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Below is a family biography included in Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1903.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Fred P. Simmons, a member of one of the old pioneer families of Novi township, Oakland County, owns 151 acres of land in section 21, which is probably the best developed fruit farm in the State. Mr. Simmons was born on this beautiful homestead in 1867, and is a son of Richmond C. and Huldah L. (Power) Simmons, the former of whom was born in Livonia Wayne County, Michigan, and the latter in Farmington, Ontario County, New York.

Richmond C. Simmons was a son of Joshua Simmons, who became one of the leading citizens of Oakland County, for years being prominently identified with the development of its industries. Joshua Simmons was born April 12, 1801, at Dighton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, and in the same year his parents removed to Bristol, Ontario County, New York. Joshua attended the local schools and assisted his father until the age of 21 years when he obtained employment at $13 a month. In three years he had accumulated the sum of $225 and with this capital he came to Michigan. He entered 160 acres of wild land in section 6, Livonia township, Wayne County, after which he returned for two years to New York. On January 13, 1826, he was married to Hannah Macomber of Bristol, New York, and in the succeeding September they started to found their home in the wilderness of Michigan. The probable hardships did not daunt them, although, the way was long and tiresome and privations were awaiting them at the end. They crossed Lake Erie to Detroit on the old steamboat “Superior” and were then 19 miles from their destination. In order to reach the selected land, it was necessary at that time to make a circuit of 30 miles, which took three days to accomplish. Mr. Simmons had brought with him a few tools; although no carpenter, he was a natural mechanic and these tools gave him the means of supporting his family until he was able to realize from his farm. He built the first frame barn in the town of Plymouth in 1827, and he also built the first structure of this kind in Livonia township, which was on his own farm. He hewed the timber for the first mill built in Plymouth and also for the first one built in Farmington. In 1841 he demolished his first log house and in its place erected a new residence which for many years was the finest in this section of country. He was a man of great energy and enthusiasm, a typical pioneer, honest and upright and the soul of hospitality. In his political faith he was a Jackson Democrat. The seven children of Joshua and Hannah (Macomber) Simmons were: Richmond C.; Lawrence W., of Pontiac; William T., deceased; Morell, of Northville, Wayne County; Mary E., widow of Caleb Sprague, now living in Farmington township, Oakland County; Jennie E., deceased; and Helen M., of Delray, Michigan.

The mother of our subject also belonged to an honored old pioneer family of this county. She was born in Farmington, Ontario County, New York, and was a daughter of Ira and Amy (Lapham) Power. Her parents came to Michigan when Mrs. Simmons was an infant, during the administration of President Jackson. In 1826 Mr. Power secured a section of government land in Livonia township, Wayne County, and there the remainder of his life was passed. The only surviving members of his large family are the mother of our subject and her youngest brother, Abram, now a resident of Kent City, Kent County, who married Orpha Smith, since deceased, and has one son, Harry.

The father of our subject received the homestead farm from his father and lived upon it until his death, December 31, 1902. His widow survives and two sons, William Ira and Fred P. The former married Harriet Shoesmith and they reside in Novi township, having three children, — Floy, Ethel and Morell.

Fred P. Simmons secured his primary education in the schools of Novi township, and later attended the Northville High School and took a commercial course at the Detroit Business College. Since taking entire charge of the farm, Mr. Simmons has converted it into a fruit farm, and his apple orchards are conceded to be among the best in the State as to quality and productiveness. The output for the current year will reach 1,500 barrels of fine apples, and with the foreign demand for American fruit constantly growing, this represents a large amount of money. Through Mr. Simmon’s intelligent care, his orchards are constantly kept up to a certain standard. The whole farm is one of great attractiveness. The handsome brick residence and comodious barn are surrounded by beautiful shade trees and the air of thrift and comfort which prevails everywhere gives the visiting stranger a great desire to seek no further for an ideal rural home.

On June 11, 1889, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage with Belle Sutton, who is the only child of George and Clarissa (Entrican) Sutton, the former of whom was born in Canada and came to Michigan in 1861, purchasing a farm in Novi township, Oakland County. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have four interesting children, namely: Lucile, born August 23, 1890; Arthur, born April 3, 1892; George, born November 17, 1894; and Fred B. born May 31, 1898. Mr. Simmons is affiliated with the Democratic party. He is well known all through Oakland County and is a man who enjoys the esteem of all with whom he has business relations.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published in 1903. 

View additional Oakland County, Michigan family biographies here: Oakland County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Oakland County, Michigan here: Oakland County Michigan Map

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