Clay County Biographies
WILLIS M.
SIMMONS
WILLIS M. SIMMONS,
of Simmons & Nowlin, Dealers in Dry goods, clothing,
hats, caps, boots and shoes, etc., Missouri City.
Mr. Simmons has occupied his time since he began to do
for himself with two occupations, principally, namely,
milling and merchandising. He was born in Madison County,
KY., September 18, 1835, and was reared in his native
county.
In 1857 he came to Clay county, Missouri and went to work
in a mill. Three years later he bought an interest in the
CLAYBROOK flouring mills, and was engaged in running that
for about five years. He then came to Missouri City and
ran the mills at this place for the proprietors for some
five years.
In 1870 he quit the milling business and became a member
of the firm of LONG AND SIMMONS, general merchandising
ever since. During this time he has had several partners
at different times, and the present partnership of
SIMMONS AND NOWLIN was formed in 1882. They carry a large
stock in the lines mentioned above and have an excellent
trade.
On the 22nd of March 1860, Mr. Simmons was married to
MISS ELIZA BRASFIELD, a daughter of LEONARD BRASFIELD,
who came to this state from Virginia by way of KY.
Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have four children: GEORGE, express
agent at Missouri City; WILLIAM L. clerk in the store of
Simmons & Nowlin; STONEWALL JACKSON & ROBERT E.
LEE. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the M. E. Church
South. He is a member of the Masonic Order.
For four years following 1870 he was justice of the peace
for Missouri City township. Mr. Simmons' parents were
WILLIAM H. & MOURNING WALDEN SIMMONS, the father of
an old Maryland family, but the mother of a Virginia
family.
They came to Clay county and settled in Washington
township in 1858. The father, a farmer by occupation,
died here in 1867. The mother died here also.
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This page was last updated
June 7, 2005.
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