St. Clair County People of Interest



REV. JOHN D. SIMMS (1847 – 1923)

Document in possession of Deb Zabonick and family, which certified Rev, John D. Simms as an Ordained Member in good standing and full fellowship in The Osage Christian Conference, and was recommended to the Christian Community for year ending Sept. 1st, 1890 at Weauhbeau, MO.

Along with the document was this write-up, not sure where it came from.
It is typed and we think a family friend wrote it to put in a story book that was presented to J. D. Simms daughter Talitha Alice Pilant for her 63rd anniversary:

Rev. J. D. Simms was preaching when he was 18 years old but was not
Ordained until later. In October 1887 under his leadership he organized a
group of people in the community of Bethany Christian Church using the
School house for their church during weekends and at night. When the
building was too small for the crowds they built a brush arbor and placed the
seats in the shade of the grand old oaks in the yard.
This grew into a very strong church marking the spot where many souls
found salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. There was an evergreen
Sunday School for many years and a young peoples meeting on Sunday
evenings.
The fourth Sunday in June 1888 was set for homecoming day and each
year since that time people have gathered to worship God and renew old
acquaintances. This church has sent fourth four ministers who has finished
his doctors degrees. Later the little schoolhouse was offered for sale to the
highest bidder. Enough people were interested to say by their action in buying
it, Lets let it stay, some of us still want to worship here, now the little white
Schoolhouse is indeed a little country church.

Post card photo of Pilants Dry Good Store, located in, either Montrose or Gerster MO. It was called Pilant and Son which you can see on the photo's window.
Those in the picture are: Thomas James Pilant with wife Lucy andThomas Bert Pilant with his wife Talitha Alice.

Submitted by Deb Zabonick

An excellent source of on-line family history and photographs:
“Roy T. Simms: An American Story”
Located at: http://www.nonukes.com/Hero.htm
[Note: Picture labeled “Grandpa Simms” is Rev. John D. Simms of St. Clair Co., MO.]

John D. Simms preached at the Kings Prairie Church and surrounding areas in St. Clair Co., MO.



International Genealogical Index:

John D. Simms – Mary Jane Pennington, married 19 March 1864, St. Clair Co., Mo. Batch M515161.

John I. Simms – Sallie Peery, married 25 December 1881, St. Clair Co., Mo. Batch M515161.



Henry Co., MO Marriages (Henry Co., MO USGenWeb site):

BAKER, Lucy Jane to GASH, Woodfin - Jan 8 1857 - at the home of John D. Simms, St. Clair Co, MO.



1880 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township:
Dist. 6, ED 234, Page 24, Line 30, 19 June
209/242 Sims, John D., white male, age 34, married, farmer, born MO
Mary J., white female, age 37, wife, married, keeping house, born MO
William W., white male, age 15, son, single, at home, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO
James, white male, age 13, son, single, at home, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO
Johnie, white male, age 12, son, single, at home, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO
Mary E., white female, age 10, daughter, single, at home, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO
Lovella F., white female, age 5, daughter, single, at home, born MO, both parents born MO
Isaac M., white male, age 2, son, single, at home, born MO, both parents born MO
Benj. S., white male, age 8/12, son, single, at home, born MO, both parents born MO

1900 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township:
Dist. 6, ED 142, Page 5B, Line 52, 6 June
93/95 Simms, John D., head, white male, born 1848, age 52, married 36 years, born KY, both parents born KY, farmer, can read & write, speaks English, owned mortgaged farm, farm # 80
Mary J., wife, white female, born 1844, age 54, married 36 years, 2 children, 2 living, born MO, both parents born TN, can read & write, speaks English
Noah T., son, white male, born June 1884, age 17, single, born MO, father born KY, mother born MO, farm laborer, attended school 3 months, can read & write, speaks English
Talitha A., daughter, white female, born August 1886, age 14, single, born MO, father born KY, mother born MO, attended school 2 months, can read & write, speaks English

1900 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township:
Dist. 6, ED 142, Page 1B, Line 87, 1 June
19/19 Simms, William W., head, white male, born December 1866, age 35, married, 2nd marriage, married 2 years, born MO, both parents born KY, farmer, unemployed 0 months, can read & write, speaks English, renting farm, farm # 19
Margarette W., wife, white female, born January 1879, age 21, married, 2nd marriage, 0 children, 0 living, born MO, father born TN, mother born KY

1900 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township:
Dist. 6, ED 142, Page 4A, Line 26, 5 June
69/71 Simms, Isaac M., head, white male, born April 1878, age 22, married 2 years, born MO, both parents born KY, farmer, unemployed 0 months, can read & write, speaks English, renting farm, farm # 57
Ella E., wife, white female, born August 1879, age 20, married, 2nd marriage, 1 child, 1 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born KY, can read & write, speaks English
Goldy, daughter, white female, born September 1898, age 1, single, born MO, both parents born MO

1910 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township:
Dist. 6, ED 130, Page 8B, Line 73, 3 May
164/164 Simms, William W., head, white male, age 45, married 12 years, 2nd marriage, born MO, father born KY, mother born TN, speaks English, farmer, general farmer, can read & write, owned mortgaged farm, farm # 143
Marget D., wife, white female, age 32, married, 1st marriage, married 12 years, 0 children, 0 living, born IL, both parents born KY, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write

1910 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township:
Dist. 6, ED 130, Page 3B, Line 49, 18 April
41/41 Simms, Isaac M., head, white male, age 32, married 13 years, 1st marriage, born MO, father born VA, mother born MO, speaks English, farmer, general farm, can read & write, owned mortgaged farm, farm # 17
Ella S., wife, white female, age 30, married 13 years, 1st marriage, 2 children, 2 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born KY, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
Golda, daughter, white female, age 11, single, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation, attended school
Bulah, daughter, white female, age 1 year 3/12, single, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation

1910 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Collins Township:
Dist. 6, ED 129, Page 4B, Line 95, 26 April
97/97 John I. Simms, head, white male, age 47, married 28 years, 1st marriage, born MO, both parents born US, speaks English, farmer, general farm, can read & write, owned mortgaged farm, farm # 26
Sallie, wife, white female, age 48, married 28 years, 1st marriage, 2 children, 2 living, born MO, both parents born US, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
Claud R., son, white male, age 21, married, 1st marriage, married 0 years, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, Bookkeeper, Bank, unemployed 0 months, can read & write, not attending school
Rena M., daughter-in-law, white female, age 21, married 0 years, 1st marriage, 0 children, 0 living, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write, not attending school

1910 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township – Gerster Village:
Dist. 6, ED 130, Page 1A, Line 3, 15 April
2/2 Pilant, Thomas B., head, white male, age 27, married 9 years, 1st marriage, born MO, father born TN, mother born KY, speaks English, retail merchant, general store, can read & write, owned mortgaged home
Talitha A., wife, white female, age 24, married 9 years, 1st marriage, 2 children, 2 living, born MO, father born KY, mother born IL, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
Hattie O., daughter, white female, age 4, single, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation
Nettie M., daughter, white female, infant under 1 year, single, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation
Simms, John D., father-in-law, white male, age 65, widowed, born KY, father born VA, mother born KY, speaks English, farm laborer, working out, unemployed 0 months, can read & write

1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Dallas Township:
Dist. 6, ED 139, Page 1A, Line 35, 2 January
10/10 Sparks, John, head, owned home free, white male, age 44, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born IN, speaks English, farmer, general farm
Bessie, wife, white female, age 39, married, can read & write, born MO, father born KY, mother born OH, speaks English, no occupation
Simms, John, lodger, white male, age 72, widowed, can read & write, born KY, father born VA, mother born KY, speaks English, no occupation

1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Collins Township, Collins Village:
Dist. 6, ED 138, Page 4A, Line 25, 9 January
70/70 Simms, John I., head, owned mortgaged home, white male, age 57, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born TN, speaks English, farmer, general farm, farm # 59
Sallie, wife, white female, age 58, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born TN, speaks English, no occupation
Living next door:
71/71 Sparks, William A., head, owned home free, white male, age 72, married, can read & write, born KY, both parents born KY, speaks English, no occupation
Susan, wife, white female, age 63, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation

1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Collins Township:
Dist. 6, ED 138, Page 7B, Line 25, 14 January
167/167 Simms, Claude, head, renting home, white male, age 30, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, assistant cashier, bank
Rena, wife, white female, age 31, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Margaret, daughter, white female, age 8, single, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation
Paul, son, white male, age 1 year 10/12, single, born CO, both parents born MO, no occupation

1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Chalk Level Township:
Dist. 6, ED 137, Page 2B, 13 January
43/44 Simms, Isaac M., head, renting home, white male, age 41, married, can read & write, born MO, father born KY, mother born MO, speaks English, farmer, general farm, farm # 41
Ella S., wife, white female, age 40, married, can read & write, born MO, father born MO, mother born KY, speaks English, no occupation
Fern B., daughter, white female, age 10, single, attended school, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Delozier, Mary J., mother-in-law, white female, age 69, widowed, can read & write, born KY, father born VA, mother born KY, speaks English, no occupation
Charles M., brother-in-law, white male, age 45, single, can read & write, born MO, father born MO, mother born KY, speaks English, no occupation

1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Butler Township – Lowry City:
Dist. 6, ED 124, Page 9B, Line 94, 27 January
129/131 Simms, William W., head, renting home, white male, age 54, married, can read & write, born MO, father born KY, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Margarette, wife, white female, age 41, married, can read & write, born IL, both parents born KY, speaks English, teacher, high school

1920 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Taber Township:
Dist. 6, ED 152, Page 7A, Line 28, 20 January
152/153 Pilant, T.B., head, renting home, white male, age 36, married, can read & write, born MO, father born TN, mother born KY, speaks English, farmer, general farm, farm # 128
T.A., wife, white female, age 34, married, can read & write, born MO, father born KY, mother born IL, speaks English, no occupation
Odessa, daughter, white female, age 13, single, attended school, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Eathel, daughter, white female, age 9, single, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation
Louis, daughter, white female, age 7, single, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation
Georgia, daughter, white female, age 2 years 2/12 months, single, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation

1930 Barton Co., MO Census – Milford Township:
Dist. 15, ED 6-10, Page 2B, Line 83, 10 April
54/54 Pilant, Thomas B., head, owned home, $500 value, owned radio, not living on farm, white male, age 48, married, married at age 19, not attending school, can read & write, born MO, both parents born KY, speaks English, truck driver, truck, at work yesterday, not a Veteran
Talitha, wife, white female, age 45, married, married at age 16, not attending school, can read & write, born MO, father born KY, mother born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Georgia, daughter, white female, age 12, single, attended school, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Paul, son, white male, age 8, single, attended school, born MO, both parents born MO, no occupation

1930 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Collins Township, Collins Town:
Dist. 10, ED 93-7, Page 1A, Line 50, 18 April, living on B Street
17/17 Simms, Claude, head, owned home, $2250 value, not living on farm, white male, age 41, married, married at age 21, not attending school, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, Druggist, Drug Store, at work yesterday, not a Veteran, farm # 2
Rena, wife, white female, age 41, married, married at age 21, not attending school, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, Dress Maker at Home, at work yesterday
Paul, son, white male, age 12, single, attending school, can read & write, born CO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation
Claudine, daughter, white female, age 10, single, attended school, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation



Missouri Archives Soldier’s Database:

Office of Adjutant General: Record of Service Card, Civil War 1861-1865
Box 77, Reel s799
John D. Simms, Private, Civil War, Union.
Enrolled Missouri Militia, 60th Regiment E.M.M., Company E
Service Card – Co. E, Reg’t E.M.M.
Name: John D. Simms
Rank: Private
Commanding Officer: Captain Morton
Enrolled: 23 July 1864, Osceola, Mo.
Ordered into service: 25 July 1864 at Osceola, Mo.
Relieved from duty: 12 March 1865
No. of days actual service: 218



Civil War Pension Index:

John D. Simms
Co. E
Enrolled Missouri Militia
Date of File – 6 July 1891
Application No. 1041629
State filed: Missouri
Attendant: T.W. Tallmadge



World War I Draft Registrations:

Name: Noah Thomas Simms
Address: R.R. 2, Rockville, Bates Co., Mo.
Age: 36 years
Born: 12 June 1882
Race: White
Occupation: Farmer
Employer: Nale Truck Driver
Employer Address: RR 2, Rockville, Bates Co., Mo.
Nearest Relative: Grace Simms
Address of Nearest Relative: RR 2, Rockville, Bates Co., Mo.
Signature: Noah T. Simms
Height: Medium
Build: Slender
Color of eyes: Blue
Color of hair: Brown
Registration date: 12 September 1918



World War I Draft Registration:

Name: Isaac Moses Simms
Address: Rt. 1, Lowry City, St. Clair Co., Mo.
Age: 40 years
Born: 3 April 1878
Occupation: Farmer
Race: White
Name of nearest living relative: Ella Susan Simms
Address of nearest relative: Rt. 1, Lowry City, St. Clair Co., Mo.
Signature: Isaac Moses Simms
Height: Short
Build: Medium
Color of eyes: dark brown
Color of hair: black
Date of Registration: 12 September 1918



Henry Co., MO USGenWeb:

BAILEY, Margaret Levina PILANT SIMMS
Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Henry Co., MO
born: Jan 13 1870, Illinois, died: Sep 18 1955, Clinton, Henry Co, MO
buried: Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Clinton Twp, Henry Co, MO
Clinton Eye, Sep 22 1955 - Retired School Teacher Dies September 18 Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Simms Bailey, 106 West Tebo, retired Henry County School teacher, were conducted September 21, 1955, at Wilkinson Funeral Home. Pallbearers were step-grandsons, J. R. Bailey, and Arnel Wright, step-son, Glover Bailey, and nephews, Don Milam, Robert Wheeler and Jess Wheeler. Burial was in Englewood Cemetery. Margaret Levina Pilant, the daughter of Thomas J. and Lucy M. Pilant, was born Jan.13, 1870, in Illinois. When about 6 years old she moved with her parents to St. Clair County, Mo., southeast of Gerster, and received her education at Weableau. On Feb. 24, 1898, she married William W. Simms of St. Clair County who preceded her in death in 1943. They resided south of Gerster for a while before moving to Clinton, and later to Deepwater and Brownington. Mrs. Simms was persuaded by a teacher who had roomed in her home to further her education which she did at the Warrensburg State Normal and entered the teaching profession. For 34 years she followed her chosen career, her first school being King's Prairie, east of Osceola. She later taught 4 years at Fields Creek, 2 at New Harmony, then one each at Richland and Diamond Point before going to Cass County for two years. For 19 years then she taught at Brownington and in the spring of 1950 announced her retirement after 34 years of devotion to her work, with faithfulness, loyalty, and kindness to all who knew her. The high esteem in which she was held and the love she had for her profession led her to complete two more terms at Tightwad before definitely retiring. At an early age she professed her faith in Christ and united with the Gerster Christian Church. While in Clinton she attended the First Baptist Church. On Oct. 7, 1954, she married Thomas Edgar Bailey. Ill for more than 4 months and hospitalized several times, she died at her home Sunday morning at 6:00, Sept. 18, 1955. She is survived by her husband of the home; four sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Lawrence and Mrs. Pearl Wheeler, Clinton, Mrs. Minnie Mathis, Karnak, Illinois; two brothers, Bert Pilant, Osceola, Robert Pilant, Marysville, Kansas; three step-children, 10 step-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

SHARP, Edwin Ray - 1917 - 1935
Englewood Cemetery , Clinton, Clinton Twp, Henry Co, MO
Clinton MO - Edwin Ray Sharp was born October 8, 1917, in Lowry City, and came to Clinton when he was four. As a lad of 10 he was playing with a rubber and a clothespin when he accidentally shot his eye, which resulted in the loss of sight in that organ. This prevented him from taking an active part in sports, but he loved all kinds of sports, including basketball and baseball. He also liked to bowl and was an expert in that line, being a member of Clinton's bowling team. At the age of 10 he assumed the responsibilities of a man on his shoulders when he took a paper route, and since that age he was practically self-supporting, putting himself through school and bringing home his extra money for his mother. At his death he was employed at the Last Chance Service Station. He tried to take every burden off his mother's shoulders and every trouble that was hers was his, for he always tried to protect her. He joined the Presbyterian church when he was 10 and was a regular attendant at the Sunday school and church services for many years. Helpfulness always characterized his life, and he was always happy, kind and generous. After Ray's death, his mother found among the books and papers of school days a leaflet from a notebook on which he had written "God is glorified not by groans but by our thanksgiving," by Whittle. These words were characteristic of him, and though his mother was saddened by the loss of her boy, the memory of the way he had tried to live this motto lent her new courage. Ray joined the Battery when he grew to young manhood and was promoted to the rank of corporal. He was the Battery clerk and did his work efficiently and neatly. Surviving the young man is his mother, Mrs. Goldie Sharp, and a brother, Billie, who is 14. His father, Walter Sharp, could not be located by radio to inform him of his son's sad death. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Simms, of Gerster, also survive. The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Consalus & Peck funeral home. Arthur Lee, Ray's school superintendent, made a short talk and Dr. D. Ernest McCurry, new pastor of the Presbyterian church, preached the funeral. Burial was in Englewood. Pallbearers were battery boys. Those from out-of-town who came for the funeral were: Frank Redmond, Misses Mary Ann Fulwider, Carrie Calvird, Cenia Calvird, Mrs. Dimple Frala, Mrs. Henry Baxter and Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Tucker, Osceola. Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Simms, Brownington; Messrs. and Mesdames Fred Eckinger, Ray Morrow and daughter, Chauncy Famuliner and son, E. E. Gleeson and family, Mrs. Irene Coryell, Dale Gilkerson, Garden City; Mrs. Tom Terry, Harrisonville; Mrs. Gertrude Pierce and Donald, Messrs. and Mesdames Ross McCully, Loyd Byers, Walter Carroll, Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Simms, Gerster; Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Gishop, Calhoun; Keith Dunham, Tulsa, Okla.



Henry Co., MO Cemetery Records:

Englewood Cemetery, Clinton
Simms, William W., born 1865, died 19 June 1943, age 78 years, buried 19 July 1943, Block 106.5, Lot 0313.75, Grave 04.
Bailey, Margaret Levina Pilant Simms, born 13 January 1870 Illinois, died 18 September 1955 Clinton, Mo., daughter of Thomas J. & Lucy M. Pilant. Married 1st – 24 February 1898 to William W. Simms, 2nd – 7 October 1954 to Thomas Edgar Bailey (buried under name of Simms), age 76 years, buried 21 September 1955, Block 106.5, Lot 0313.75, Grave 05.



St. Clair Co., MO Cemetery Records:

King’s Prairie Cemetery
Simms, Ella (Delozier), wife of Isaac Simms, 12 August 1879 – 13 July 1958
Simms, Flossie L., daughter of N.T. & G.M. Simms, 24 June 1907 – 14 December 1907
Simms, Isaac Moses, 3 April 1878 – 2 July 1968
Simms, Mary J., wife of Rev. John D. Simms, 7 November 1847 – 2 February 1923
Simms, Rev. John D., 27 October 1842 – 5 March 1901

Osceola Cemetery
Simms, Claude R., 25 March 1889 – 14 April 1980
Simms, Rena M., 6 October 1888 – 3 February 1972