My Genealogy Hound

John Sims, a pioneer of Marion Township, Newton Co., Mo., was born in Lawrence County, Ind., December 28, 1825, and is a son of William and Sarah E. (Chestnut) Sims, natives of Knox County, Ky. The parents were married in their native county, soon after which they moved to Lawrence County, Ind., settling near what is now Bedford. Remaining there thirty years they sold out and removed to Clay County, Ill., where they purchased a home and resided twenty-eight years. Selling out in 1859, they came to Newton County, Mo., and passed the remainder of their lives with their son John, the father’s death occurring January 8, 1879, and the mother’s July 8, 1888. They were respectively eighty-four and eight-six years old at the time of their deaths. Both were zealous members of the Christian Church. Nine children were born to them, viz.: James (who was born in Knox County Ky., and who served in the Union army until the close of the war), Eliza, Mahala, John, Peter E., Andrew J., George W. (who served four years in the Union army, and who was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain), Marion (who died at Nashville, Tenn., while serving in the Federal army), and Mary J. John grew to manhood in his native State, and was married in Clay County, Ill., to Martha Stipp, who died five years after her marriage, leaving two children, Hamilton and Amanda. Hamilton entered the Union army as a member of Company A, Eleventh Illinois Volunteers, and died while in service; Amanda married Thomas Willoughby. Mr. Sims afterward married Nancy Church, their nuptials being celebrated in Marion County, Ill., January 17, 1850. Mrs. Sims was born November 13, 1832, in Tennessee. Nine children have been born to this union, namely: F. U., Mary, Martha E., Adley, Alice, Fannie J., John S., Benton and Nancy E. Mr. Sims first came to Newton County, Mo., in 1859, and purchased 120 acres of land from Washington Holmes, on which he located and resided about one year, when he sold out and returned to Marion County, Ill. Remaining at the latter place until 1867, he removed to Jasper County, Mo., and, after a short stay there, came back to Newton County and settled on a fine farm of 280 acres, where he now resides, in Marion Township. He is now the owner of over 473 acres, almost all of which are under cultivation, and has given to his children over 1,000 acres. All of his children, except one, Alice, resides near him. Mr. Sims’ life has been one of industry and usefulness, and his declining years are being spent amid the comforts of a good and happy home. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.