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Obituaries 2
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| Miscellaneous Articles |
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| Robert M. Simmers, pure food agent in the Philadelphia district for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, retired on June 15 after 29 years of service. He became food official for the State in 1896 and since that time he has waged a constant war against the sale of doped food products in eastern Pennsylvania. For the past sixteen years he has been in charge of the Bureau's activities in Philadelphia and surrounding counties. His work in Philadelphia in cleaning up the oleomargarine, rotten egg, painted fish, cold storage eggs and meat, and filled milk frauds has established for him an enviable record. In wiping out these frauds, he took over 6,000 samples of suspected producted and prosecuted more than 4,000 cases int he courts, losing less than five percent of them. Few men have given a fuller life of service to their fellow men than Mr. Simmers. He was born in a log house at Warwick Furnaces, Pennsylvania in 1845. Hi grandfather, Daniel Simmers, made cannons for Washington's army in the Revolutionary days. At the age of 16 Mr. Simmers enlisted in the Union army, fought in thirteen battles of the Civil War, was wounded at the battle of South Mountain in 1862 and was honorably mustered out after a service of three years. After the war he operated a small fruit farm and his first work for the State was to attend farm meetings giving lectures on fruit gorwing. His work as food agent, starting in 1896, makes him the oldest in point of service of any person in the Department of Agriculture. Commenting on Mr. Simmers' retirement, F. P. Willits, Secretary of Agriculture, said: "Mr. Simmers' work has been of the highest order and his retirement is a well-earned recognition of a long, faithful and efficient service to the Commonweatlh." "Mr. Simmers has been the kind of a worker it was a pleasure to have on the force," stated James Foust, retiring director of the bureau of foods and chemistry. He was a fearless and tireless public servant and got results because his heart was in his work." (taken from Times 6/27/1925) 20 years ago today, Robert M. Simmers, Phoenixville, prepared to retire as field agent for the Penna. Bureau of Foods (taken from Republican 4/4/1944) 10 years ago today, Robert M. Simmers, former state pure food agent, died at Phoenixville. (taken from Republican 5/2/1944) 20 years ago today, Robert M. Simmers, Phoenixville, resigned post as Philadelphia agent for Pennsylvania Pure Food Bureau (taken from Republican 5/18/1945) Robert M. Simmers of Schuylkill township, was born in Warwick township, Chester County, in 1846. Bob has three hobbies, patriotism, Republicanism and domestic peace. When only fifteen years old Bob entered Co. A, 53d Regiment, Penna. Volunteers, Colonel John R. Brooke, commanding on August 13, 1861 and after serving three years at the front returned in December 1864. He was wounded at the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, 1862 and was captured at Bull Run, but being naturally shrewd, managed to elude the rebels and escaped. Bob participated with distinction in the battles of Williamsburg, siege of Yorktown, Fiar Oaks, Gaines Mill, White Oak Swamp, Seven Days' Fight, Malvern Hill, second Fredericksburg and several others. After his return from the war Bob attended Pughtown Seminary where he gained a sound??? When Bob was down in Old Virginia he cast a ballot for Lincoln although but eighteen year old and ever since he has voted the straight ticket without a scratch. Sound of principle and having a well poised mind Bob's merits were recognized in his own township and for three terms he filled the office of School Director. For nine years he was a County Committeeman and id much for the success of the party in his district. Bob's grandfather on his paternal side, assisted in the manufacture of cannon at the old Warwick Furnaces for use in the REvolutionary War. The statesman-soldier married Mary E. Jones, of Phoenixville and he say that mother Mary is the best woman on earth. Their union was blessed with six children, three sons and three daughters. One son is chief book-keeper for a prominent firm in Philadelphia; the other graduated at State College and the third son graduated at the Phoenixville High School. |
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