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Family
Marriage: Children:
  1. Theola Simmons: Birth: 08 AUG 1896. Death: MAR 1986 in Pine Bluff, Ark.

  2. Person Not Viewable


Notes
a. Note:   H00085
Note:   FROM THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE, LITTLE ROCK, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1919 OBITUARY DR. J. F. SIMMONS DIES Pine Bluff Resident Was One of the Wealthiest Men in State Pine Bluff, Oct 1---Dr. J. f. Simmons, aged 86 was one of the wealthies men in Arkansas, died at his home here this morning. During the past year his health had failed rapidly and Monday his condition became so critical that it was realized his end was near. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, the Misses Theola and Lucille Simmons. Dr. Simmons was born near Florence, Ala., and was a son of Robert E. and Nancy Simmons. He removed to Mississippi as a young man and when the Civil War began he enlisted in the Confederate Army and took part in the first battle of Bull Run. Later, he became ill with typhoid fever and was in a hospital about a year. When he recovered he was assigned to duty in a hospital near Oxford, MS., where he served until the end of the war. Dr. Simmons came to Jefferson County and located on Bayou Bartholomew where he began the practice of medicine. Although he arrived in this county practically penniless he bagan to practice strict economy from the time of his arrival and at the end of his death his estate was valued at between $2,000,000 and $2,500,000. He was the largest owner of business property in the city. And also owned valuable plantations near Pine Bluff. Several years ago he began to invest in business property in Memphis and his holdings there are now valued at around $600,000. A big portion of his wealth was invested in government bonds and his income has been estimated at close to $100,000. Real estate left by Dr. SImmons included 22 buildings on Main street, here, 4,000 acres of farmland southwest of the city of __________?, six buildings on second avenue here, several residences including his home, valued at $75,000, a corner at Main and Madison street, Memphis and other property there. Dr. Simmons was one of the organizers of Simmons National Bank here,and was its first president. He was a member of the First Methodist Church and a charter member of the local Masonic lodge. Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning. _______________________________ SEE ALSO: My Southern Families by Hiram Kennedy Douglas for an article on ROBERT E. SIMMONS ____________________ ANOTHER ARTICLE- From: Centennial History of Arkansas...Delux Supplement..Chicago-Little Rock The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Mentions JOHN FRANKLIN SIMMONS, M.D. Says; His parents were Robert E. Simmons and Nancy (Smart) Simmons He enjoyed liberal educational opportunities, attending schools in Florence, Ala. Tullahoma, Mississippi (should be Tennessee instead of Mississippi--my note: Robert E. Walker) and winning his professional degree from Jefferson College at Philidelphia. FIrst opened medical practice in Memphis, Tn. where he remained until 1868 and then removed to Jefferson County, Ark. He was married to Miss Emma Louise Hunter, a daughter of Theophilus John and and Sue (Walton) Hunter. Her father Lieutenant Theophilus Hunter was one of first in the locality to join the Confederate army. Dr. Simmons was a democrat in his political views but was never an aspirdant for public office. He belonged to various Masonic bodies....was a member of the Pine Bluff County Club and other social organziations. He likewise held membership in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he as one of the officers.


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