ABEL SIMMONS

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF TOLLAND AND WINDHAM COUNTIES CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 747

ABEL SIMMONS, the grandfather of Mrs. Brown, was a farmer during his active life in Ashford. He married Hannah Holmes, a relative of Oliver Wendell Holmes, who bore him six children as follows: John, a lawyer, and graduate of Middlebury College, who married a Miss Bell; Alva, who married Tryphena Burnham, and died in Ashford; Abel, who married and died in Windham, Conn.; Benjamin C., the father of Mrs. Brown; Tabatha, who was the third wife of Dr. Joseph Palmer, and died in Ashford; and Percy, the first wife of Gen. Stephen Palmer, who died at Warrenville.

Benjamin C. Simmons was born in Ashford and previous to his marriage conducted a store in that town. He later located in the eastern part of the town for about fourteen years, removing eventually to Ashford Village, where he died, March 29, 1866, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a Democrat in politics, and held numerous offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. He was an excellent penman, and this accomplishment made him the undisputed choice of both parties for the office of town clerk, a position maintained for thirty-one years. He was also probate clerk for one term, and he represented the town in the Legislature for a term. He was a prominent man withal, and popular. He married Mariette Byles, daughter of Ebenezer and Betsey (Marcy) Byles, who survived him, and died in Springfield, Mass., Jan. 30, 1884, at the age of seventy-seven. This couple are buried in Ashford Village cemetery. To them were born five children, viz: Laura A., unmarried and living in Springfield, Mass.; Harriett, also unmarried and living in Springfield; Mrs. John A. Brown (Sarah B.); Edwin C., deceased when young; Ellen P., first wife of Clark Fenton, and afterward married to Henry L. Goodrich, with whom she is now living in Springfield, Mass. By her first marriage there was one daughter, Mario E., at present attending Wellesley College.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel – great-great granddaughter of Cyrus White of Rockville, Ct.