My Genealogy Hound

WIILLIAM W. SIMS, who since 1870 has been a resident of a splendid estate on section 19, township 46, range 28, is one of the influential residents of this section. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on one hundred and twenty acres, which property he has made one of the most desirable and beautiful tracts in the county.

Our subject is the son of Richard Sims, a Kentuckian by birth, from which state he started for Missouri. He died from cholera, while en route, and was taken from the boat and buried at Boonville. Our subject being the eldest son of the family, the responsibility of their support fell upon him. They continued their way to this state, and, locating in Cooper County, rented a farm, securing from its products a good income for his mother, brother and sisters. The mother, who was in her maidenhood Priscilla Bishop, was born in Virginia and died in Johnson County in 1868. The ten children of whom she was the mother were Mary Elizabeth, deceased; William Wesley, of this sketch; Martha, unmarried, and living in Kentucky; Arminda, a resident of the Cherokee Nation; Sarah, Benjamin Franklin and Lucinda, deceased; Nancy, a resident of Anderson County, Kan.; John B. engaged in business in Joplin, Mo.; and Rhoda W., who makes her home in Cass County, this state.

The subject of this sketch was born April 22, 1833, near Pruitt’s Knob, Ky., which is located in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave. As his father lived on a farm, he was trained to a full knowledge of agriculture, and when left with the care of the family was fully able to assume the management of an estate. He was permitted to attend school only a few months in each year, but as he made the best of his limited opportunities, gained a fair knowledge of the common branches taught.

As before stated, on first coming to Missouri, Mr. Sims settled in Cooper County, near Pisgah. He farmed this rented tract from 1850 to 1863, when he removed to Iowa, and spent the following three years in agricultural pursuits in Taylor County. At the end of that time we find him again living in Cooper County, whence he came soon after to Johnson County. This was in 1867, and his first location was on property three miles from his present place of residence. The latter he bought in company with his brother, and at that time it comprised only forty acres. As the years passed by and he became more prosperous in his ventures, he bought the interest of his brother in the estate and has made it his home ever since. It now includes one hundred and twenty acres, well improved and comparing favorably with the best in the township. This state of affairs has been brought about by his indefatigable industry and good management, as when it came into his possession it bore no improvements whatever.

The marriage of our subject, which occurred in 1857, united him with Sallie Ann Longley, who was born in Cooper County, in 1837. Her parents, Leonard and Tabitha Longley, who were natives of Tennessee, are both dead. They moved to Iowa during the Civil War, but on their return to Missouri spent their last days in Miller. Mrs. Sims died about seven years ago, leaving a daughter, Nancy M., who is her father’s housekeeper. Our subject has an adopted son, William E. Banes, whom he took to his home when a boy.

At the time of his marriage our subject had but $5 in money, and one-half of this was required to pay the preacher for performing the wedding ceremony. He was not afraid of work, however, and with the assistance rendered by his good wife soon bought land and from its cultivation was enabled to lay by each year a sum of money which will maintain him comfortably in his declining years.

In 1859 Mr. Sims went to Denver, Colo., with the expectation of returning home wealthy as the result of working in the gold mines. Like many others at that time, he was disappointed in this, but at the same time made the trip pay, as he took with him two teams loaded with supplies, which he disposed of at an immense profit. However, he has since been satisfied to follow farming in Missouri. Mr. Sims has led a very active and temperate life, enjoys good health, and promises to live to a good old age. He has never aspired to office-holding, but is a man of public spirit, interested in local affairs and the improvement of his community.