Eli Sims, also spelled Simms, was a White County farmer, educator, road commissioner, county trustee, and chairman of the White County Quarterly Court who established the first cotton gin in White County. Born in Larne, Ireland, he settled in White County in 1810 and built this house in 1824, thought to be the first brick house in the county. He married Rachel Townsend in 1807, and they reared 12 children. Sims is buried in the old Zion Cemetery.