- James Simons Chilton Times February 5, 1898
On Tuesday morning at the home of his son, James Simons on Depot street, there passed into rest a man who has been familiar with the growth and development of the Fox River valley for over sixty years.
James Simons, Sr., was of Indian blood, and was born in Oneida County, New York, January 5th, 1821, and was therefore at the time of his death, somewhere over 77 years of age. In 1834 he with the majority of Brothertown Indians, of New York was removed to Wisconsin and settled on the shores of Lake Winnebago, in what is now Brothertown. The first settlement there was made by two or three families, in 1832; Mr. Simons reached the settlement July 28th, 1834.
The decendants of a line of chiefs, after the tribal system was abandoned, and the people became citizens of the United States, still continued to be the leading men in the community, and as such, Mr. Simons as he grew to manhood, became identified with all the early history of Brothertown, where he resided until the fall of 1870, when with his family he removed to Wrightstown. At the time of that early settlement at Brothertown and Stockbridge, the Lower Fox River Valley was almost a pathless wilderness; nearly all the supplies for the community were carried from Green Bay or Bay settlement.
There was much suffering; often, while the party sent out for supplies were away, the settlers at home had no food save fish from the lake, or such small game as they could secure.
Young and athletic, for he was of magnificent physique, Mr. Simons often accompanied these expeditions, and in this way became thoroughly familiar with the valley which has been his home so long. Mr. Simons was proud of his Indian blood, and the writer well remembers the simple dignity with which he one rebuked a careless question as to "where his people came from," with the proud reply; "my people were here always."
In 1849 he was united in marriage to Martha Skeesuck, who survives him. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Simons, two of whom are buried at Brothertown, and two are still living, James Simons of this city and Mrs. S. Brown of Christy.
At Wrightstown from which place he removed in 1883 or '84, to this city, Mr. Simons held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years, holding the same position in this city also. His death was due to a stroke of paralysis, from which he has suffered since January 15th. He was a kind husband and father, and had the esteem and respect of a large circle of friends.
Funeral services were held at the First M.E. Church yesterday and his body was taken to his old home in Brothertown for burial near the resting place of a beloved sister and two children.
L. Fowler and sister, Mrs. Niles, of Brothertown, nephew and niece of the deceased, were present. Mrs. Simons is lying dangerously ill at the home of her daughter, in Christy, and neither his wife nor daughter were able to attend the last sad rites. - Kaukauna Sun
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1821 - 1898 (76 years)
Has no ancestors but 2 descendants in this family tree.
1850 Census
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: City/Town
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Language
Simons, Maria Louisa
