Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 613.
 
BYRON SIMMONS

     is a native son of Oregon. His birth occurred in the vicinity of Salem, on
September 10, 1872. His father, William Simmons was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana,
and crossed the plains with ox teams as early as 1845. In 1850, the next year
after the memorable discovery of gold in California, Mr. Simmons went thither
and did mining. Later he returned to the Willamette valley and settled on a
donation claim near Salem where he remained until his death. He took the claim
in the early fifties. He participated in the various Indian wars, including the
Cayuse war, and was a stanch Indian fighter. He married Miss Tryphene Havisd,
who was born in Pike county, Illinois. She came across the plains with her
father and the balance of the family, except her mother, who had died
previously. The journey was made in 1853, and when they reached the last
crossing of the Snake river the father died leaving a family of ten children.
Mrs. Simmons was then a girl of fourteen and she had a trying time in caring for
her younger brothers and sisters. However, they reached the Willamette valley in
due time and there she grew to womanhood and in 1855 was married to Mr. Simmons.
Our subject was educated in the Willamette valley and there grew to manhood. He
learned the art of farming and also was skilled in breeding stock. In 1899 he
came to this side of the mountains and sought out the place where he now lives,
which lies about twenty miles west from Condon. He took a homestead and since
then has given his attention to farming and raising stock.
     In 1898 Mr. Simmons married Miss Jane Brown, who was born in Lee county,
Virginia, in October, 1880. Her parents are Richard and Sarah (Love) Brown,
natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. They came to the Willamette
valley in 1890 and made settlement on a farm where they remained until the death
of the father in 1896. To Mr. and Mrs. Simmons three children have been born,
Sarah, Clyde and Valentine.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.