Balcom
Cemetery. At the time of his death, Lyman was married and living in Ionia.
Katherine d. Oct. 20, 1958 in Ionia of heart disease and arteriosclerosis. At the
time of her death, Katherine was living in Ionia. She was buried in Tuttle
Cemetery in Ionia County.
5. (Second wife’s daughter from a previous marriage) Fay Hummel. In 1958 she
was living in Ionia.
3. Scott Simmons b. Oct. 14, 1852 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. He m. Francis Benedict
(b. 1859 or 1860 in Orange township) on April 23, 1878 in Orange township. Rev.
Arthur J. Wheeler performed the ceremony and Drusilla Benedict and Elsie Wolverton,
both of Orange township, were the witnesses. Scott was a farmer living in Orleans
township at the time of his wedding, and Francis resided in Orange township. Scott d.
1920.
4. Oscar S. Simmons Might be the Oscar Simmons that is buried in Balcom Cemetery
(1881-1943) with wife Elnora (1891-1937) and Baby Lawrence (1925).
5.
Frances Elnora Simmons b. April 9, 1921 and d. April 21, 1921 in Ionia
Twp. She d. of a cerebral hemorrhage.
5. Leonard Edward Simmons b. and d. Oct. 5, 1927 in Berlin Twp. He was 15
minutes old.
4. Walter Simmons
4. Charles Simmons
4. Nettie? Simmons
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3. Frederick L. Simmons b. May 3, 1856 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. He married Josephine
(Josie) A. Gibson (b. 1855 in Irving, Barry Co., MI) on Dec. 17, 1877 in Berlin township.
Rev. A.J. Wheeler performed the ceremony and Lyman and Jane E. Simmons of Berlin
were the witnesses. Frederick was a farmer at the time of his wedding, and both he and
Josephine resided in Berlin township. Josephine’s parents were born in Pennsylvania. In
1880 Fred and Josephine were living in Berlin Twp. Josephine died Oct. 10, 1888 and is
buried in Balcom Cemetery. Frederick’s second wife was Ellen E. She d. June 14, 1896
and is buried in Balcom Cemetery. Frederick’s third marriage was to Amelia E. (b.
1879). Frederick d. 1932 and Amelia d. 1956. Both are buried in Balcom Cemetery.
4. Magna M. Simmons
4. Mamie Simmons
4. Ray Simmons
4. Lena May Simmons b. June 15, 1887 in Montcalm Co., MI. She never married. In
1900 she was living with Uncle Nelson and Aunt Emeretta Simmons. Lena d.
Nov. 11, 1947 of a cerebral hemorrhage in Grand Rapids, MI. At the time of her
death Lena was a clerk. She is buried in Balcom Cemetery by Nelson and
Emeretta.
4. Roy Simmons
4. Easter Simmons
4. Adelbert Simmons
He could have married Golden F. Ward (b. Feb. 2, 1907 to
Thomas Ward and Eliza Peavy) who d. Oct. 25, 1971 in Ionia County Memorial
Hospital of cerebral arteriosclerosis. She was married to a Adelbert Simmons
when she died and they were living in Sheridan Village, Montcalm Co. at the
time.
4. Opal Simmons
4. Leona Simmons b. 1909 and d. 1910. She is buried in Balcom Cemetery.
3. Anna Elizabeth Simmons b. Nov. 30, 1858 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. She m. Chauncey
C. Moon (b. 1855 or 1856 in Erie Co., PA) on Sept. 30, 1880 in Ionia City. Rev.
Washington Gardner performed the ceremony and Lyman and Jane Simmons of Ionia
were the witnesses. Chauncey was a farmer and resided in Orange township at the time
of the wedding. Anna lived in Ionia (township?). Hattie (Moon) Simmons is Chauncey’s
sister. Anna d. 1937.
4. Charles Arthur Moon
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4. Arlie Eunice Moon
4. Johnnie Jay Moon
4. Lillie Sophie Moon
4. Wilber Mathan Moon
4. Irwin Henry Moon
4. Irvin Brown Moon
4. Walter Nathan Moon
4. George DeWitt Moon Sr.
5. Geneva Moon in April 1975 she was living in Ionia.
5. George DeWitt Moon Jr.
4. Nina Amelia Moon In April 1975 she was living in Ionia.
4. Lula Anne Moon In 1975 she was living in Ionia.
In 1861, Lyman remarried to Jane E. Millard (b. Jan. 19, 1839 in NY) of Barry, MI. Jane d.
Feb. 10, 1890 of consumption in Berlin Twp. She is buried in Balcom Cemetery with Lyman
and his other wives.
3. Ida A. Simmons b. July 3, 1862 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. She m. Oscar E. Jennings
(b. 1862 or 1863 in Campbell [township?] to E.D. Jennings and Esther Burroughs) on
Oct. 2, 1889 at Ida’s parents’ home. Albert Smith, an elder in the M.E. Church,
performed the ceremony. Lyman and Jane E. Simmons of Berlin were the witnesses.
Oscar was a farmer in Campbell (township?) at the time of the wedding. Ida and Oscar
had no children. Ida d. 1921.
3. Nellie A. Simmons b. July 14, 1864 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. She never
married. Nellie d. May 10, 1881 of consumption of the lungs.
Lyman’s third marriage was to Clarissa J. (Wolverton) Bates (b. March 27, 1832 in NY to John
Wolverton) on Oct. 29, 1890 in Okemos, MI by a Methodist minister, Rev. N. E. Gibbs. Clarissa
lived in Rockford, Montcalm Co. at the time of the marriage. She had been married once before.
The witnesses were Fred Simmons of Sheridan and Pauline Simmons of Okemos. Clarissa d.
April 2, 1892. She is buried in Balcom Cemetery with Lyman and his other wives.
2. Edward Simmons (fifth son and fifth child) b. Oct. 24, 1823 or Oct. 24, 1824 in Rotterdam,
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Schenectady County, New York. He m. Betsey E. Weed (b. March 5 or March 18, 1820 or
1822, probably in NY but possibly in “Anntucket” or “Tucket Town”) on Aug. 9, 1848 in
Niagara Co., NY. In 1850 Edward, Betsey and 1 year old Edwin were living in Wheatfield,
Niagara Co., NY. In Oct. 1853 William Simmons deeded 40 acres of his land in Berlin Twp.,
Ionia Co. MI to Edward and Betsey and in 1856 William deeded another 40 acres. Edward was a
farmer. The 1860 census shows Edward and Betsey living with their children Edwin, Charles,
George, Warren and Sarah in Berlin Twp. Sometime about 1865 Edward and Betsey separated.
Betsey took with her the two youngest children, Sarah J. and Henry Nathaniel. Edwin, Charles,
George and Warren remained with Edward. Sarah and Henry remained with their mother until
their marriages but of the older boys, only Charles was still with his father in 1870. Edwin was
married, Warren was “working out”, and George’s whereabouts are unknown. There is no record
of Edward and Betsey’s divorce in Ionia, Kent, Montcalm or Clinton counties.
3. Edwin W. Simmons b. Aug. 23, 1849 in Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY. Edwin was a farmer.
He m. between 1865 and 1870. In 1870 he was residing in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI.
He could have married Nettie Simmons (b. 1848 or 1849 in NY) of Boston Twp. on
Oct. 14, 1868 in Ionia. Justice of the Peace Henry D. Mitchell performed the ceremony
and Isabella Collin and Mrs. Mark Shawwn of Ionia were the witnesses. The only
problem with this theory is that the marriage record states that Edwin was born in 1843 or
1844 and was from Boston Twp.
4. Holly S. Simmons
4. Thaddeus Simmons
4. Florence Simmons
4. Mable Simmons
3. Charles Leonard (“Len”) Simmons b. Nov. 21, 1850 in Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY. He
married his step-sister, Millison (Millie) Hall, who was born in MI. Charles d. 1929.
4. Harry Albertus Simmons
4. Bertha Elizabeth Simmons
4. Harvey Samuel Simmons b. Sept. 4, 1878 in MI. He was a farmer. Harvey d.
Nov. 16, 1924 of tuberculosis in Ionia Twp. He was married when he died.
4. Harley Charles Simmons
4. Hattie Maria Lorena Simmons
4. Eli Edwin (Ervin) Simmons
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4. Clara Louise Simmons She had straight jet black hair and ruddy skin, and had
knowledge of woodland lore. She m. Mr. Jesiek.
5. Marcia Jesiek She m. Louis Eisenberg
6. John Eisenberg
5. Roma Jesiek She m. Hugh Nowak.
6. Robert Nowak
In 1999 he was living in Grand Rapids, MI.
6. Maria Nowak
5. Charles Jesiek
4. Frankie Evelin (Ervine) Simmons
4. John Herrison Simmons
(parent?)
5. Verley Sutton Elmendorf (daughter)
(parent?)
5. Flossie Lockwood Batstra
(parent?)
5. Oscar Lockwood
3. George W. Simmons b. Feb. 13, 1855 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI.
3. Warren W. Simmons b. Aug. 9, 1857 at Murray Lake, Kent Co., MI or March 27, 1858 in
NY (per death record). He was a farmer and married Hester of MI. Warren d. Dec. 3,
1936 in Grand Rapids, MI of a stroke. At the time of his death he was married.
4. Ray Simmons
4. Maude Simmons b. Jan. 1, 1876 in Kent Co., MI. She never married. Maude d.
Jan. 8, 1942 in Boston Twp., Ionia Co. of a “questionable cerebral accident”.
4. Mirtie Simmons
4. Mary Simmons
4. Ida Simmons
4. Dewey Simmons
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4. Edna Simmons
4. Emily Jane Simmons
She m. E. W. Gunderman. They lived in Lake Odessa, MI
and Bradenton, FL. Emily d. before April 1975.
4. Mae Simmons
3. Sarah J. Simmons b. Sept. 5, 1858 or 1859 in Clinton Co., MI.
3. Henry Nathaniel Simmons b. Jan. 9, 1860 or 1861 in Lowell, Kent Co., MI. He m. Melissa.
In 1900 he was living in Lansing with Melissa and his mother. He d. 1951.
4. Cora M. Simmons
4. Nina Belle Simmons
4. Nancy Margaret (Margaret) Simmons b. 1888 or 1889
4. Nora Mae Simmons
4. Tola Simmons
4. Kittie Simmons
4. Leo William Simmons
5. Ruth Simmons
Odessa, MI.
He m. Katherine.
She m. Mr. Hyatt. In April 1975 she was living in Lake
Between 1865 and 1870 Betsey Weed Simmons married Samuel Hall (b. 1810), farmer and
wagonmaker. Samuel was a widower who had lost his wife, Gemima, after bringing his family
to Michigan from Monroe, Orange Co., NY. In 1870 Samuel and Betsey were living in DeWitt
Twp., Clinton Co., MI. With them were Millison Hall (daughter, b. 1857), and Sarah and Henry
Simmons. All three children attended school during the year. Betsey probably died in 1900.
Her tombstone in DeWitt Cemetery, Clinton Co., is dated 1820-1899. However, the 1900
Federal census for Lansing, Ingham Co. lists Betsey, born 1822 in NY, widow, mother of 6 living
children in the household of Melissa and Henry M. Simmons.
Edward’s second marriage was to Julia A. (Mount) Biggs (b. 1842) on April 30, 1867 in Lowell,
MI, by Rev. Nathan Mount. The witnesses were Albert S. and Julia A. Mount. Both Edward and
Julia resided in Boston Twp., Ionia Co. at the time of their marriage. They continued to reside in
Boston Twp., but at the time of the 1880 census they were in Vergennes Twp., Kent Co., on a
farm near what is now Fallasburg Park. Edward owned 60 acres in the southwest quarter of
section 12 of Vergennes Twp, Kent Co. Besides Edward’s sons, Julia’s children, Eliza and
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Charles, were also living with them. Edward d. Jan. 6, 1901 in Vergennes Twp., Kent Co. Julia
A. Simmons d. 1919 and is buried in Elton Cemetery, Kent Co.
2. Hulahaan Simmons (first daughter and sixth child) b. Aug. 28, 1825. She d. Sept. 29, 1844.
2. Leonard F. Simmons (sixth son and seventh child) b. Jan. 17, 1827 in Rotterdam (which was called
First Ward of Schenctady), Schenectady County, New York. He possibly moved to Michigan
with his brother Lyman in 1849, as he is not listed with his parents in the 1850 Niagara County
census. He did buy land from Lyman in 1850. Leonard m. Elizabeth Moore in 1856 by a Justice
of the Peace in the town of Berlin, Ionia Co. His occupation is listed as a carpenter. Leonard
served in the Civil War from Aug. 12, 1862 to June 8, 1865 as a private in Company I, 21st
Michigan Infantry. He was mustered in at Camp Sigel, Ionia, MI. He was described as: farmer,
age 35, blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion, 5 feet 8 inches tall. The company marched to
Bowling Green, Kentucky, where Leonard was taken ill. His colonel took Leonard to the
hospital on his own horse as Leonard was too weak to walk. At different times, Leonard was
listed as “detached to serve as Provost Guard”, “on duty hewing out timbers” or “detailed as a
pioneer at Division Headquarters”. Leonard mustered out at Washington, D.C. on June 8, 1865
and was honorably discharged in Detroit, MI. He received a pension for his service, which in
1906 was increased to $24 a month. Leonard and Elizabeth divorced in Sept. 1865. After the
divorce, Leonard did not see his daughter. He was unable to remember her name at the time of
his war pension application. In 1870 Leonard was living in Portland Village.
3. Arthur A. Simmons b. 1857 in Berlin Twp. He d. the following year, aged 1 year, 1 month, 1
day. He is buried in Balcom Cemetery in Ionia Co.
3. (daughter) Simmons b. Aug. 1, 1862 in Berlin Twp.
Leonard’s second marriage was to Harriet (Hattie) L. Moon or Moore (b. 1846 in PA) on
Dec. 16, 1874 in Ionia by Rev. Henry M. Joy. Leonard was from Berlin township and Hattie was
from Orange township. Leonard was a mechanic at the time of his wedding. Alfred A. Amby of
Ionia and Ada J. Ranelule of Berlin were the witnesses. For a while Leonard and Harriet lived in
Everet, Osceola Co., MI. They did not have any children. In 1884 Leonard was in Juliaetta, Nez
Perce Territory, Idaho. Harriet d. March 28, 1886. In 1900 a Robert Moon (b. Oct. 1862 in NY)
lived in the same boarding house as Leonard in Idaho. Living on the same street were Fred M.
Young, 24 and wife Olga M., 18, born in Idaho. Fred was the son of Leonard’s sister Hester
Lydia and John W. Young. The 1900 census mistakenly lists Leonard as Louis Simmons. He
was living at Collins and Mary A. Perryman’s boarding house on State St. in Juliaetta, Latah Co.,
Idaho. Leonard had been a farmer, carpenter, mechanic and pioneer during his life. He d.
Sept. 24, 1922 in Idaho.
2. Amos Simmons (seventh son and eighth child) b. 1829 or 1830 in Rotterdam, Schenectady County,
New York. He m. Emily Tanner or Towner (b. 1834 or 1835) on July 4, 1854 in Ionia by a
Justice of the Peace, Mason Hearsey. Amos and Emily were both from Berlin township. The
witnesses were David Irish and Leonora Irish of Ionia. In 1860 Amos and Emily lived in Berlin
Twp. with Ellen, William and Hiram. Amos fought in the Civil War. His second marriage was
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to Mrs. Hannah M. (Holcomb) Medow (b. 1841 or 1842 in NY) on Oct. 26, 1880 in Ionia City.
Rev. Washington Gardner performed the ceremony and he and A.S. Wright of Ionia were the
witnesses. Both Amos and Hannah were living in Stanton (township?) at the time of their
wedding. Amos was a mechanic.
3. Ellen C. Simmons b. around 1855. She was living with her parents in 1860 and then there is
no record of her. She could have died young.
3. William H. Simmons b. Oct. 21, 1856 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. He m. Jennie
Hall Cord (b. 1849 or 1850 in Odessa Twp.) on Sept. 20, 1885 in Odessa Twp. Martin
Cox, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony, and Daniel Webber and Lotta Coel of
Odessa were the witnesses. William was a farmer in Odessa Twp. at the time of his
marriage. Jennie also resided in Odessa. William’s second marriage was to Mary E.
Lovell (b. 1864 or 1865 in Berlin Twp. to Wransford Lovell and Mary Reed) on Oct. 14,
1889 in Ionia City. Henry L. White, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony and
Lydia E. and Dempter C. Whelock of Odessa township were the witnesses. William d.
March 2, 1923 of epilepsy in Odessa Twp. He was married when he died.
4. Prudence Simmons (twins?) b. Oct. 26, 1902 in Odessa township, Ionia Co., MI. She
d. of spasms on March 8, 1903.
4. Patience Simmons (twins?) b. Sept. 1902 in Odessa township, Ionia Co., MI. She d.
of enterocolitis on March 23, 1903.
3. Hiram Newton (Newton) Simmons b. 1857 or 1858 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. His third
marriage was to Orrilla (Jackson) Whelock (b. around 1855 in Canada to George Jackson
and Jane Whitney) on Sept. 16, 1888 in Berlin Twp. She had been married once before.
Nensy A. Rogers, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony and David and Maggie
Whelock of Berlin township were the witnesses. At the time of the wedding, Newton
was a farmer in Odessa township. Orrilla also lived in Odessa. Newton either died
before 1898 or Newton and Orrilla divorced before that year, because Orrilla remarried.
On June 20, 1898 in Ionia City she married Alonzo Parmenter (b. 1844 or 1845 in Eaton
Co. to D.C. Parmenter and Susan Sanders). He was a farmer in Ionia township and had
been married once before. Rev. W.H.B. March performed the ceremony and Miss Mattie
Williams of Ionia and Mrs. Nellie Wallerston of Albany, NY were the witnesses.
Orrilla’s fourth marriage was to Bert Van Norman (b. 1853 or 1854 in MI to Osman Van
Norman and Caroline Folson) on Nov. 9, 1899 in Lake Odessa, where both Orrilla and
Bert were living. Bert was a drayman who had been married once before. Rev. J.L. Ickes
performed the ceremony and Blanche Watkins and Nettie Ickes, both of Lake Odessa,
were the witnesses.
3. Ella Simmons
3. Mary Simmons
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3. Nellie Simmons
3. John Simmons
3. Jesse Abijah Simmons
4. Howard E. Simmons
4. Hazel Simmons
3. Jessica Simmons
3. Frank Simmons b. Oct. 16, 1888. His mother was Orrilla. Frank m. Lillia May Powely
(b. April 4, 1877 in Belrock, Ontario to John B. Powley and Lavina Vaness of Canada).
Lillia d. July 20, 1943 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing of a blood clot in her heart and
inflammation of the heart. Frank d. Aug. 9, 1973 at Belding Community Hospital of
congestive heart failure and arteriosclerosis. He resided in Lake Odessa at the time of his
death. He was buried in Lakeside Cemetery in Lake Odessa.
4. Frank M. Simmons b. June 22, 1909 in Sterling, NY. He m. Mildred C. Hahn
(b. 1907). Frank d. Feb. 4, 1996 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Ionia of
prostate cancer. He was a laborer in an auto factory and resided in Muir, Ionia
Co. Frank’s death certificate states that he was of English heritage and had
completed the 12th grade in school. Frank is buried in Balcom Cemetery.
3. ???
4. Howard E. Simmons
He m. Shirley and in April 1975 was living in Lansing, MI.
4. Lorraine Simmons She m. Jonathan Hein and in April 1975 was living in Lansing,
MI.
3. Esther Simmons b. March 28, 1864 in MI to Amos and Emily. She never married and
resided in Boston Twp., Ionia Co. Esther d. Dec. 29, 1958 in Burns Convalescent Home
in Ionia of pneumonia, artheriosclerosis, senility, and grand mal seizures. She was buried
in Cascade Cemetery in Cascade, MI.
2. Able (Jesse) Simmons (ninth child and eighth son) b. May 24, 1832 (per Lyman’s Bible record) or
b. June 4, 1832 (per death record) in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, New York. He m. Alvira
(Anna) Courser or Comser (b. July 5, 1826 or in 1836 in NY to Benjamin Courser or Comser) on
Oct. 24, 1858 in Berlin Twp., by Truman Fox, Justice of the Peace. The witnesses were Jonathan
Sprague and Eunice Sconard. Both Able and Alvira were from Berlin township. Alvira’s father
was b. in MA and her mother was born in VT. After Able’s father died, he inherited the farm on
which he had always worked. The 80 acre farm was located in the western half of the northwest
quarter of section 12 of Berlin Twp. In 1860 they were living with Able’s parents and in 1870
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they were living in Berlin Twp. with a 14-year-old farm hand named George. In 1880 Betsey
Simmons and Zeba Couiser, brother-in-law, were living with Jesse and Alvira. Zeba was b. 1820
in NY. Able and Alvira did not have any children. Alvira d. May 5, 1898 of paralysis. In 1900
Able was living with his nephew, Marvin Young and his family. Able d. July 8, 1914 in Berlin
Twp. of arteriosclerosis and left his possessions to George Burch, a farm hand of theirs. Both
Alvira and Able are buried in Balcom Cemetery.
2. Polly Ann Simmons b. Oct. 1834 in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, New York. She m. Samuel
H. Coe (b. 1818 or 1819 per marriage record) on July 25, 1853 by a Justice of the Peace, Herman
Babcock, in Ionia County. Polly and Samuel were both from Berlin township. David Woodruff
and George H. Coe served as witnesses. The 1860 census shows Polly living with her parents,
though.
3. (child) Coe (Youngs?)
3. Luella Coe (Youngs?)
3. Lucy Coe (Youngs?)
Her second marriage was to Anson Young, who had been married before. His first wife, Mary,
died before 1860 and left him with their three girls—Philaney, Harriet and Suzy. In 1880 Anson
and Polly were married and living in Berlin Twp. Anson was born 1816 in NY and both of his
parents were born in NY. Also living with Anson and Polly in 1880 is Marvin, May, John, and
Hester Simmons who is listed as a niece, 15 years old. Polly’s third marriage was to Mr.
Bennett(?). In 1900 Polly was living with her son Marvin and his family.
3. Marvin A. Young b. May 1863 in MI. He m. Almina N. (b. Oct. 1863 in MI) in 1881.
Almina’s father was born in NY and her mother was born in Canada. They had 8 kids by
1900. Also in 1900 Marvin’s mother Polly and uncle Able were living with them.
4. Earl M. Young b. May 1882 in MI.
4. Maud L. Young b. March 1884 in MI.
4. Flora B. Young b. Dec. 1889 in MI.
4. Lida M. Young b. Sept. 1891 in MI.
4. Lewis Young b. Nov. 1893 in MI.
4. Glen Young b. March 1895 in MI.
4. Harry A. Young b. July 1896 in MI.
4. Susan A. Young b. July 1899 in MI.
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3. May Young b. 1865.
3. John Young b. 1870.
3. ???
4. Charles Henry Young In April 1975 he was living in Ionia.
2. Hester Lydia Simmons b. 1835 in Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY. She m. John W. Young (her
nephew?) after 1852. Hester d. before 1900. The 1900 census states that John W. Young was
born in Feb. of 1870 in MI and that he had been married for 11 years. His parents were both born
in NY. His wife is listed as Adalade, born July 1872 in IN, father born in NY and mother born in
OH. Adalade has had one child, John R. Young.
3. Nellie Young
3. Frederick M. Young b. 1876. He m. Olga M. (b. 1882 in Idaho) probably in Idaho. He was
living in Juliaetta, Nez Perce Territory, Idaho in 1900.
3. John R. Young b. Jan. 1891 in MI. His mother was Adalade.
3. Mary Young
3. Frank Young
3. Alice Young
2. Eunice Maria Simmons b. Jan. 1840 in Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY. She m. Jerome P. Bennett
after 1852. Jerome was born in 1828 in NY. In 1860 Eunice and Jerome were married and were
living with Ira Bennett (b. March 1830 or in 1833 in NY) and his wife Delilah H. or W. Bennett
(b. May 1838 in NY) in Berlin Twp. It is possible that Jerome and Ira are brothers who moved
from NY to MI. Ira and Jerome were farmers and both of their farms were worth $250 in 1860.
The 1870 census shows Ira and Delilah’s farm being worth $2,000. They live next door to
Eunice and Jerome, Orty C. and Dennis A. Jerome’s farm was worth $1,200 in 1870. In 1880
Jerome’s family included Eunice, Orley, Dennis, and Ivy. Also in 1880 Ira and Delilah had
Helen Tanner (b. 1815 in NY), Delilah’s mother, living with them. Helen’s father was born in
NY and her mother was born in England. In 1900 Ira and Delilah had been married for 44 years
and did not have any children. Both Delilah’s and Ira’s parents were born in NY. Jerome d.
before 1900. The 1900 census lists Eunice as having had 4 kids.
3. Orley or Orty C. Bennett b. 1863 or 1864 in MI.
3. Dennis A. Bennett b. July 1868 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI.
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3. Ivy Bennett b. 1877 in MI.
3. Amy D. Bennett b. April 1881 in MI.
3. (Ivy or Amy—which one?)
4. Doris Kuhtz (married name??) In April 1975 she was living in Ionia.
4. Elsie May Harwood Day
(separate family A)
1. (parents died when Augustus was 5 years old)
2. Augustus B. Simmons b. 1839 or 1840 (per marriage record) b. June 1837 (per death record) in Flint,
MI. He m. Ann E. Rodman (b. Jan. 25, 1850 in PA or NY to Asa Rodman and Hannah Poyneer)
on June 1, 1868 in Ionia. Arba Chubb, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony and Edwin
R. Powell and Rosella Tucker, both of Ionia (township?), were the witnesses. Both Augustus
and Ann resided in Ionia (township?) at the time of their wedding. Augustus was a mechanic.
Augustus was living in Ionia Village in 1870. He d. Sept. 1, 1920 of an effusion of the brain in
Ionia City (township?). At the time of his death Augustus was a carpenter. Ann d. July 22, 1929
in Ionia of a cerebral hemorrhage.
3. Jessica (Jessie) M. Simmons b. Jan. 22, 1872 in Ionia Co. She became a nurse and never
married. Jessie d. May 20, 1947 in Ionia Co. of diabetes mellitus.
3. Maggie Simmons b. Nov. 16, 1874 and d. Aug. 5, 1876 in Ionia (township?) of dysentery.
3. Emily H. Simmons b. 1870 or 1871 in Ionia. She m. Harry S. Barton (b. 1871 or 1872 in
Black Rock, NY to Henry R. Barton and Mary Schroeder) on June 30, 1898 in Ionia.
Rev. J.K. Berry performed the ceremony and A.B. Simmons and Mrs. Anna Simmons of
Ionia were the witnesses. At the time of their wedding both Emily and Harry were living
in Ionia. Harry was employed as a clerk.
(separate family B)
1. John Wesley Simmons b. Nov. 17, 1871 in Cedar Springs, Kent Co., MI to Simeon Simmons of NY
and Helen Manley. John W. married Charlotte E. Wilkinson (b. May 4, 1875 in MO to Morton
Wilkinson and Elizabeth Beech). John d. Oct. 20, 1945 in Ionia of inflammation of the heart.
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Charlotte d. Aug. 28, 1960 in Memorial Hospital in Ionia of a cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension
and diabetes. At the time of her death, Charlotte resided in Trufant, Montcalm Co. John and
Charlotte are buried by themselves in Balcom Cemetery.
2. Vern E. Simmons b. Nov. 1, 1900. He m. Gladys Margaret Essex (b. July 18, 1908 in
Montcalm Co. to Lewis Essex and Elva Dehart). Vern manufactured furniture and was
an auto engineer. They lived in Ionia. Vern d. Feb. 3, 1968 in Ionia County Memorial
Hospital of a heart attack. He is buried in Balcom Cemetery. Gladys d. Aug. 8, 1996 at
Heartland Healthcare Center in Ionia of renal failure, medullary failure and diabetes. She
is buried by her husband in Balcom Cemetery. Her death certificate states that she
completed the 8th grade in school and lived in Ionia.
3. Betty J. Simmons b. Sept. 1928 in Berlin Twp. She d. July 22, 1929 from being a
premature birth.
(separate family C)
1. Bartholomew Simmons
2. Albert B. Simmons b. March 27, 1867 in MI. Albert was an engineer. He married Mary Arens of
MI. Albert d. July 7, 1933 in Easton Twp., Ionia Co. of acute congestion and heart failure. He
was a widower when he died.
3. Mary Simmons b. 1897 or 1898 in MI. She never married. Mary d. Jan. 15, 1946 in
Traverse City of Huntington’s disease.
3. Edward Simmons b. 1902 or 1903 in MI. He never married and was a spray painter. Ed d.
March 19, 1953 in Traverse City of a cerebral thrombosis (blood clot in his brain).
(separate family D)
1. Charles Simmons He m. Lucinda Granger (b. April 14, 1835 in NY to John Granger of NY and
____ Date). Lucinda d. Oct. 4, 1915 in Orleans Twp., Ionia Co. of heart failure. She was a
widow when she died.
2. Judson A. Simmons b. Aug. 25, 1874 in MI. He married Blanche Hall and was a farmer. Judson
d. May 9, 1931 in Ionia of stomach cancer. He was married when he died.
3. Judson Elyle Simmons b. April 29, 1914 in Easton Twp., Ionia Co. He married Roxie M.
Luz and lived in Portland. Judson was an operating engineer in road construction.
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Judson d. May 15, 1991 in Portland of medullary failure and lung cancer. He was buried
in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Ionia. On Judson’s death certificate it lists his heritage as
English, and says he completed the 11th grade in school. Roxie d. (after 1991).
(separate family E)
1. A.I. or A.M. Simmons b. 1853 or 1854 in MI. He married Lettie May McElroy (b. May 28, 1861 in
Ada, Ohio to George McElroy and Eliza Wilson) on Oct. 23, 1881 in Belding. Rev. William
Buell performed the ceremony and Perry L. Blystone and Eva L. Gooding, both of Belding, were
the witnesses. At the time of their marriage both A.M and Lettie were living in Belding. A.M.
was a painter. Lettie d. April 22, 1942 in Belding City of uremic poisoning and senility. She
was a widow when she died.
2. Lynn Frederick Simmons b. Oct. 11, 1898 in MI. He m. Anna Hull (b. Jan. 15, 1898 in Ohio to John
Hull and Margaret Jane Campbell). Anna was a garment maker at Jolly Kids Togs. Anna d.
June 18, 1978 in Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Anna died of heart failure,
pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in her lungs), renal failure, and a peripheral arterial embolism.
She was living in Belding at the time of her death and was buried in River Ridge Cemetery in
Belding. Lynn d. April 30, 1982 in Belding Community Hospital of cardiac failure and prostate
cancer. Lynn was a custodian at the Belding area schools and lived in Belding. He was buried
by his wife in River Ridge Cemetery. The informant for Lynn’s death certificate was a Donald
Simmons of Wyoming, MI.
3. Donald Simmons (son?) In 1982 he was living in Wyoming, MI.
2. Ivan Lee Simmons, Sr. b. Dec. 18, 1903. He was a maintenance man for Belding schools and lived
with his wife in Belding. He married Thelma Genevieve Wood (b. July 6, 1907 in MI to LeRoy
Wood and Margaret Summerfield). Thelma d. Jan. 17, 1983 in Belding Community Hospital of
kidney failure, diabetes, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. She is buried in River Ridge
Cemetery in Belding. Ivan d. Oct. 25, 1983 in Belding of a cardiac arrhythmia and heart disease.
He is buried by his wife in River Ridge Cemetery.
3. Ivan Lee Simmons, Jr.
(separate family F)
1. John Simmons
He m. Mary Mickay. Mary was born in Scotland.
2. John Simmons b. April 10, 1837 in NY. John was a laborer. He m. Susan Holmes on July 12, 1863.
At the time of their marriage, John was living in Keene Twp. and Susan was from Smyrna. Rev.
D.A. Richards performed the ceremony and R.G. Woodman and R. Holmes of Smyrna were the
witnesses. John d. Feb. 15, 1921 in Berlin Twp. of heart trouble.
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Balcom Cemetery
Ionia County
Simmons plot #1Second (?) road into
cemetery on the right
John W.
1871-1945
Charlotte E.
1875-1960
Simmons plot #2Third road into cemetery
on the corner by the main road.
On the right
Leona Simmons
1909-1910
Simmons
Amelia E.
Fred
1879-1956
1856-1932
Josie A.
wife of
Fred Simmons
died
Oct. 10, 1888
Ellen E.
wife of
Fred Simmons
died
June 14, 1896
Simmons plot #3Fourth road into cemetery on the left
William W. Simmons
born
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May 27, 1816
died
Oct. 11, 1898
Father
William Simmons
Died
Apr. 4, 1872
Aged
75 Y. 9 M. 17 D.
Betsey
wife of
Wm. Simmons
Died
Feb. 24, 1871
Aged
73y. 6m. 26d.
Simmons pillarwest side- Lyman Simmons
Died
May 15, 1900
Aged
78 yrs. 10 ms. 2 ds.
south- Nellie
L. & J. Simmons
Died
May 10, 1881
Aged
16 yrs. 9 ms. & 26 ds.
Anna
wife of Lyman Simmons
Died
Dec. 8, 1858
Aged
33 yrs. 8 ms. 19 ds.
north- Jane
wife of Lyman Simmons
Died
Feb. 10, 1890
Aged
51 ys. 22 ds.
Clarissa
wife of Lyman Simmons
Died
April 2, 1892
Aged
60 ys. 6 ds.
Simmons plot #4Fourth drive into cemetery,
past the posts and on the left
Simmons
Elnora
Oscar
1891-1937
1881-1943
Baby Lawrence 1925
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Simmons
Willard Lyman
Edna E. Beckett
1910-1987
1915-1991
(in the middle is a heart which says
married Feb. 20, 1937)
Simmons plot #5Third road into cemetery
on the right, almost to the
crossroad
Lyman J.
Simmons
1879-1958
Nellie G.
Simmons
1877-1939
Lena M.
Simmons
1887-1947
Emeretta
Simmons
1853-1926
Nelson
Simmons
1849-1921
“Simmons” monument
Vernon L.
Simmons
1875-1937
Nettie A.
Simmons
1872-1958
Harold E.
Simmons
1900-1966
Simmons plot #6Along the crossroad between
the second and third entrances
on the left
Simmons
Frank M.
Mildred C.
1909-1996
1907-
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