Frank G. Simmons

Frank G. Simmons was born on May 31, 1854, to Henry and Emma Simmons. After his mother died in 1859, leaving Frank, Louis, and Samuel, his father remarried the following year. At age 12, Frank lost his father and went to work at a book-binding establishment in New York. After a brief time in the workforce, Frank and his brother Louis were placed in the care of the New York Juvenile Asylum, which sent them west to Monmouth, Illinois, on June 24, 1867. Frank was placed with the Underhill family and Louis with the Paddock family. By 1880, Louis had joined Frank with the Underhill family, which had moved to Seward, Nebraska, and Frank and his new wife Annie soon followed. Frank and Annie had five children together: Ruby, Iva, Arthur, Edith, and Fern. Frank became an involved member of the community, working for the local newspaper and serving as postmaster. In 1895 he was appointed grand orator of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Nebraska and was remembered for delivering his speeches in a masterly manner. He also served as an executive committee member of the Republican League. Later, in 1910, Frank became a traveling insurance agent and district organizer of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, a fraternal benefit society.

Concordia, Kansas · United States