James Simmers and Catherine (Rudolph) Simmers, both, of Prussia! - Genealogy - http://maxpages.com/simmerssurname/James

Anton Zimmer
son:
Wiric Wilhelm Zimmer
son: James Simmers, b.1802
in Prussia
son: William Simmers,
b. 1841, in Prussia.

James Simmers' father is Wiric Wilhelm Zimmer
and his Grandfather is Anton Zimmer. The
family changed their name in the 1860's with
Zimmer, Simmers, and Simmers showing up in the
church records in Schuylkill County.

William SIMMERS, superintendent of mines of
Frugality, this county (CAMBRIA COUNTY), was
born in Prussia, German Empire, in 1841. He is
a son of James and Catharine (Rudolph) SIMMERS,
originally known as Gerhard Zimmer, born in
Palmersheim Prussia in 1802. (Catharine Rudolph)
real name is Anna Catharina Rodorf. His father
James SIMMERS, also a native of Prussia, was a
carpenter by trade, and followed this occupation
while in the land of his nativity. He also served
six years in the German army, as is required of
all citizens of this country. In 1842 he emigrated
with his family to America, and located at
St Clair, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania where he
worked at his trade of a carpenter all his life.
His marriage with Catharine RUDOLPH, of Prussia,
the mother of our subject, resulted in the birth
of nine children, four sons and five daughters:
Margaret Simmers, was the wife of John WISHER,
of Schuylkill county;
Catharine Simmers, the wife of George SCHETZER, of
Schuylkill county;
Charles Simmers, was a soldier in the Civil War;
Joseph Simmers, also a soldier in the Civil War;
William Simmers;
Catharine Simmers, widow of John YOUMER,
of Potsville, Pennsylvania;
Mary Simmers, widow of Nicholas CUNNINGHAM;
Harry Simmers, a section boss State of Texas, also
served his country in the Civil War; and
Elizabeth Simmers, of Latrobe, PA.

Mr SIMMERS with his family was identified with the
Roman Catholic Church, a devout member.

William SIMMERS came to America with his parents when
but a child. He received a limited education in the
public schools of Schuylkill county, and when ten
years old was employed in the Schuylklill county
mines, were by perserverance and close application
to business he arose from one position to another
until at the age of twenty-seven years he became mine
boss. He has worked all through the anthracite coal
region, occupying various responsible positions. As
mine boss he has been unusually successful in avoiding
the terrible accidents incident to mining.

In 1872 he removed to Sullivan county, where he was
employed as a boss throughout the semi-anthracite
region until 1882. In the later year he removed to
Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in mining
coal on his own account for a few years, and then
returned to the hard coal region, where he took charge
of the Rough and Ready shaft at Pittston, now known as
the Phoenix colliery. After remaining there five years,
he returned to Bradford county for a few years, and
then located in Arnett, Tioga county, Pennsylvania,
where he accepted a position as mine superintendent.
After an experience of three years in this field he
removed in September,1889, to his present home in
Frugality, this county, and became superintendent of
mines. The company had opened but one colliery when he
took the position; since then four others have been
opened, and all are in operation, employing about two
hundred and seventy-five men. Mr SIMMERS has explored
about all the coal land under the control of his
company, extending over an area of five thousand acres.
In politics, he is a staunch republician, and in
religious faith is a memeber of the Roman Catholic
church. In 1859 he married Miss Emma GRADEWELL
(a native of England), of Schuylkill county.
Their marriage has resulted in the birth of the
following children:
Emma Simmers;
George Simmers, a mine boss of Frugality;
Margaretta Simmers, wife of William HALL, of
Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania;
William Simmers, a miner of Frugality;
Catharine Simmers, the wife of Matthias FALSEY of
Frugality;
Frank Simmers;
Harry Simmers;
Abbie Simmers;
Michael Simmers;
Joseph Simmers, a blacksmith, of
Frugality;
Emma Simmers;
Charles Simmers;
Thomas Simmers;
Mary Simmers; and
James Simmers.

"James Simmers" from the Cambria County PA
'Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia'.

Information supplied by: Dave Simmers!
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Page Updated Fri Jun 8, 2001 3:19am EDT