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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  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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JACOB W. SIMMONS, one of the representative men of Silver Spring township, was born here Oct, 20, 1855, and in the maternal line of the house is descended from a very distinguished family.

Frederick Stein, father of his mother, was a resident of Silver Spring township, and a very wealthy farmer. He married Mary Smith, of Middletown, and became the father of eight children: Daniel married and lives in Ohio; John married Susan Rhule, of Middlesex township, and lives in Illinois; Christian is married, and lives in Vermont; Joseph married Lydia Lantz, of Hampden township, and both are now deceased; Sarah married John Simmons, and became the mother of our subject; Kate married Philip McGaw, and lives in Shippensburg; Emilia married George Rudy, of Union county, and lives in Piketown, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania; Mary also married John Simmons.

There is but little known of the paternal side of the family. John Simmons was born in Hampden township, there received a common school education, and followed the occupation of farming. He was married first to Sarah Stein, by whom he had three children: Jacob W.; John, who married Elizabeth Spangler, daughter of Amos Spangler, of Silver Spring township, and had three children, Willis, Samuel and Charles, all at home; Sarah, who married George Shumbarger, of Hampden township, and has children, Kate (who married Arthur Adams, of Hampden township, and has one child, Clyde Franklin, at home), Alda, Mary, Agnes, Walter, Franklin, Elsie, Francis and Ruth. The maiden name of the second wife of John Simmons was Mary Stein, she being a sister of his first wife, and by her he had two children: Samuel, who married Anna Hosler, of Hogestown, and has two children, Ira and Viola, both at home, is a butcher; Emma, who married McClellan Walters, of Silver Spring township, now resides in Shiremanstown, and has three children, Cora, Mary and Esther, all at home.

Jacob W. Simmons received a common school education in Silver Spring township, and attended until he was twenty years of age. At that time he commenced farming for himself upon the place he now occupies. About sixteen years ago Mr. Simmons began practicing veterinary surgery, which he had learned at home, and attending lectures, and as he has been very successful, he has been able to build up a large practice in addition to carrying on farming, his property being kept in excellent condition.

On Dec. 21, 1878, Mr. Simmons married Elizabeth Weary, daughter of George W. Weary, of Middlesex township, by whom he had one child, John, unmarried, and living at home. His first wife died on March 12, 1898, and was buried at the stone church above Wertzville. On Dec. 14, 1900, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Albright, daughter of W. A. and Jennie (Hill) Albright of Perry county. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have one child, William Albright. Mrs. Simmons received her education in the common schools of Perry county, finishing when she was about twenty years of age. After leaving school, she resided at home until her marriage. She is a very pleasant lady, an excellent house-keeper, and a devoted wife and mother. She is a consistent member of the Evangelical Church. In politics, Mr. Simmons has been a lifelong Republican, but has never aspired to office.

Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, residing on their excellent farm of 110 acres, all of which is under cultivation, dispense a gracious and generous hospitality to their many friends, and are important factors in the life of the township.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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