SIMS, (Hon.) Robert Nicholls, Ascension Parish, Louisiana
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Sims, Hon. Robert Nicholls, planter, financier and noted orator, was born
at Donaldsonville, La., Nov. 28, 1870, and is a son of Robert Nichols and
Emma (Kittridge) Sims, the former of whom was born in the same locality as
was the son, and the latter at Napoleonville, in the same state. The
paternal grandparents, William and Heloise (Trepagnier) Sims, were natives,
respectively, of North Carolina and the city of New Orleans. The paternal
ancestors of the Sims family in Louisiana originate from France and
England, and the maternal ancestors from England and Ireland. William Sims
came to Louisiana in the early '30s of the last century and became largely
interested as a sugar planter. He owned plantations in both Assumption and
Ascension parishes, and devoted his abilities to the successful handling of
these properties until the time of his death in 1859. Dr. E. E. Kittridge
came to Louisiana in the early part of the 19th century. He was an able
physician, and a man of large wealth and popularity. His Louisiana home
was Elm Hall plantation, which, during his lifetime, was noted as a place
of most hospitable entertainment. Dr. Kittridge was a man of progress, and
it is said the first vacuum pan used on a sugar plantation on Bayou
Lafourche in Louisiana was introduced at Elm Hall plantation. The doctor
served some years as a member of the Louisiana legislature, and at all
times took a leading part in public affairs. He owned valuable property
near Winchester, Tenn., including Winchester Springs, a noted health and
pleasure resort, where he maintained a commodious summer home. This
property is still in the family. Dr. Kittridge was an intimate friend of
Henry Clay, and often entertained the great statesman and orator, at both
the Tennessee and the Louisiana homes. Fourteen children were born to Dr.
and Mrs. Kittridge, and several of these became prominent in various lines
of endeavor. Robert Nicholls Sims, Sr., received his education at the
University of North Carolina, from which he graduated in 1859, having been
valedictorian of his class. On that occasion the governors of 6 southern
states occupied seats upon the rostrum, as did James Buchanan, president of
the United States, while William L. Yancey of Alabama was orator of the
day. Pres. Buchanan presented a small bible, inscribed: "To my young
friend, R. N. Sims--James Buchanan." Mr. Sims later began the practice of
law at Donaldsonville, where he gained recognition as an able attorney. At
the beginning of the Civil war he took a leading part in the organization
of a company, and as adjutant of the 2nd Louisiana volunteer cavalry, under
Col. Vincent of New Orleans, served throughout the war. After the
surrender he resumed his law practice and rapidly rose to a position of
commanding importance in his profession. During the period of
reconstruction he took an active part in public affairs. He was elected to
the state senate in 1896 and served as a member of the constitutional
convention of 1898. It was he who wrote the "grandfather clause'' in the
constitution of that year. He died suddenly of complications resulting
from la grippe, at the age of 58 years, while yet a member of the senate.
In the course of his education, Robert Nichols Sims, Jr., attended
Jefferson college, Convent, La., Louisiana State university and the
University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. After the completion of his
academic course he studied law in the office of his father. At the age of
20 years Mr. Sims was married to Miss Nita Dalferes, daughter of T. O.
Dalferes and Josephine Sharp, of Donaldsonville. After his marriage he
became manager for 5 years of the estate and plantation of his uncle, H. W.
Barton, but when the sugar bounty was discontinued he abandoned sugar
planting and became assistant cashier of the Bank of Donaldsonville. After
9 months in this position he accepted principalship of the Donaldsonville
high school, where he remained 2 years, resigning to accept the office of
chief deputy sheriff and tax collector. In 1898 he was elected one of the
first members of the Louisiana railroad commission, and remained in that
office until the creation of a board of control for the penitentiary. At
that time Gov. Heard asked Mr. Sims to become a member of this board, and
he acceded to the request. In 1907 he gave up this position to manage the
gubernatorial campaign of Col. Theo. S. Wilkinson. Mr. Sims is affiliated
with the democratic party, and has served as delegate to its conventions,
and upon all important committees for many years past. Several times he
had been tendered the congressional nomination, but it so happened that on
each occasion he felt he could not accept the honor because of the demands
of his private interests. He organized the company that built the rice
mill at Donaldsonville, one of the finest in the country, and was long a
member and director of the Rice association of America. The company of
which he was president operated the mill until it was sold. Mr. Sims has
conducted a general insurance business at Donaldsonville about 19 years.
He assisted in the organization and became the first president of the New
Orleans Casualty Co., but finding the office required more time than he
could give it, he resigned and was made first vice-president. Also he
occupied the office of vice-president of the People's bank, at
Donaldsonville, from the time of the organization of the bank in 1900 to
Jan., 1914, when he resigned. He has been in the coal trade at
Donaldsonville about 5 years, his business in this line being the second
largest in the state and involving the use of a steam equipment for
handling coal said to be the most perfect of its kind on the Mississippi
south of St. Louis. While Mr. Sims has succeeded in a large sense, as a
business man, he has at the same time taken a most active and aggressive
part in public affairs, and as a speaker has won a wide reputation, having
delivered many notable addresses. On the occasion of the recent United
States land and irrigation exposition at Chicago, Mr. Sims was commissioned
to act as the personal representative of the governor on Louisiana Day, and
in that capacity delivered a speech in the Coliseum at Chicago which has
been referred to as perhaps the greatest oration ever heard within the
walls of that auditorium. The state of Louisiana could do no better thing
for its people than the printing and distribution of this oration broadcast
throughout the United States. It is devoted to the resources and
attractions of Louisiana and her people. As illustrating the esteem and
confidence in which Mr. Sims is held by the people of Louisiana, it is
interesting to relate that on the occasion of a recent strike of electrical
workers at New Orleans, after the contest had reached a stage so serious
that the whole city was threatened with being tied up, industrially, Mr.
Sims, who lives more than 60 miles from New Orleans, was called into
consultation by the city officials and asked to take charge of the
situation. In the interest of the public he consented to do so,
gratuitously, and shortly thereafter was given written authority, by the
employers, to settle the strike upon such terms as he might consider just.
This was followed by similar authority from the workers, and within a brief
time the whole matter was adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned,
and Mr. Sims returned to his home with the thanks of the people and a
consciousness of public duty well done. He served as president of the
Louisiana Bankers association during the year 1909-1910, and has been
continuously a member of the executive council of that organization since
the second year of its formation. March 20, 1914, Mr. Sims was named for
the office of state bank examiner by Gov. Hall. He hesitated about
accepting the place, but was called upon by a delegation of prominent
Louisiana business men insistent that he accept the office, and as a
concession to the wishes of these and many other friends, he consented. On
that occasion he was tendered an elaborate banquet by his home people, who
expressed great confidence in their fellow townsman. However, Mr. Young,
an order for whose removal had been made by the governor, declined to
relinquish the office, and the supreme court decided that the governor did
not have authority to remove the bank examiner from office. Thereupon, Mr.
Sims' name was withdrawn by the governor. He is a member of the Episcopal
church, and is affiliated with the Kappa Alpha fraternity, Knights Templar,
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World,
Knights of Honor, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being a Past
Exalted Ruler and District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the last, and
having held various offices in each of these orders. Two children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sims: Harry Vernon, the son, attended the
Bingham school, Asheville, N. C., the Louisiana State university, receiving
at the latter the degree of A. B. with the class of 1911. He is now
attending the medical department of Tulane university. Nita, the second
child, attended the public schools at Donaldsonville, where she established
an unusual record in her studies, being especially proficient in elocution,
composition and in music. At her graduation she received 5 awards--3
medals and 2 scholarships-one of the latter being at Newcomb college, New
Orleans, and the other at Washington, D. C., seminary, where she completed
her musical education. While studying at the latter institution, Miss Sims
enjoyed special advantages and was shown marked attention by many notable
people about Washington. She is a young lady of superior attainments and
exceptionally charming personality.
Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, pp.
736-739. Edited by Alc e Fortier, Lit. D. Published in 1914, by Century
Historical Association.
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