My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH H. SIMMERS, merchant and postmaster at Maple Glen, in Horsham township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is descended from an old Virginia family. He is a native of Horsham township, where he was born April 26, 1830. He was reared to farm pursuits, and educated in the public schools. He is the son of Eli and Elizabeth (Walton) Simmers, both of Horsham township. Eli’s father was a native of Virginia, who came to Montgomery county and settled in Horsham township.

Eli Simmers after his marriage conducted for twenty-one years a farm owned by Mr. Perot, who resided in Philadelphia. He then purchased a farm in Upper Dublin, on which he remained during the rest of his life. He was a successful farmer. In politics he was a Republican. He filled for some time the office of township supervisor. He died in 1868. He attended Friends’ meeting. He farmed in a general way and attended market, being successful in securing a competency. His wife died some years before Mr. Simmers. She was a daughter of Jeremiah Walton, of a well known family of Friends long resident in Montgomery county. In his later life he was a widower, and made his home with his daughter. The children of Jeremiah Walton: Silas, Lukens, Daniel, Thomas, Elizabeth, wife of Eli Simmers; Mary, who was the second wife of Eli Simmers.

The children of Eli and Elizabeth Simmers: Rachel (Mrs. T. Gordon); Rebecca (Mrs. S. Jones); Mary (Mrs. Albert Walton); Joseph H., subject of this sketch; Charles, a wheel-wright, residing near Newtown; Ellwood, who died in 1860; Barclay, who died in 1876. Ellwood married and left one daughter. All were reared in the Society of Friends.

Joseph H. Simmers remained under the parental roof until he arrived at the age of manhood. In 1856 he married and engaged in farming on his own account, having rented the homestead farm from his father. He remained there until his father’s death. Later he purchased a smaller farm, and later he removed to Upper Dublin township and bought another farm, remaining there twelve years. He then sold it and bought five acres and the store buildings in which he is now doing business. He is a Republican in politics but has never sought political preferment of any kind. Mr. Simmers bought and occupied his present place of business in 1892. He carries a full stock of all kinds of goods desired by his customers. He meets the wants of the people who trade with him, and is a practical and successful merchant. Mr. Simmers had the post-office established at Maple Glen, and received the appointment of postmaster in 1893 under the Cleveland administration, and he continues to hold it to the present time.

Mr. Simmers married Miss Susan Barnes, a native of Philadelphia, where she was born April 10, 1836. She is the daughter of Abraham and Mary (Heft) Barnes, the father of Sumneytown and of German descent, the mother of Germantown. Abraham Barnes was a drayman in Philadelphia for many years. He accumulated a competency, retired from business, and died in 1869. He was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. His widow died in 1876. Their children: Emeline, Mrs. J. Sines; Eliza, Mrs. J. Kezatt; John, served in the army during the Rebellion; Jacob, deceased, assisted his father; George, a carpenter; Susanna, Mrs. Joseph H. Simmers.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Simmers: Harrington, died young; Mary E., unmarried; William, died young; Elizabeth, died at the age of three years; Ida died at the age of forty years, was the wife of H. Stout, and left two children; Edwin W., assisting in store; Walter G., a traveling salesman. Mr. Simmers attends Friends’ Meeting at Horsham.

Mrs. Simmers died May 16, 1904, after a companionship with her husband of nearly a half century.