Jonathan Oscar Simmons III: Finding Aids : MNHS.ORG


	Creator:	Simmons III, Jonathan Oscar, creator.
	Title:	Jonathan Oscar Simmons III papers.
	Dates:	1850-1885.
	Language:	Materials in English.
	Abstract:	A collection of maps, account books, and related manuscript materials related to the career of Jonathan Oscar Simmons III, a land speculator, developer, hotelier, businessman, vigilante, surveyor, lawyer, civil servant and homeopath working in and around Little Falls, Minnesota from 1854 to the late 1870s.
	Quantity:	0.75 cubic feet (1 box and 3 oversize folders, unboxed).
	Location:	See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Jonathan Oscar Simmons III was born to parents Jonathan Oscar Simmons II and Abigail Briggs in 1821. Simmons III married Harriet Hurd Lee Simmons in Bloomfield, New York in 1846. Their children included Frank Bradley Simmons, Jonathan Simmons IV, Charles G. Simmons, William L. Simmons, and Mary Simmons Tanner. The Simmons family lived in Medina, Ohio before relocating to Little Falls, Minnesota in 1856.

Jonathan Oscar Simmons III career included numerous roles in the Little Falls, Minnesota area, and short lived business endeavours elsewhere in the United States. When the Simmons family first moved to Little Falls, J.O. Simmons operated a mercantile business and the Northern Hotel in Little Falls. In 1858, J.O. Simmons took part in vigilantism to quell a rise in lawlessness. During the Civil War and Reconstruction era, the Simmons family also operated a plantation supply store in St. Louis, Missouri and Wilson Point, Louisiana, and the MacIntosh Plantation in Louisiana in the late 1860s.

It appears J.O. Simmons and his family resettled in the Little Falls area around 1867, and he established himself as a land speculator, surveyor, developer, hotelier, lawyer, and public servant. His numerous public offices included Coroner, Justice of the Peace, Probate Judge, County Attorney, and Register of Deeds. Around 1874, J.O. Simmons made the career change to homeopathic physician, and he served as president of Little Falls Village Council from 1887 to 1888.

J.O. Simmons died in 1890.

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These papers are organized into the following sections:


	Account books

	Minnesota territorial and early statehood surveying and road maps

	Documents

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Jonathan Oscar Simmons III Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Provenance:

The collection was purchased from Zephyr Used & Rare Books of Vancouver, Washington, who purchased it from the estate of Frank Bradley Simmons.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 17,957

Processing Information:

Processed by: Leif Kopietz, May 2024

Catalog ID number: 9989858140004294

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Location

Box

P3311

1

Detailed inventory provided by Zephyr Used & Rare Books.

Includes historical information and data on J.O. Simmons and his family and additional description for each item, including document type and physical characteristics, historical context related to items, and sometimes more detailed description for items.

1. J.O. Simmons account book. Wilson Point, Louisiana, 1865.

First page states:" Field notes on 300 acres on Quay plan..." Includes annotations, corrections, calculations, pricing, and diagrams regarding improvements made to a Simmons family plantation in Louisiana, including expansion of hog carrying capacity, livestock, and hemp production.

2. Account book, 1865-1867.

Hotel accounts and expenses, as well as personal expenses, while Simmons ran the Northern Hotel in Little Falls, Minnesota. Lists purchases for carpenter, blankets, easel, cow and calf, books, bedsteads, carpets, and more. Some personal expenses include dresses for his wife and girls, shoes, music lessons, collars, and school books.

3. J.O. Simmons memoranda (account book), 1857.

List of soup plates, soup stands, sugars, creamers, pitchers, and soup spoons. Also includes cash expenditures for shoeing horses, cash paid for oats, livestock feed, and showing hogs. The account book also includes collecting revenues and monies information from John Johnson, O.A. Churchill, Putnam, Webb, David Gilman, and Henderson.

4. Diary and memorandum book for New York: published annually for trade, 1858.

Includes numerous accounts of an outbreak of lawlessness and vigilantes in Little Falls, Minnesota.

5. MilLac book (account book for the Millac Company), undated.

Notes on supplies, goods, and timber cut and hauled.

6. J.O. Simmons act (account) of notes payable, 1857.

Lists amounts owed to various individuals in and around Little Falls, Minnesota. The following names are included: E. Bissell Esq., J. Snell, J. Kerns, E.O. Phillips, Joseph Kerr, Alfred Hotskish, P. Klinker, John Snell, and William Sturgis.

7. Notes for commission of 1862 of Olson Wilson. Little Falls, Minnesota: J.O. Simmons, 1862-1871.

Account book which opens on the front cover and pastedown as commission book for Wilson (Wilson Point, Louisiana). Also included are descriptions of Charles W. Darby’s claim to 80 acres and his claim on a homestead (August 1870) and milk deliveries made by the Simmons family to L. Byer, Ezra Briggs, Thomas Hyson, Lyman Ayres, and Tyler Summer (1871).

8. Store accounts, May 29, 1867-approximately June 1867.

Transcription of account book is included.

Store accounts for store at Wilson Point, Louisiana and possibly Skipworth's Landing in Louisiana during Reconstruction. This account book records the business activities of J.O. Simmons while dealing with J.H. Wilson, while he engaged, hired, and sold to “Freedmen”. Note on front pastedown begins with barrels of meal to J.H. Wilson delivered to his plantation in 1867. The account book records sales of necessities, including shoes, thread, coats, vests, sugar, soap, mosquito bars, meal, cotton cards, tobacco, and whiskey. Other entries mention sales of dealing in molasses, military coats, and other clothing. The specific names mentioned for the “Freedmen” and others who frequented the stores at Wilson Point and Skipworth's Landing include: Andrea Jenkins, Lildy, George Washington, Martha, Jane and Tom Robson, McBee, Henry Hawkins, Thurlow Morison, Easter Blackburn, Jane Roberson, Mary Ann Hilliard, Green Ramsey, Ylbert McBee, and Gothert. Simmons also hired out teams to J.H. Wilson, and also includes specific register for cash for the store.

9. J.O. Simmons (plantation account book), 1865-1868.

The original account book, typed notes, and photocopies of the account book are included.

Account book details business at Wilson Point, Louisiana, and wages paid to freedmen on the plantation owned and operated by J.H. Wilson and J.O. Simmons. Includes timetables for wages paid at the MacIntosh Plantation operated by J.O. Simmons.

10. Account book the inscription, "Mary Simmons Little Falls, Minnesota," approximately 1861.

The original and photocopies of the account book are included.

Includes various accounts of land cultivation efforts with and numerous entries of sales and payments to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota, including entries for payment of muskrats and sales of tobacco, flour, calico, spool thread, and calico. Names listed for payments and sales include: Nawogesic, Antonia, Miswassope, Sisness Mama, Jack, Papa up East, Pasegruen, Ezra Briggs, Saguank, and Squaw Nogeness. The account book also includes a handwritten glossary of English and Ojibwe language translations.

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Location

Folder

A2/ov8 Drawer 4

1

1. Map of the Mississippi River, possibly Little Falls, Minnesota, approximately 1849-1854.

This map appears to show the river at what is Little Falls, Minnesota, and not Minneapolis, Minnesota, which it was initially identified as in the detailed inventory provided by Zephyr Used & Rare Books. The map illustrates Boom Island, Maple Island, and Mill Island.

Location

Folder

A2/ov8 Drawer 4

2

2. Johnson, C.B. (surveyor). Onawa, West Union, Minnesota - large manuscript map, June 1, 1858.

Plat map for proposed town that never was built proposed on the Sauk River in Morrison County, Minnesota.

Location

Folder

A2/ov8 Drawer 4

1

3. Cross line of road between Military and Granite City Road, Dakota County... June 1, 1858.

4. Table of distances via State Road from St. Cloud to Breckenridge, undated.

5. Warwood, Thomas (surveyor). Partial Road from Little Falls to Granite City: commencing on the Correctional Line... April 9, 1859.

Strip map that illustrates partial road from Little Falls to Granite City. The surveyor has delineated landmarks such as Green Lake, Crane Lake, tamarac swamps, and Fish Lake, with mile marker lines on the road.

6. Township No. 39 N., Range No. 31 West, 4th Meridian, oilskin map, 1852.

Surveyed by Edwin James, Jr., Deputy Surveyor, demarcating sections held by railroads, prairies, and lakes.

Location

Folder

A2/ov8 Drawer 4

2

7. Untitled and unsigned surveyor’s map of the U.S. Military Road from St. Paul, Minnesota Territory to St. Anthony, Dayton, Clear Water, Sauk Rapids, the tributaries of the Sauk River, Platte River, Mississippi River, branching off U.S. Government Roads, such as at Swan River, followed by Little Falls, Belle Prairies, up to Crow, Wing, and then West to Otter Tail Lake, approximately 1855-1888.

8. Map showing Dean’s addition to Superior, Wisconsin. New York & St. Paul, MN: Holmes, Payle & Buechner, Lithographers of Endicott & Co., approximately 1855.

Land promotion map.

Location

Box

P3311

1

9. Manuscript plat map overlaid to printed sheet for "Bureau of Statistics, St. Paul, MN," and printed text by J.A. Wheelock regarding Todd County, undated, September 7, 1861.

10. Unspecified plat map in pencil and red ink. With platted homesteads of Hamlin, Horn, Foster, and La Fond, undated.

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Location

Folder

A2/ov8 Drawer 4

3

1-2. Autograph letter signed and attached Examiner’s report. Autograph letter signed from B.P. Richardson to S.M. Putnam, County Surveyor, Morrison County, Minnesota Territory County Clerk, April 11, 1857 and 1858.

Location

Box

P3311

1

3. N. Richardson, Morrison County Auditor. School District No. 3. Notice of Establishment Certified, April 25-26. 1858.

4. Warranty Deed between E.S. Bruandage of Morrison and State of Minnesota, and A.J. Brown, September 25, 1858.

5. Signed document that O.A. Churchill would perform all duties of Overseer of the Poor, April 15, 1859.

Signed and attested by F.B. Thompson, Judge of Probate, Morrison County.

6. Autograph letter signed to Jonathan O. Simmons from H. Hayes of Washington City, D.C., December 29, 1860.

7. Autograph letter signed from J.O. Simmons addressed to W.J. Cullen, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, January 24, 1861.

8. Receipt, Little Falls letterhead, that Jonathan Simmons by the hand of P. Simmons had paid the 2.95 for state, county tax, school, and road tax to Little Falls for 1859 and Receipt on blue-tinted paper, Little Falls Letterhead, tax paid by J.O. Simmons of 12.29 for Lot 4, Block a8 to John T. Stilwell, Fare Collector, February 4 and 21, 1860.

Location

Folder

A2/ov8 Drawer 4

3

9. Autograph letter signed and documents from Morrison County Sheriff Henry Monroe: Notice of Publication and Sale of Personal Property, November 26, 1861, February 4, 1863, and March 5, 1863.

Notice of Publication document details the registering of indenture of mortgage made by Little Falls Manufacturing Company of Morrison County (November 26, 1861) and public auction lands and premises in the mortgage sold (February 4, 1863). Sale of Personal Property document includes lists of equipment and assets sold to repay debts as part of chattel mortgage executed on the Little Falls Manufacturing Company (March 5, 1863).

10. Militia roll for Little Falls Township, 1862.

Militia roll of 37 men signed up in Little Falls by J.O. Simmons when he served as the Justice of the Peace during the Civil War. The roll details physical descriptions, naturalization status, and occupation of the various men.

Location

Box

P3311

1

11. License to act as a lawyer in the City of Little Falls (from September 1862 to August 31, 1863), January 10, 1863.

12. United States Internal Revenue license from May 1863 to May 1864 granted to J.O. Simmons to act as a hotel keeper, October 26, 1863.

13. Autograph letter signed from C.E. Cole, Attorney General to J.O. Simmons, Attorney for Little Falls concerning dispute for injunction filed against the County, March 1863.

14-15. Redemption certificates, that lands had been forfeited to the town of Little Falls, and non-payment, March 9, 1863.

Location

Folder

A2/ov8 Drawer 4

3

16. Memoranda of Sale of Little Falls as made by Henry Monroe, Sheriff on July 16, 1863 and lists of plots and lands sold, 1863.

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Box

P3311

1

17. Inventory and agreement to lease and hold all inventory and furnishings for the Northern Hotel, June 1, 1864.

18. Mary Jane Simmons to her father prior to marriage to Alfred Tanner, undated.

Letter from Mary Jane Simmons to her father prior to marriage to Alfred Tanner, who was a local owner of the Milling Co. in Little Falls, Minnesota. Mary writes to J.O. Simmons when he was away in Louisiana, and she expresses her thoughts on her mother and father's opposition to the marriage.

19. Mary Jane Simmons Tanner to Jonathan Simmons, August 29, 1869.

Letter to J.O. Simmons from his daughter regarding the passing of her mother Harriet Simmons, and how her family missed J.O. Simmons and her brothers while they worked in Wilson Point, Louisiana. She also expresses her concerns for her younger brother's health while working in the intemperate climate of Louisiana.

20-21. Two wholesale grocery bills from D.M.G. Murphy and Co. to J.O. Simmons, 1869, 1872.

22. Autograph letter signed on Office of the Little Falls Mill Co. letterhead. Letter from Alfred Tanner to J.O. Simmons about family visiting, January 6, 1871.

23. Autograph letter signed on Nicollet House, F.S. Gilson & Co. letterhead with envelope, January 6, 1871.

The letter regards J.O. Simmons trying to buy 100 head of hogs.

24. Autograph letter signed on letterhead of Edward O. Hamlin. Letter from Edward Hamlin in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Henry Rosich in Little Falls, Minnesota in regards to buying mules, April 29, 1871.

25. Autograph letter signed on A. Tanner, General Merchandise in Little Falls, Minnesota letterhead. Letter from J.O. Simmons to friend Calhoun Hays, January 17, 1872.

In the letter, J.O. Simmons writes to Calhoun Hays, "Tender my resignation as Deputy Register of Deed under your appointment. You have not carried out your pledge voluntarily made that you would quitting intoxicating liquors at the saloons in Little Falls. This you have not done, and more you have been badly under the influence of it."

26. Register of Deeds letterhead for Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota from O.A. Churchill, auditor, March 22, 1872.

27. Autograph letter signed. Legal letter regarding case of homesteader having to prove up his claim, February 24, 1872.

28. Quit-Claim Deed indenture between Lavinia H. Hays and Calhoun Hays, September 2, 1872.

29. Register of Deeds of pencil manuscript concerning legal dispute as to who should be in the offices at the time, April 8-9, 1872.

30. Subpoenas to appear before Simmons as Justice of the Peace, August 5, 1871.

31. William Isaac Jones writing to J.O. Simmons about possible job, September 18, 1879.

32. Funeral notice of Lewis G. Worthington, undated.

33. Daily Mirror letter, October 21, 1876.

Ed. A. Stevens confirming that J.O. Simmons is registered as an independent candidate for the United States Congress.

34. Three whole sale invoices on Noles Brothers & Cutler, Wholesale Druggists, Saint Paul, Minnesota, October 26, 1877.

35. Note from Dr. W.F. Stone to the Simmons family about Jonathan Simmons regarding his health and treatment, undated.

36. The Attorney General Charles M. Strait writes to A. Richardson Esq., County in regards to the coroner, February 27, 1880.

37. Letter from Lottie Simmons on J. Simmons General Merchandise letterhead, October 26, 1881.

38-40. Bismarck property arrangement letters, 1884-1885.

Letters regarding failed property arrangement with niece Laura Wright after J.O. Simmons agreed to pay her $4,000 in 1884.

41. Telegraph to Mrs. E.L. Briggs, Little Falls, Minnesota, August 3, 1872.

42. Letter from Gorman & Smith, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law regarding settlement of legal claim against Peter Raz Esq. of the Northern Hotel of Little Falls, Minnesota, September 2, 1871.

43. Constitution and Bylaws of North Star Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Little Falls, Minnesota, 1878.

44. Blank court summons and security for costs forms, State of Minnesota, undated.

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:: Coroners -- Minnesota -- Morrison County.; County attorneys -- Minnesota -- Morrison County.; Homeopathy.; Justices of the peace -- Minnesota -- Morrison County.; Land speculation.; Land titles -- Registration and transfer -- Minnesota -- Morrison County.; Surveying -- Minnesota -- Morrison County.; Surveyors -- Minnesota.; Vigilantism.; Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877).; Freed persons -- Louisiana.; Plantations -- Louisiana.; Hotels -- Minnesota -- Little Falls.

Persons:: Simmons family.; Tanner family.; Tanner, Mary Jane Simmons, author.

Places:: Little Falls (Minn.) -- Social life and customs.; Morrison County (Minn.) -- Social life and customs.; Wilson Point (La.) -- Social life and customs.

Organizations:: Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians.

Document Types:: Account books.; Deeds -- Minnesota -- Morrison County.; Plat (maps).

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JONATHAN OSCAR SIMMONS III:

OVERVIEW

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

ARRANGEMENT

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

ACCOUNT BOOKS

MINNESOTA TERRITORIAL AND EARLY STATEHOOD SURVEYING AND ROAD MAPS

DOCUMENTS

CATALOG HEADINGS