Charles Bruce Simmons
1861-1911

   

The Simmons' headstone in Evergreen Cemetery, Pine Plains, Dutchess County, NY (photos circa late 1990s or early 2000s).  It reads as follows:

Death of Charles B. Simmons

Charles B. Simmons, Supervisor-elect from the town of Milan, died at his home in Lafayetteville about 9:45 o'clock Tuesday, December 26, 1911, in the 51st year of his age.  Mr. Simmons was in Pine Plains last Wednesday and was taken with a chill, and pneumonia quickly developed, which was the cause of death.  His condition was not regarded as critical until Christmas Day when he had a sinking spell and lapsed into unconsciousness and did not rally.

Mr. Simmons was the son of the late William Simmons, a member of one of the old northern Dutchess families fifty years ago.  The mother of deceased, who still survives him, was Catherine Hermans, a daughter of the late Richard Hermans of Pine Plains.  He was born in the town of North East May 11, 1861.  He married Alma (sic. - should be "Elma") Bowman, daughter of John S. Bowman.

In 1894 he moved to the farm at Lafayetteville and engaged at farming, though he was also a dealer in agricultural implements and machinery.  For some years he has been secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, of Milan, Pine Plains, and Stanford, and conducted its affairs in correct and business manner.  He was a member of Pine Plains Lodge of Odd Fellows, and Milan Church, and in all respects a good man and citizen.

Mr. Simmons represented his town in the Board of Supervisors in 1908 and 1909.  At the election last month he was again elected and would have commenced his term of office on January 1.  His death will be sincerely mourned, and a full measure of sympathy is extended to his aged mother, his wife, and children, Harrison, Mrs. Charles Herrick, Florence, and Dorothy.

Funeral services at the Pine Plains Methodist Church this (Thursday) morning at 11 o'clock.  The services at the grave in Evergreen Cemetery conducted by Pine Plains Lodge of Odd Fellows.

Tuesday morning, Dec. 26, 1911, the subject of this sketch departed this life.  In our weakness and frailty we cannot understand why he who seemed so well and so strong, so full of life and energy, so able and willing to serve his town, should be called away at such a time and so suddenly.  The citizens of Milan have lost a good neighbor and faithful friend.  By reason of his experience, the town has lost one who was eminently qualified to care for its interests and advance its welfare, as he was secretary and treasurer of the Town Ins. Company, and had served one term as Supervisor, and had he lived would have looked after Milan's interests for another term.

But there are some who by reason of his death have suffered a still greater loss.  The home circle, which to him was the center of his earthly affections, has been broken.  The mother has lost a dutiful son, his children have lost a loving parent, and she who for so many years had been the object of his tenderest care and solicitude, a true and devoted husband.  He was a member and trustee of the West Pine Plains Christian Church and will be greatly missed.  By his lofty character and his devotion to duty he became thoroughly embedded in the confidence of those who knew him.  He lived a life of rectitude and died with the genuine regret of all who knew him.

In this world, if we conduct ourselves so as to justly merit the esteem and confidence of our fellow-men, and establish a character for sterling integrity, for lofty patriotism, for unswerving loyalty to duty and the possession of Christian principles, we will not have lived our life in vain.  Such was the conduct and such the character of Charles B. Simmons, and his children, and his children's children may delight in the possession of this rich heritage which he so surely has transmitted to them.

His funeral was largely attended at the M. E. Church, Pine Plains.  His pastor, Rev. Bemis S. Crosby, of the Christian Church, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Peters, pastor of the Milan M. E. Church.

With this poor tribute, we must bid him farewell.  We leave his mortal remains in the cemetery at Pine Plains.  There let the low winds over valley and mountains lie down to a requiem in his memory.  In his life work, although he was cut off before his career had reached its full fruition of accomplishment, there is nevertheless an inspiration, and an example which will be like a flower of perennial bloom, to all those who knew him.