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Dow Simmonds

SIMMONDS

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 10/20/2018 at 15:09:02

Dow Simmonds

Dow Simmonds is the present recorder of Worth Co., Iowa. He was born in Dodge Co., Wis., Sept. 7, 1851. His parents were George H. and Mary B. (Hartwell) Simmonds, who were married in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1845. Soon after that date they settled in Dodge Co., Wis., where the father engaged in farming. A few years afterward he removed to Oconomowoc, Wis., where he engaged in the drug business. Leaving Wisconsin in 1868 he located in Appanoose Co., Iowa, and at the present time resides in Eldora, Wapello Co., Iowa. Dow lived on a farm until nine years of age, and attended a common school until fourteen yeaers of age, when he entered his father's store as a clerk, removing to Iowa in 1868, where he worked for two years on a farm. In 1870 he began business for himself, and meeting with reverses, he disposed of his drug business in 1873 and entered the employ of J. P. Early, of Albia, Iowa, who was at that time the leading drygoods merchant of Monroe County. He remained with Mr. Early until November, 1877, when he removed to Northwood, and was deputy postmaster one year. He then accepted a situation in the collection department of L. S. Butler's law office, where he remained until elected recorder of Worth County in the fall of 1880. He was married Sept. 7, 1871, to Ida V. Cole, daughter of A. J. Cole, of Worth Co., Iowa. Mr. Simmonds is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also Northern Light Lodge, No. 266, A. F. & A. M., of Northwood. Though a young man in the county, he has bright prospects, and thus far he has been master of the situation and improved them. Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1884, p.633

Dow Simmonds was born in Dodge county. Wis., Sept. 7, 1851. His father's name was George H. Simmonds and his mother's maiden name was Mary B. Hartwell. In 1868 he came to Appanoose county, Iowa, where he en­gaged in farm work. In 1870 he went to Lovilla, Monroe county and engaged in the drug and farm implement bus­iness. In 1877 he removed to Northwood and worked for one year as a post office clerk. He then began working for L. S. Butler, who was then one of the leading attor­neys of Worth county. On Jan. 1, 1881, Mr. Simmonds was chosen by the voters of Worth county as county recorder, a position which he held for four years. On retiring from the office of recorder he formed a partnership with Henry Peterson and engaged in the retail lumber trade. After one year in the lumber business he was chosen cashier of the bank then known as the Northwood Banking Company. His services to this institution were invaluable, and he re­mained in this position until last October, when partial deafness complicated with failing health forced him to re­sign. Since relinquishing his place in the bank he has devoted his time to building up his health, being at the time of writing of this sketch, in a sanitarium in Des Moines under the care of a specialist in diseases of the ear. In 1902 the people of Northwood chose Mr. Simmonds as their mayor, which office he held for 4 years. In the discharge of all his duties, both public and private he has always been both just and conscientious and in his years of service in this community he has attached to himself a host of friends who are all earnestly hoping he will win in the struggle to regain his health.
In addition to his other activities Mr. Simmonds has always been an ardent lodge worker. He is a member of Northern Light Masonic Lodge and of the independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has held all the important offices in these fraternities and has devoted much time to the upbuilding and maintenance of the local chapters.
On the 7th day of September, 1871, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida Y. Cole, only daughter of the late A. J. Cole, of this city. The marriage took place in Mon­rovia, Appanoose County. Iowa. They have one daughter Miss Marie, who is now eleven years of age. Source: The Semi-Centennial Souvenir of Northwood, Iowa, 1907, page 40.


 

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