IowaJones/Biographies/H. Simmons

H. Simmons–J. W. Skelly

Henry Simmons
Born 1814

HENRY SIMMONS, farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Monticello; born in Canada in 1814; came to Jones Co. in 1834. His wife's maiden name was Katherine McCarty, a native of Canada; they mere married January 25, 1836; have had nine children, seven of whom are living—Charles, George, Harriet, Jennie, Carrie, William and Emma. Mr. Simmons is a Republican. Owns 160 acres of land.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 634.

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R. B. Simmons
Born 1806

R. B. SIMMONS, farmer, Hale Twp., Sec. 21; P.O. Olin; born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1806; in 1812, went to Richland Co., Ohio, and to Iowa in 1851; bought eighty acres, and now owns sixty and one-half; made the improvements; has hauled grain to Muscatine and sold it for 31 cents, dressed pork for $1.25. In politics, Democrat; in religion, Free-Will Baptist. His wife, Mary Myers, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1808; married in 1828; have had fifteen children—Sarah (now Mrs. Coleman); Jacob, Susan, died 1833; William, in California; Nancy, in Denver City; Abijah, Colman, Elizabeth, in Greene Co.; Ellen died in 1846; Amanda and Amanuel, twins, died in 1847; Richard died in 1850; Samuel.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 641.

L. A. Simpson
Born 1808

L. A. SIMPSON, farmer, Hale Twp., Sec. 14; P.O. Hale Village; born in Tioga Go., N.Y., in 1808; when about 8 years of age, went to South Bend, Ohio, then to the Wabash Settlement, Warren Co., Ind., and to Iowa in 1839, and entered 300 acres; now owns 225 acres; made all the improvements on the place; has built a good house, and has things in good order and repair; the winter of 1839, returned to the Wabash settlement in Indiana, as there was nothing to winter on in Iowa; made the trip with oxen; his market was Dubuque, and it took three days for a trip and he sold hogs for $1.50. Has been Assessor and Trustee for a great many years, also Surveyor of the county; in politics, Republican; in religion, liberal. His first wife, Elizabeth Bumgarner, was born in Virginia in 1814; married at the age of 23, and died within one year; married his second wife, Mary Bumgarner, in Iowa in 1840; she died May 21, 1857; had three children, only one living—Hannah L.; William B. enlisted in Co. G, 31st 1.V.I.; died at Davenport, and buried the day he was 21 years of age; and infant child.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 641.

Angus Sinclair
Born January 1, 1833

ANGUS SINCLAIR, farmer, Scotch Grove Twp., Sec. 15; P.O. Scotch Grove; born in the Selkirk settlement, on the Red River of the North, British America, January 1, 1833; his father emigrated to that country when a young man, in the service of the Hudson Bay Co.; the family came to Jones Co. in 1838; they lived in Scotch Grove Township, Sec. 16, for two years; also lived for a short time in Washington Township; his father entered the farm which his son Angus now owns, in 1841, where he died about 1846. The mother of Mr. Sinclair lives with him; she is now 90 years of age; she has two daughters—Christina, who also lives at the homestead, and Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. D. McIntyre. Angus married Miss Ann Nelson; they have five children—Elizabeth, Donald O., Matthew M., Ann B. and Helen S.; lost one son—James D. Farm contains 160 acres. Mr. Sinclair is a Presbyterian.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 658, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

James B. Skahill
Born July 23, 1852

Among the more prosperous and prominent farmers of Washington township is numbered James B. Skahill, who at one time owned six hundred acres of excellent land here. He was born July 23, 1852, a son of Patrick and Mary (Murray) Skahill, both natives of Ireland. The former was born in 1815 and came to America in 1850, seeking to better his fortunes in a land which was not subject to the oppression which then visited the land of his birth. After spending a few years in the east, Mr. Skahill came to Jones county, where he purchased two hundred acres of wild land. This he improved and cultivated with considerable success, for although he had come to this country a poor man, he worked his way upward by industry and determination, until at his death he was in the enjoyment of a large competence. He was not long permitted to enjoy the comforts of the new world, for his death occurred in 1867. In the fifteen years or so that he spent in this county, however, he left his impress upon his township, for he rendered efficient service as trustee. His wife, who was about ten years his junior, also died in 1867. Of their six children, James B. Skahill is now the only survivor.

James B. Skahill, who was not fifteen years of age when he and his brothers and sisters were left orphans, the oldest being only sixteen, joined his efforts with those of his sister, a maid of twelve, with the intention of operating the farm and keeping the family together, being the youngest children in the county to conduct a home at that time. They succeeded in their undertakings for about seven years, when one of the children having died and others married, it was decided to sell the property and divide the proceeds. In the years of the struggle, Mr. Skahill had received some education in the public schools of the township, but it was very meager in comparison with the practical training he obtained from meeting squarely and unflinchingly the problems of life as they presented themselves. After the separation of the family he bought a farm of his own and now owns upwards of six hundred acres, although he has given two hundred acres to his two sons, that they might have a substantial start in life. While he pursues a general line of agriculture he has many other interests, besides mere farming. He aims to keep twenty-five or more cows in his dairy, hauling, during the best seasons, as much as five hundred pounds of milk to the creamery. He also carries the milk for neighbors, so that his dairy receipts average about five dollars a day. He feeds yearly about one hundred head of cattle and from seventy-five to one hundred hogs, besides having about sixteen horses of various ages. From sixty to eighty acres he plants in corn and each year he cuts about one hundred acres of hay. From all these various interests he derives a most gratifying return, which is a tangible evidence of his skill, his thrift and his industry. The characteristics which secured the advancement of his father along the highway of this world's progress, have been his heritage; but no man, who when scarcely more than a boy was inspired with ambition such as would have done credit to maturer years, could devote himself to what he believed to be his calling without winning from it a good fortune commensurate with his determination to succeed.

Mr. Skahill has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Eliza Kenney, by whom he had three children, namely: Willie, who married Mary McNiff, of Danbury; Anna, the wife of Thomas Evers, of Ryan; and Mary. After her death he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Durigan, a daughter of James and Mary Durigan, residents of Jones county, where Mr. Durigan secured a fair competence from the tilling of the soil. Five children were born of this union Frank, James, Katie, Harry and John. All the children were given an education in the district schools, while James, Mary and Harry pursued their studies farther. Mary attended the public school at Temple Hill. then taught for ten years and is now the wife of Thomas Hollihan, a livery man of Ryan, Iowa. James completed his education at Cedar Rapids and is now in the employ as bookkeeper, of the Cedar Rapids Oil Company. Harry is now a student at St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, Iowa.

A democrat in his political affiliations, Mr. Skahill has been elected by that party to the office of township assessor, which he filled for five years; that of clerk, which he held for ten years; and that of secretary of the school board, administering his duties in that capacity for seventeen years. He is a devout member of the Catholic church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 414.

James Skelly
Born February 13, 1841

JAMES SKELLY, farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Monticello; is a native of Marion Co., Ind., and was born February 13, 1841; his parents came to Iowa when he was very young; they came in 1842, and located in Jones Co, close to Monticello; he grew up to manhood here. When the war broke out. he enlisted, in the fall of 1861, in GO. I, 26th I.V.I; he was in the battles of Prairie Grove, Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Mobile, and others, besides fights and skirmishes; he was taken prisoner at Morgan's Bend, September 29, 1860. and was held a prisoner for ten months, and was horribly treated and suffered everything, but lived through it and was exchanged July 4, 1864; he was in the service three and a half years; he returned and engaged in farming, and owns 120 acres of land just outside of the city limits. In 1867, he married Miss Sarah Ely, a native of Pennsylvania; they have four children—William H., Alva G., James D., and Mattie May; they have lost one daughter—Nellie May.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 680, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel
Note: Gravestones, etc. spell the name Skelley.

John W. Skelly
Born 1828

JOHN W. SKELLY, farmer, stock-raiser and dairyman, Sec. 22; P.O. Monticello; is a native of Indianapolis, Ind., and was born in 1828; his parents came to Iowa in 1842, and settled in Jones Co., on the place where he now lives; they were early settlers here; there were only two log houses in Monticello at that time; he grew up to manhood here, and when only 19 years of age, began for himself and began making a farm, and since then has been engaged in farming and stock-raising; he is now largely engaged in the dairy business, and milks from seventy-five to one hundred cows; when he began life, he had but very little, but, by industry and good management, he has been very successful, and now owns 500 acres of good land, well improved, and also owns several houses and lots in Monticello; he lost several thousand dollars by the tornado, which occurred in October, 1878; he has held the office of Township Trustee. In 1859, he married Miss Cornelia Webster, from St. Joseph Co., Ind.; they have six children—Ezabeth, John, Lilly, Evalina, Nevada and Ernest.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 679.