My Genealogy Hound

Col. Thomas S. Simington. The name that heads this sketch is that of one of the oldest settlers of this vicinity, whose entire life in this county has been such as to win him the respect and esteem of all who are favored with his acquaintance. His father, Robert Simington, was a Scotch man who emigrated to the United States when twenty-two years of age, and being of an adventurous turn of mind, and nothing daunted by the talk of Indian troubles, determined to seek his fortune in the “far West,” and accordingly pushed on westward. From the city of Pittsburgh, Penn., he floated down the Ohio River on a flatboat, and made a landing at Cincinnati, Ohio, which place then consisted of two cabins, and from there went overland to Fayette County, Ky., becoming one of the very first settlers of that State. While making the toilsome journey to this State he was frequently surrounded by Indians, having trouble with them at various times, and had frequently to depend on the block-houses for protection. After making his home in Fayette County for some time, he removed to Henry County of the same State, where he made his home until 1827, when he removed to Jefferson County, Ind., for the purpose of educating his children and giving them the advantages of Hanover College. He came to the United States without means, but possessing the sterling characteristics of his ancestors he was very successful in his farming enterprises, and at the time of his death in 1849, at the age of seventy-six years, he was quite a wealthy citizen. He lavished his wealth freely in educating his children, was always a kind and considerate father, and his memory is still respected and revered by them to a wonderful degree. He was a stanch Whig in politics, and was in favor of colonizing the colored race. His wife, Nancy McWilliams by name, was born in Virginia, and removed with her parents to Kentucky when she was a young girl, and in that State she was married to Mr. Simington. She died in Jefferson County, Ind., about two years after the death of her husband, when about sixty-four years of age. Both she and her husband were members of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years he was an elder in that church, and was holding that position at the time of his death. Of the seven daughters and five sons born to their union nine lived to maturity, and four are living at the present time: Robert S., who has been a Presbyterian minister since a young man, and is now located at San Diego, Cal.; Martha R., widow of William Finley, and is now residing in Independence, Mo.; Myra, widow of Gen. Lucas, also located at Independence, and Col. Thomas S. The latter, owing to his father’s liberality, received an excellent education in Hanover College, and when nineteen years of age he went to Boonville, Mo., where he was engaged in teaching school and clerking for several years. After residing in Palestine, Ill., for about three years, he moved to Randolph County, Ark., and has since been actively engaged in farming, the first few years being also spent in wielding the ferule. He is now the owner of some of the best farming lands in the county, and is one of the prosperous citizens. He served as county surveyor prior to the Rebellion, and in 1861 was elected sheriff and collector of the county. The following year he organized a company to serve thirty days in the Confederate army, then enlisted in Company A, and was made first lieutenant. He was soon after elected lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-fifth Infantry, but after serving two years was discharged on account of disability. He was at the battles of Tupelo and Perryville, and although his loss in money matters was very heavy during the war, he has been very successful in accumulating worldly goods. January 1, 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Emily B. Russell, a daughter of one of the oldest settlers of Randolph County, Ark., Col. James G. Russell. She was born in the county July 20, 1833. Her union with Mr. Simington was blessed in the birth of eight children, of whom two died in infancy and six are now living: Williamson T. and Francis L., farmers of the county; Ida J., wife of Benjamin F. Bigger of Pocahontas; Thomas F., a merchant of Eastern Texas; Minnie and Mattie, at home. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which Mr. Simington is a trustee and steward. He is one of the oldest Masons in the county, and although a Whig in politics until 1856, he has since been a Democrat. He has always been a public-spirited citizen, and is a patron of education and all worthy enterprises.