What's The History of the Simmons' Name? By Bob Couser

Who ever watched a football game at Simmons Field?  Attended Simmons Elementary or Simmons Middle School?  Purchased clothes at the Marie O. Simmons Shop?  Observed the Simmons stately home on South Main Street?  What's the Memoire of the Simmons name?

This surname comes from an early pioneer of Brown County; a banker, farmer, businessman, philanthropist, and politico named John Curtis Simmons.  Mr. Simmons left behind a large distinguished footprint in both Brown County and the city of Aberdeen.

John C. Simmons

 He was born in Schuylerville, New York on November 27, 1858  as the only offspring of William and Emily Simmons.  His father died when he was about 18 months of age.  John C. Simmons was raised and educated in Schuylerville and was an accomplished school teacher in Eastern United States, until he decided to move to Dakota Territory.  He arrived in Aberdeen on May 18, 1882 and initially worked for Christopher A. Bliss, another early settler in the area who operated a general store and bank.  He lived at that time on a homestead and a tree claim that he had filed.  In 1886, he moved to Frederick and engineered the purchase and reorganization of the Dow Brothers' Bank, which became the Bank of Frederick, and eventually, the First National Bank of Frederick.  Through his fastidious and thoughtful management, the bank prospered and withstood many financial challenges of the 1890's.  During this time, Mr. Simmons steadily acquired wealth and purchased valuable land in Brown County.

Simmons House

He essentially retired from banking and moved to the Aberdeen area in 1906, focusing mainly on his farming and real estate interests.  He built a grand home at an address now listed as 1408 South Main Street in Aberdeen.  At the time of his new home’s construction, its’ location was considered “The Back Door of Warner,” surrounded by prairie and farm land outside the city limits of Aberdeen.  The historic Simmons House was built as a large two-and-one-half story rectangular structure with two brick chimneys and a raised basement.  Rectangular windows and one-story wings flanked the north and south facades. John Simmons sold the home in 1954.  Following multiple ownership's, the Simmons house has undergone several internal structural changes and functions.  It has been used as a private residence, a multiple family dwelling, an apartment building, a mental health center, and a hunting lodge.  However, over the years its’ exterior has remained relatively intact.  The home was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places on August 1, 1984.

In 1891, John Simmons married Emma Burton of Frederick who later died in 1906.  He married his first wife’s sister Florence in 1910, who died four years later.  Subsequently, he married his third wife, Marie Ovitz of Aberdeen on July 6, 1926.  Marie Ovitz Simmons was a successful business woman who opened the Marie. O. Simmons Shop located on 313 South Main Street in Aberdeen.

Marie O. Simmons Shop

Simmons Field Plaque

Simmons Middle School

One of his farms in the Aberdeen area was later known as the Simmons Addition to the city.  On Oct. 30, 1926 a ceremony was held before the Watertown vs. Aberdeen high school football game that honored Mr. Simmons’ donation of a 12-acre tract of land to Aberdeen.  That gift was used to create a football field called Simmons Field and two schools called Simmons Elementary and Simmons Middle School.  He also gave land east of Moccasin Creek on Melgaard Road to the Aberdeen Swimming Pool Association which was used as a recreational area. 

John C. Simmons was a charter member of the Brown County Territorial Pioneers.  He was influential in moving the county seat from Columbia to Aberdeen, and was elected to the new State Legislature in Pierre in 1889 representing Brown County.  He remained prominent in Republican affairs all his life and in 1953 at the age of 94 attended the Young Republicans convention in Rapid City as the oldest “Young Republican.”  He held continuous membership in the Masonic bodies in Aberdeen for over 50 years, having received the 50-year Scottish Rite cap.

John Curtis Simmons died on Friday, August 20, 1954 at St. Luke’s Hospital at age 96. His funeral was held on Monday, August 23rd at the Masonic Temple in Aberdeen.  His body was then taken to Minneapolis for cremation with final burial later in Schuylerville, NY.

Around the time of his passing, an editorial in the Aberdeen American News stated, “His friends will recall his constant activity in Republican politics but probably more enduring and tangible are his contributions to Aberdeen’s economic progress.  Simmons’ colleagues in public life respected his convictions and his political philosophy.  Believing with liberty loving Dakotans of earlier days that the best government is the least government as he was an ardent advocate of personal freedom.  Aberdeen residents will long remember John C. Simmons who died last week in his 96^th year.”

Anyone with a Simmons' connection or more information on Mr. Simmons, please comment and share on this blog site.